Our New Love

by Melissa Foster

  As the plane touched down, Savannah exhaled a loud breath, and her lips curved up in a smile. He settled the plane to a stop, and after cutting the engine and checking all his gear, he stepped from the plane and touched his fingers to the earth. He’d spent two years hiding from the world after the accident, and it was here he’d found his footing. He considered the mountain theirs, even though they owned only two hundred acres. It was their private oasis, their slice of heaven.

  He came around to help Savannah from the plane just as flurries began to fall.

  “We’d better get a move on up the mountain.” He grabbed their luggage from the back, then reached for Savannah’s hand. She opened her mouth and closed her eyes, tipping her face up toward the sky. He watched her cheeks pink up from the cold as she caught snowflakes on her tongue. He could just imagine her teaching their child to do the same.

  “You’re going to be the perfect mom.” He laughed as she turned a wide grin his way.

  “Why? Because I’m such a child myself?”

  He slung their bags over his shoulder and gathered her in close. “No. Because you never miss out on the little things.”

  “Put the bags down,” she urged, tugging at them as they dropped to the ground. Then she held his hands and said, “Come on, Jack. Do it with me.” She closed her eyes and tipped her head back again while he watched.

  He had no idea how she knew he wasn’t following suit, but without opening her eyes, she said, “Come on! Please?”

  He opened his mouth and tipped his head back, letting the icy flakes melt against his tongue.

  “Doesn’t it feel good? I spend so much time in my law office that it’s easy to forget what snowflakes taste like, or how it feels to dip our toes in a creek. That’s why I do these things.”

  He opened his eyes and drank her in. She laughed as the flurries came faster, flaking on her eyelashes and wetting her cheeks. Jack took in the ground around them, now covered with a sparkling sheen of white, grass and dirt poking through here and there.

  He kissed her chin, which was icy cold. “We should get up to the cabin and bring in firewood.”

  She sighed like a kid who wanted to stay outside and play. “Okay.” She reached for a bag.

  “Oh, no.” He tossed the bags over his shoulders. “You’ve got more precious cargo to carry.”

  They made their way over the hill, and when the cabin came into view, Savannah stopped on the trail and leaned her hand on a tree.

  “Savannah? What’s wrong?” He was by her side, searching her eyes for signs of distress as she gazed out at the cabin with a smile on her face.

  “I’m fine. Don’t worry, Jack. You’ll know if something’s wrong. Look how beautiful it is up here tonight.” She was breathing harder than normal, and Jack could tell she was trying to distract him from noticing it.

  “It’s gorgeous, but we need to get you inside.” He reached for her hand and she clung to the tree, immovable.

  “Just a sec. I’m really tired from the wedding.” She was still smiling, but it didn’t reach her eyes, making him worry. “Stop looking at me like that, Jack. I’m fine. It was a long day, and I’m allowed to be tired.” She reached up and touched his cheek again. “Honey, I promise, I’m fine. Just tired.” She pressed her lips to his and it took the edge off his worries. Sort of.

  They headed inside the rustic cabin. The door opened to the center of the living room–kitchen combination. A stone fireplace took up the wall to their right, and just beyond was a bedroom. They’d already planned to add another bedroom after the baby was born, but they had a while before they needed to expand their cozy hideaway, and they didn’t want to worry about renovations while Savannah was pregnant. Besides, Jack and Savannah both wanted the baby to sleep in a bassinet in their room for the first few weeks, at least, so they could hear every sound he or she made. Jack dropped the bags by the front door and helped Savannah off with her coat and boots.

  “Rest a bit.” He helped her settle onto the couch. “I’ll unpack.”

  He took the groceries they’d brought into the kitchen and put them away, then unpacked their bags in the bedroom. They kept clothing and essentials stocked for spur-of-the-moment weekends away, but he’d brought Savannah’s favorite maternity sleeping shirt, her slippers, and other things he knew she’d want. Jack put fresh linens on the bed and tucked their empty bags in the back of the bedroom closet. When he closed the closet doors, he found Savannah standing in the doorway watching him. Her long auburn hair had grown thicker with the pregnancy and was draped over one shoulder. She looked sexy as hell fiddling with a lock of her hair, her big belly protruding under her maternity jeans and long-sleeved top.

  “You’re supposed to be resting,” he said as he gathered her in his arms. “I was going to chop some firewood.”

  Savannah’s eyes darkened and she licked her lips, sending heat to Jack’s groin. She hooked her finger into the waist of his jeans and said, “I don’t want to rest.”

  He tugged her in as close as her burgeoning belly would allow. “What did you have in mind?”

  She worked the button free on his jeans and unzipped them. “Maybe we could play with your firewood.”

  He laughed under his breath. “You’re so damn sexy.” He wanted to seal his lips over hers and kiss her with all the passion burning inside him. He wanted to strip her bare, ease her sweet heat onto his rigid cock, and love her until she fell asleep in his arms, but he held back, worried about what he’d seen in her eyes a little while earlier on the trail. “I thought you were tired.”

  She slipped her hand inside his briefs and cupped his balls. “Never too tired for love.” She palmed his eager length and stroked, slow and tight, driving him out of his fucking mind and stealing his last shred of control.

  Their mouths came together fast and hungry. He rocked his hips against her hand to the rhythm of each stroke of their tongues. Her hand slid along his rigid length with practiced precision. She knew just how to take him apart. He drew her top over her head and rid her of her bra, setting her full, heavy breasts free. He filled his palms, brushing his thumbs over her taut nipples and earning a greedy moan from his voluptuous wife.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said as he lowered his head to take one breast into his mouth. He licked and teased the way he knew she loved and was rewarded with another pleasure-filled moan as she tugged at his jeans.

  Jack quickly undressed and carefully stripped Savannah bare. He kissed her intensely, cupping her face and angling her mouth so she opened further for him. They kissed the way night fell, slowly at first, then fast and all-consuming. He ran his hands along her ample hips, wider now than when they’d met. He loved the way her body accommodated the life they’d created. Savannah hadn’t complained once about her pregnancy. She’d welcomed it, and they’d experienced all of it together, sharing in the joy of every pound gained, every kick of their baby. He kissed the swell of her full breasts and down the center of her belly as his hands slid along her thighs to the heat between her legs. He knew just how to take her up to the edge, and he took her in another deep kiss as he teased over her wetness.

  “Jack,” she whispered breathily. Her head tipped back and her nails dug into his biceps.

  He nipped and sucked along her neck and felt her breathing grow shallow.

  “Baby, you sure this is okay so close to the end?” He couldn’t help it; he was nervous about anything that might set off early labor or cause her trouble.

  “Jack!” She glared at him. “If you leave me hanging, I swear to God…”

  He laughed.

  She grabbed his wrist and held it exactly where it was. “The doctor said it’s fine.”

  That was all the reassurance he needed to give her what she wanted. He stroked her sensitive nerves with his thumb as his fingers dipped inside, and seconds later she cried out his name, her inner muscles tightening around his fingers. She was so hot, so sexy when she came for him. He nearly lost it just watching her.r />
  As the last of her orgasm shuddered through her, he led her to the bed and lay flat on his back, guiding her over him. They’d had to get creative these last few weeks, and holy hell did creative pay off. They’d made love standing, lying sideways, on chairs, bent over tables. Now, with Savannah straddling him, fully seated on his erection, he caressed her breasts as she rode him like never before. Her hair curtained her face, and she clung to his arms as she shattered around him again and again.

  When she leaned back on one palm while cradling his sac with the other, her gorgeous belly reaching for the ceiling, he thrust in deep. Heat stroked down his spine, igniting the flames inside him, and he gave in to his own powerful release. Every thrust filled her with his love, until she came down over him, and he helped her lie on her side and held her close.

  “I love those pregnancy hormones.”

  She laughed. “I think it’s a Remington addiction. God, Jack, what you do to me. I love making love to you more than anything else in the world. I always have.”

  “I’m equally addicted to you.”

  He kissed her lips, then touched his forehead to hers, breathing in her essence, enjoying the blissful moment.

  Chapter Three

  WHEN SAVANNAH AWOKE the next morning, the fire Jack had started after dinner last night had already been tended to, burning warm and cozy in the fireplace, and Jack was outside chopping wood. She showered and dressed, then perched by the window watching him. Ogling him was more like it. She loved watching the muscles in his arms and back flex and bunch beneath his long-sleeved shirt as he swung that ax. It had snowed a lot last night, at least four or five inches, and she could see from the tracks in the snow that Jack had already gone to check on the plane. It was still coming down pretty hard.

  She knew her husband well enough to realize that when he stopped cold every few swings and looked up at the sky, he was worried about getting stuck on the mountain. When they were dating, it had been fun to be stuck in the snow up here. They’d come just before snowstorms several times with the plan of getting snowed in. But that wouldn’t do this close to the baby’s birth. Jack would be a nervous wreck. In Savannah’s mind, however, this was perfect. She still had at least two weeks, and probably more. What could be better than being here alone with Jack? She’d help him relax, like she had last night. God, she loved being close to that man. Everything he did, everything he said, made her feel loved and desirable. She’d never had a chance to worry about her changing body turning him off. From the very first few pounds she’d put on, Jack had lavished her body with love and attention, and she’d soaked it up.

  He looked around again, then up at the sky, then back at the house. When his eyes found her, he feigned a smile. There was a big difference between Jack’s forced smiles, which she knew were meant to put her at ease, and his real smiles—the ones that melted her heart. She couldn’t wait to see Jack with their baby in his arms, safe and sound. She knew he’d always worry—about her, about the baby, about their safety. He was going to be an amazing father, and she knew all that worry would still be there, but it would just endear him to her even more. She understood why he worried so much. He’d lost so much already, and Savannah loved him enough to help settle those worries down. That was one reason she’d wanted to come to the cabin this last time before the baby was born. She wanted to love him up before the baby arrived and let him know how much she appreciated all that he did for her, for them.

  The next time they came here, they’d have their baby with them and her attention would be divided between the two most important people in her life. The idea of sharing her emotions scared her. Did she have enough love to go around? Or would she always feel stretched too thin? She already loved this baby as much as she loved Jack, but the baby was still inside her and didn’t require her full attention. She hoped and prayed she’d be as good of a mother as her mother was remembered to be, and as good of a parent as her father was. She had no idea how her father, as a single parent, had given each of his children so much attention while also running the ranch. She hoped parenting would be innate and that she was worrying for nothing, but she didn’t want to let Jack down.

  As usual, the thought saddened her. She’d been so young when she’d lost her mother that she only really knew her from descriptions and stories her father and brothers had shared with her. Even after her death, her mother’s spirit had been kept alive through her father’s and brothers’ eyes. That alone told her what she’d missed out on by being born so near the time of her mother’s passing.

  Movement in her belly pulled her mind from those thoughts, and she smiled, pressing her hands to her belly.

  Our baby.

  Tears filled her eyes. These pregnancy hormones were going to do her in as badly as they had at the wedding. She needed to get out of the cabin or she was going to worry over what kind of mother she’d be all day.

  She bundled up in her winter coat and tugged on her boots. She could barely bend over far enough to pull her boots on. At least the baby had sunk a little lower and was no longer living beneath her ribs. She could breathe easier, too. She just couldn’t go very long without having to pee—which seemed like a good idea right now, too, before going outside.

  After doing her business, she pulled her knit cap on, grabbed Jack’s coat and gloves, and joined him outside.

  He cocked a brow at her, stopping the ax midswing.

  “Want to take a walk? I feel cooped up inside.” She held out his jacket, and he set the ax down. A sweet smile lifted his lips as he piled wood in his arms, then leaned in for a kiss.

  “Let me just put this inside. The snow’s really coming down. We should stay close to the cabin.”

  She followed him inside and waited as he piled the wood beside the fireplace and secured the metal screen across the front.

  “I think the mountain air will do me good. I’m a little edgy today.”

  He washed his hands, then wrapped his arms around her and kissed the tip of her nose. “Edgy? Like irritated edgy, or ready-to-have-the-baby edgy?”

  “Like I want to get out of the house and not think about whether I’m going to be a good mom or not edgy.”

  He hugged her closer, and she breathed in his woodsy, masculine scent.

  “You’re missing your mom again, aren’t you?” He gazed sweetly into her eyes as she nodded.

  “A little.” He knew her so well. Not for the first time, and definitely not for the last, Savannah was thankful she’d met a man who understood her emotions and who wasn’t afraid to express his own.

  “Oh, angel.” His eyes warmed as he pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss. “You’re going to be the most amazing mother. You put everyone else ahead of yourself. Always. You love completely, with your whole heart. And you had the best role models a person could wish for. You’ll see.” He hugged her close, and her eyes dampened again.

  Damn pregnancy hormones. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

  “Baby, your mom is smiling down on you, so proud of the woman you’ve become. I can feel it in my heart. You’re probably just nervous because we’re going to meet our baby soon.” He rubbed her belly. “Baby Hallelujah.” He smiled with the tease.

  “You are so not naming this child.”

  A few minutes later they were bundled up and making their way up the tree-lined trail hand in hand. Snowflakes continued to fall, giving the bright afternoon a crisp, magical feel. Long spiny branches wore rich layers of snow, like white gloves over graceful fingers.

  “Watch your step,” Jack said, when his heavy boot kicked a rock. He kept one hand on Savannah’s back as they wound their way up the mountain.

  When they reached their favorite overlook, Savannah felt out of breath. “Jack, I need to rest.” Savannah stepped beneath the thick umbrella of trees that shaded the boulder where they usually sat.

  “Hold on.” Jack brushed off the snow and then eased her down. “We’ve gone far enough. I don’t like you out here in the elements fo
r too long anyway.”

  Savannah rolled her eyes. “I’m pregnant, not on my deathbed. You don’t need to hover over me.” She reached for his hand and pulled him closer. His broad shoulders split the sun, casting a shadow over her face. “I love you, and I love that you worry, but you’ve taught me to honor my body.” She smiled up at him. “When I’m tired, I rest. When I’m hungry, I eat.” She slipped her finger into the waist of his jeans, earning a seductive smile that softened all of her man’s rugged edges. “And when I’m horny, I play with you.”

  He lowered his lips to hers and she tugged him closer, causing him to stumble. His hands landed on the rock on either side of her. He nudged her legs apart and moved between them. They fit so perfectly together, like two pieces of a puzzle. His tongue swept over the seam of her lips and she opened up to him, fisting her hands in his thick hair and deepening the kiss. She wanted to disappear into that kiss for the next two weeks, until they woke up with their baby in their arms.

  Snowflakes cooled on their cheeks, and as their lips parted, snow fell harder. They both looked up toward the bright white sky. Jack’s knit cap and the ends of his dark hair were covered in a sheen of white.

  “We’d better head back.” Jack reached for her hand, lifting her gently to her feet. Savannah’s body swayed against him.

  “Whoa.” She settled her hands on the backs of her hips as a dull ache spread across her lower back. “I must have been sitting for too long. Hold on.” She rubbed at the ache.

  In the next breath Jack’s strong hands were massaging the pain away. Concern was written in the grooves mapping his forehead. “Better?”