by Maggie Ryan
Cory felt so good he wanted to just stay inside of her, but he'd had enough warnings about condoms coming off as he softened to force himself up and off her. After dumping the condom, he pulled the blanket out from under her and crawled in beside her, covering them both up.
Her warm body plastered against him as he stroked her back, murmuring nonsense words. She trembled in his arms, and Cory hoped it was more than just the incredible orgasm they'd both just had. As Kenzie relaxed against him and her breathing evened out, he could no longer keep his thoughts within. Pressing his lips right up to her ear, he whispered, "Kenna Zie Langley, I love you."
For a moment there was silence, and then she began to shake again. "Kenzie?"
She pulled her head back, and her eyes were filled with tears. "I love you, too," she murmured. Beaming at her, he kissed her lightly. As soon as he pulled back, she snuggled back into his embrace, her breathing deepening quickly. As she fell asleep, the words she'd called out earlier suddenly settled in his brain. "I love you, Cory."
Unable not to, he held her tight all night long.
It looked like it was about time he had that talk with his parents about buying stock in Corbin's Bend. He couldn't imagine living an hour apart from the woman in his arms for much longer. Cory wanted Kenzie here in Corbin's Bend with him and the people he loved. She didn't know what to expect from a family, as hers had been so dreadful, but he and other residents could show her, could help her understand that family was a good thing.
And they could begin their lives here, where they could be just who they were.
Cory couldn't imagine any other gift that could outdo this one. Before she left on Monday, he'd see if she was willing to think about it. If she was, then he would set this ball in motion.
As he drifted off to sleep, a very pleasant thought occurred to him.
"We could be in our own home by spring."
"Got everything?" Cory asked, as Kenzie slid behind the wheel.
Turning to look at him, she shook her head, pouting. "Nope. You're staying behind."
Grinning, he leaned in and kissed her. "I'll miss you, too. But you're coming up for Christmas Eve and Christmas, and I'll be in on Saturday for my regular run. What time are you working?"
"Two to close."
"Great. How about I get there around nine?"
"Eight?" she asked, with a cute giggle making him chuckle.
"Eight it is. I love you." Those three words felt wonderful to say.
"I love you, too. And in a few months, maybe I can get a job here in Corbin's Bend so I don't have to drive so far."
Her excitement about moving in together had just fed his own, and most of the weekend they had spent in bed. In between snuggling and touching, they'd talked about moving in together and, while she was worried, she was obviously excited as well, and Cory was ready to take the next step.
With one more kiss, he forced himself to back up and close her door, waving as she backed out of his parents' garage and drove off. With an eye to the clouds, which were building again, he grabbed the snow shovel and started shoveling the drive and walk around the house.
Wheels crunching on the snow made him look up, and he waved as Brent pulled his 4x4 into their drive. "Hey, Brent," he called, walking up to the truck.
"Cory," Brent's deep voice said, as he hopped out. "Sorry I wasn't able to come by earlier. Is your girl still here?"
"You just missed her."
"Damn. I had hoped to meet her. How did your weekend go?"
Cory couldn't keep the smile from his face. Brent's answering chuckle made it widen. "Good to see."
"Hey, while we're talking about Kenzie, I need to come pick up some paperwork next week."
"Paperwork?"
"Yeah. I think it's time to buy a stake in the town and…" Cory felt his smile grow even wider. "We need to get Kenzie's application stuff done."
"You're moving in together?"
"Yep."
"Congratulations!" Brent smacked him on the shoulder. "That's fantastic. I wish I'd been here before she left. Benjamin and Jonathon had nothing but good things to say about her."
"She's pretty fantastic."
The chuckle from the man in front of him would have embarrassed Cory had it come from anyone else, but he'd always looked up to Brent Carmichael, and knew it wasn't meant unkindly. In fact, the man looked pleased. "Good for you, Cory. Good for you."
"She'll be here for Christmas day, though. Will you and Char be here?"
"Nope. We're spending it with my folks. We'll set up a time when the two of you can come up for dinner. Might be less nerve-wracking for her than to meet me at the dome."
They chatted for another ten minutes and, after a promise to drop off the forms the next day, Brent left.
After pouring gravel on the walk and drive so it wouldn't get too slick, Cory packed the shovel away and closed the garage down before heading back into the house. The ringing phone had him dashing upstairs.
"Hello?" he said, not having checked the caller ID as he was afraid he'd miss the call.
"Hey." Kenzie's soft voice made him smile.
"You okay?"
"Yep. I just miss you."
Grinning madly, he kicked his shoes off and plopped onto his bed. "Yeah, I miss you as well. But I've already talked to Brent. He'll get me the forms tomorrow. Getting ready for work?"
"Yeah. With it being the Monday before Christmas, it's gonna be hideous. But that should make the time go faster. Cory?"
Something in her tone made him wonder what was wrong. "Yes?"
"Can you call me Kenna again?"
Someone else might not understand, but he did. She hadn't allowed anyone to call her by her first name in years, preferring to keep it to herself.
"Kenna, I'd love to."
Her sigh met his ears and he grinned again, imagining the expression on her face.
"Two days to see you again."
"It'll go by in no time."
"Yeah," she said with a giggle, "but we won't be able to have fun because your parents will be there."
His mouth gaped open as he realized she was right. "We can cuddle," he insisted. "And we can at least sleep together."
"That's true." There was a long pause before she whispered, "I'd better go. See you soon."
"Love you."
"Love you, too, Cory."
As he placed his phone on the side table, he spotted the gift she'd brought with her. Reaching out, he picked it up, his fingers sliding along the indentations. A knight on horseback, complete with chainmail. The statue was gorgeous, and he knew it had to have cost her a bit. She'd been so excited to give it to him, though. "A knight for my knight," she'd said, holding out the gift bag to him the night before.
Cory had never considered himself a knight in shining armor, but he rather liked that she thought of him that way. It made him feel strong. He wanted to take care of her and protect her from harm.
A buzz came from his phone and he reached for it, still holding the statue. A text from Kenzie… No, a text from Kenna.
Five hearts followed by the words: I love you, Cory Denison, my knight.
Grinning, he leaned back, responding with I love you, Kenna Langley. It won't be long.
Realizing he had a few things he needed to do, including going down to Ange's Angel Cakes and ordering a dozen profiteroles with a huge side of chocolate sauce, he put the statue back on his side table and got up. Kenna had loved the sweets when he'd bought them on Saturday. He planned on spoiling her this holiday season. Cory had the feeling she'd never been spoiled before.
He was just the man for the job.
Thianna D
Thianna loves to read and write; likes to say she’s eclectic, fun, and just a bit naughty. One of her passions is erotica; stories that capture her interest, characters that capture her attention, and sex that turns her attention upside down until she is panting along with the characters themselves. She writes erotica and erotic romance with both M/F and M/M m
ain characters.
As the creator of and acquisition editor for the Corbin’s Bend spanking romance series, she wants to know: Who else wants to be safe, secure, and spanked in Colorado?
Don’t miss the rest of the Corbin’s Bend Series!
Welcome to Corbin’s Bend
Return to Corbin’s Bend
At Home in Corbin’s Bend
Corbin’s Bend Homecoming
Love in the Rockies
Connect with Thianna D:
www.thiannad.com
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