60. Dusty

Marnie lives in an old neighborhood. It’s not flashy, but every house on the street is well cared for. I follow her up the porch, interested to see where she lives.

Anxious to see this part of Marnie.

She flicks on a light, throwing her keys on an end table. A smile curves my lips. This is Marnie in a nutshell. Southwestern rugs cover the wood floors. There’s an eclectic mix of modern art and framed vintage posters hanging on the walls.

And plants spring from every flat surface. I stop to examine a plant that reminds me of a mini palm tree. “Who’s been watering your plants while you’re gone?”

“Renata.”

She lingers by the back of a vintage couch, her fingertips balanced lightly on its velvet surface.

It’s jarring to realize that while she’s been carving a place for herself with me in Silver Bend, this was all waiting for her in Lincoln. On hold, ready for her to come waltzing back. She has a ready escape route.

If she leaves me, I’ll have nowhere to run to. No house in the city waiting for my return.

I’m tied to Silver Bend. And I’m trying to picture going back to the way things were, to a time before this freckled beauty came into my life, and it occurs to me that there’s no going back. I can’t stop her from going. And I can’t stop her from taking a piece of my heart with her when she goes.

She closes the distance, flattening one hand against my chest, she reaches up to smooth the frown lines between my brows.

My hands go around her waist. I tug her closer, kissing her hard.

It’s almost impossible to picture life after Marnie. But I cannot, will not, ask her to stay with me. She’s this amazing, gifted woman with so much potential.

And I’m just a regular guy.

If she chooses me, I’ll make it worth her while. God knows I will.

I’ll spend every day earning her love.

I’m a selfish guy, but not so selfish as to put what I want into words. So, I show her.

I show her with my kiss, with the way I hold her.

Lifting her onto my hips, I wrap my hands around her ass. “Which way to your bedroom?”

She grins, nodding over her shoulder. “Down the hall.”

Marnie’s room has more plants. Enough candles and crystals to supply a witch’s coven. Her bed is soft and plush, covered by a fluffy, white duvet.

Setting her down next to it, I keep my eyes locked on hers while her fingers brush along my shirt’s hem. She drags it upward, fingernails scratching lightly at my stomach. I tear it off, tossing it to the side. She’s got those soft, warm hands pressed against my chest. I wonder if she can feel the way my heart is hammering against my chest.

I think I love her.

I know I love her.

Her fingers work at the button on my jeans, dragging down the zipper. My fingertips skate over her smooth shoulders, easing those narrow straps down her arms. She isn’t wearing a bra, so the fabric cascades past her chest, catching on her waist. I shove it down, exposing black lacy panties.

My cock is hard and heavy, pressing against my jeans which still hang on my hips. I can’t wait to sink into her, to have her thighs around my waist.

A thought occurs to me and my fingers falter, pausing on her hips. “Do you have condoms?”

“Yeah.”

She admits, biting her lower lip. “Probably not the right size, though.”

Being well-endowed is a blessing and a curse sometimes. “Shit, I wasn’t thinking.”

Her fingers trail up my stomach, tickling my abs. “It was a while back, but we talked about getting tested. Did you ever do that?”

“Did I ever do that? I went the next damn day. It came back all clear.”

She tilts her head. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

I let my hands slide around her back, fingers splaying wide. “I didn’t want to pressure you.”

“I went, too. It’s all good. So… we can skip it?”

“I’m more than okay with that if you are.”

She grins, but those amber eyes are dilating. Her body is melting into mine. “Yes, please.”

I’m walking her forward, forcing her up against the side of the bed. “I’ve never fucked anybody without it.”

She lets me lift her onto the mattress. “Me either.”

“I guess that makes it a first for both of us.”

She grins, biting that lip so hard her teeth dimple its plush surface. “Think you can handle that, cowboy?”

“Honestly? No. I’m one spark away from combusting right here on the spot.”

I lean my forehead against hers. “But I’m damn sure going to try.”