All of the logistical problems they faced went out of her mind. She wanted so badly to find a way to make this work. “Oh yes, Greg. It would be my honor.”
He continued, almost as if he hadn’t heard her response. “I know we need to work out logistics, including where to live, but as long as we’re bound together in a solid commitment, we can make those decisions together.”
Tillie smiled. Such an adorable, romantic man. She’d never have guessed it from their first meeting, but at least now they seemed to be on the same wavelength.
“This might seem sudden, but—” His eyes opened wider. “Wait…What? You said ‘yes’?”
“Yes! Of course I did!”
He stood abruptly and wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll make sure you won’t regret this for a moment.”
Catching him off guard charmed her. Now it was her turn to shush him with her free hand. “Shut up and kiss me.”
His gray eyes twinkled. “First, give me your left hand.” He removed her glove and placed the ring on her third finger. She brought it up for a closer view.
“With your love of all things vintage, this old-European cut platinum ring seemed perfect. While it isn’t one of Gram’s, somehow I can see it on her finger.”
“Actually, it’s quite similar to her engagement ring. Of course, she never removed that ring, and I asked that she be buried in it.”
“Perhaps she led me to the jewelry store where I found it.”
The asymmetrical design had two ladders, which prompted her to ask what the significance was.
“While I don’t want to remind you of that nasty fall, if not for your ankle injury and allowing me to take care of you, I’m not sure we’d have been able to get close enough in such a short time. Oh, I’d have been back in the months or years to come—as a guest—but I don’t want to waste another minute of my life without you in it.”
“I did have a problem letting people help me, as if that was some sign of weakness.” She still did perhaps, but relying on Greg and Beckie over the past five weeks had freed her up to pursue this relationship and to be here with Greg at this moment. She stared at the ring again. “But what about the other ladder?”
He grinned. “That one signifies how Gram came down the stairway from Heaven to aid in bringing us together.”
“Oh, I’m so grateful she did, too.” She tilted her hand, and the colors of the falls made the diamonds take on their hues. “What’s this?” A masquerade mask?
“Well, that’s to remind me to promise I’ll never masquerade as someone I’m not. You can count on me to always be up front with you.” Where would her life be now if he hadn’t taken a notion to come to Kentucky and debunk her, though? “I’ll always put you and family ahead of everything else and will be fully present in our relationship every single day.”
Before her heart burst with too much unspent emotion, she pulled him toward her by the zipper of his coat and kissed him again. When they separated, she asked, “How on earth did you find time to shop?” They’d barely been apart.
“I was still in Kentucky. You’d think I’d have searched for hours, but it was as if I’d been drawn right to that online shop. I had it overnight delivered to Karen, and she tucked it inside the basket she gave us. I quickly pocketed it while you were marveling at the snow flurries.”
He’d been planning this for at least a week, maybe longer. “You couldn’t have picked a better way to propose, Gregory Buchanan. I’m going to be pinching myself for weeks to make sure I’m not in a dream.”
“Maybe this will convince you this is real.” He lowered his face to hers and tightened his arms around her. Despite being in a cave made of ice, her body grew warm in all the right places as their lips met and his tongue delved between her lips. His kiss set her body tingling with want and awareness.
He broke away sooner than she’d like, and they both tried to catch their breath as steamy vapors hung in the air between them.
Greg started to replace her glove before she stayed his hand. “I’m not finished looking at it. Don’t worry. My hand’s not too cold. It’s so beautiful!”
He smiled and stepped back to remove the pack and set it on the ground. Opening it, he removed two plastic champagne glasses and handed one to her.
“Sorry, no alcohol or glassware allowed in the park,” he explained.
She grinned. “You didn’t seem concerned about ignoring those trespassing signs.”
Greg shrugged with a grin. “I figure the penalty for breaking this rule will be stiffer than trespassing. Anyway, I brought sparkling white grape juice in a plastic bottle in the hopes we’d be celebrating today.”
She giggled. How could he think she wouldn’t say yes? Okay, maybe she’d let some of her insecurities bubble up, but was it this morning or last night where she’d finally admitted to herself she didn’t want to be apart from him? Perhaps they hadn’t known each other long, but how could one set an arbitrary gauge to measure love? “I’m not much of a champagne drinker anyway. Let me hold your glass, too.” She held out her hand freeing him to pull out the bottle and ceremoniously remove the foil wrapper on the screw top as though it was the real thing before half filling each of their glasses. Some men might choose to be pretentious in a moment like this, but Greg didn’t seem care. Hadn’t she convinced him to play dress up in public? Maybe he was losing his need for proper decorum. If he intended to live with her in Kentucky—yet to be determined—he’d definitely need to be more relaxed.
“To our future.”
They clinked glasses. “To our present, as well,” she said. “I think we’ve worried too much about the past and things beyond our control.”
“Agreed. I intend to remain firmly planted in each moment we have together.”
“Me, too, wherever we are.”
After they emptied their glasses and returned everything to the pack, he gathered her into his arms for one more kiss until the sound of laughter on the other side of the iced-over falls told them their privacy had come to an end. As they made their way back up the slippery stairs, she asked, “When do we tell Derek?”
“Tonight would be perfect.”
“Hon, I love that boy as if he were my own.” Everything was happening so fast, but all the pieces would continue to fall into place. This felt more right than anything she’d ever done before.
Greg smiled, and his love shone from his eyes. “I love you so much.”
“I think that’s been well established,” she said, brandishing the ring on her left hand with a grin before growing serious. She touched the center of her chest. “But the real proof is right here in my heart.”
“Let’s go home. We still have hours before I need to pick up Derek.”
She hoped his near-lecherous grin meant they were about to share his bed, because all of her doubts about whether they could be a couple for the long-haul had vanished when he’d asked her to marry him.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
She said yes!
As Greg drove to the house, he couldn’t contain the sense of joy—and relief—that lingered at hearing her accept his proposal. They ditched their boots by the door, and he built a roaring fire in the living room before pulling her into his arms and tilting her chin back for a kiss. He could spend every minute for the rest of his life kissing her. Maybe they’d be lucky enough to have half a century or more to live and love together.
Trailing his lips across her jaw to her earlobe, he placed nibbles and kisses, lingering a little longer over the pulse at the side of her neck. Her tiny gasp made him hard in an instant.
“Ravish me, Greg.”
He released her ear and put some space between them until he met her gaze with a grin. “I thought that’s what I was doing.”
“Oh! And you’re doing a fine job. I only want to make sure you don’t stop on account of me this time.”
“Music to my ears. Let’s stay in here.” He spread a blanket on the floor and tossed some pillows on it, motioning for her to join him. “This
will be the warmest place in the house right now.”
“I’m not the least bit cold.”
“Well, you might be after I remove all your clothes.”
She reached for the buttons at the top of his flannel shirt. “And I yours. But don’t worry. We southern girls know how to keep our men warm.”
“I thought that was at night?”
“I’m improvising. Work with me.”
He chuckled and let her finish unbuttoning his shirt before he reached for the hem of her sweater and nearly yanked it off of her. Beneath was a long-sleeved T-shirt, which he removed as well. She kept her arms raised, and he saw she still wore the thermal top he’d purchased for her yesterday. He shook his head.
“You told me to dress in lots of layers.”
“Yes, I did. How many more layers might I expect?”
“You’ll have to find out.” Her impishness ramped up his excitement even more.
He made quick work of the thermal and saw the skin of her shoulders and her torso covered in a silky camisole. No bra. Sexy as sin. “Beautiful,” he said, cupping her breasts.
Her somewhat sultry smile excited him even more, if that were possible. “I figured, with that many layers, my skipping the bra today wouldn’t be noticeable.”
“I’m sure noticing now.”
She cocked her head. “Aren’t you going to remove my top for a better look?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. Anticipation is good for us both.”
He’d forced himself to take things slowly until now, but all of the touching, petting, and kissing—not to mention that orgasm he’d given her the night of the break-in—only heightened their desire for one another. Turning Tillie’s passion into a raging fire made him war with himself between rushing and taking his sweet time.
Patience needed to win out. Hadn’t he waited for weeks, condoms at the ready, just in case? Now that they were committed to being together long-term, he planned to savor every second.
Tillie dragged his shirtsleeves down his arms. Apparently, she wasn’t on the same page. Oh hell. Neither was he.
Wait! He needed to seize control now, or this moment would end way too soon for his taste. He did unbutton his cuffs but still wore his long johns. When she reached for the fastening on his jeans, he took her hands and held them behind her.
“Slow down, Tillie.” She looked up at him, furrowing her brow. “I love your enthusiasm, but I’m used to being in charge. If you keep it up, I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to hold off and give you pleasure before taking my own.”
She relaxed, grinning. “Take me; I’m yours.”
The damned woman had no clue how her words affected him. He released her hands, but she kept them behind her back as he bent down to capture her lips in a soul-searchingly slow kiss. His tongue explored her mouth then simulated what he intended to do with other parts of their anatomy before they finished here in front of the fire.
When his tongue retreated, her knees buckled, and he grabbed her upper arms. “Whoa!”
“Greg. Stop tormenting me!”
He chuckled. “Sweetheart, I’ve only begun. First, let’s get you out of the rest of your clothes.”
She reached for her waistband, but he brushed her hands aside. “Allow me.” Kneeling before her, he hooked his thumbs into the waistband and simultaneously dragged however many layers she wore downward. When her lower belly became visible, he placed a kiss below her belly button. Her hiss encouraged him to lick her skin before revealing more of her delightful flesh to his gaze.
The auburn curls he’d had his fingers entangled in their first night in bed together sprang into sight next. Soon he would kiss and touch her there, but chose to wait until he’d rid her of the rest of her clothes. All except the camisole. God, he loved her penchant for sexy underwear.
With her hands on his shoulders for balance, she stepped out of the pants and leggings. He sat on his heels a moment, taking in her beautiful body in one sweep before he met her gaze. Her smile had faded somewhat as she nibbled on her lower lip. How could she be insecure about what he saw?
His hands took her by the bare hips, and he leaned forward to place a kiss on each one, still avoiding her mound. He couldn’t wait to taste her. But with evidence of her slight insecurity a moment ago, he’d made the right decision not to be hasty, instead worshipping her body first and foremost.
He stood and kissed her. “So beautiful. I can’t get enough of you.” His hands stroked the skin bared above the camisole and meandered over the silky cloth to her bare hips. He tugged her to his hardness. “You can feel why I need to take this slowly.”
“I never asked to be taken slowly. I want you inside me, Greg. Now.” When his shaft jolted against her, she smiled, her eyes twinkling with what he interpreted to be a sense of empowerment. If she only knew.
“You are a sorceress. I should have realized I was doomed from the beginning.” He bent to take one erect nipple into his mouth through the satin and nipped. She hissed, and he sucked her and the flimsy cloth into his mouth. Her hands grabbed his head, more to steady herself than to push him away. He nibbled to his heart’s content before switching to the neglected breast and doing the same.
“Please, Greg. This is torture!”
His head retreated with her pebble peak before releasing it in a sudden plop. He grabbed the hem of the last article of clothing and yanked it over her head. He might have heard something tear. Tough. He’d replace it with something new later on. Dragging her onto the pillows and blanket, he drank his fill of her. The golden light cast a warm glow across her skin and the fire lit sparks in her hair—both the locks on her head and below.
“Spread your legs for me.”
She brought her knees up into tents and opened wide for him. Her glistening lower lips called to him like a siren. Lowering himself between her thighs, he held onto one with each hand and brought his tongue down onto her thigh.
“Wait! I need to shower before you—”
“Relax. Your scent turns me on.”
“Oh.”
He could tell she was holding her muscles tight by the rigidity of her legs. He’d see what he could do about that.
* * *
No one had ever done this to her before. She wasn’t sure she liked it, but when he hooked his thumbs and spread her open, his warm breath sent a riot of sensations through her. Her stomach clenched, while her knees tried to squeeze together only to meet the resistance of his head. She must be blushing furiously judging by the heat in her face.
His tongue touched her boldly, and her hips jolted up, heightening the thrill. When one finger entered her then another, she moaned. Between the swirling of his tongue on the bundle of nerves and the fullness inside, she didn’t think she could hang on very long, but wanted this to last.
“Please, Greg. Don’t make me wait.” Tugging on his thermal-underwear top, she attempted to get him to stop and tried to pull him on top of her. He did stop, but only for a moment.
“Clasp your hands above your head and keep them there.”
A thrill coursed through her at his forceful words. Much as he had in bed the night of the shooting, he took control with ease.
She felt the chuckle on his lips, probably at how quickly she’d complied. Clearly, he wasn’t going to be swayed by her inhibitions. She might as well relax and enjoy it as his tongue drove her higher and higher. Panting in tiny breaths, she fought the urge to bury her fingers in his hair. She grabbed onto the edge of the blanket, twisting it in her hands. Her thighs squeezed his head—whether to keep him in place or to hang on, she couldn’t say.
“Oh!” A jolt of electricity passed through her. He focused all of his attention there, and she bit her lip to keep from screaming. The pressure built higher and higher, but he didn’t give her the release she now sought.
“Please, now! I can’t stand it!”
A third finger entered her, and her legs began shaking as her climax built. When his tongue sent her over the edge
, she screamed incoherently, the sound reverberating in her mind long after Greg joined her on the pillow.
“You’re so sexy when you explode for me.”
She gasped for air. “That. Was. Incredible.”
“There’s more where that came from if you aren’t sated.”
She lowered her hands and pushed herself upright. Some disappointment registered on his face before she knelt beside him and began tugging his long johns off. He grinned before helping her rid him of the rest of his clothes.
“Hold on.” He reached for the jeans he’d left on the sofa earlier and reached into the pocket, retrieving a foil packet and rolling the condom onto his shaft before returning to her. “I’ve been carrying a few of these around for weeks.”
That he cared enough to think of protecting her but didn’t force her into anything she wasn’t yet ready for made her heart swell with even more love for him.
His warm hand cupped her breast. “I can’t keep my hands off you anymore.”
“Who asked you to?”
He grinned and pinched her nipple, and she reached for his shaft. “I’d also like to find out what this feels like buried inside me. Deep, deep inside me.” His member throbbed in her hand, and she laughed at the power she held over him.
His hand left her breast and brushed lightly over her skin to her mound. She wasn’t sure she was ready yet, but the instant his fingers stroked her sensitive core, she found herself close to the brink again. Tugging him on top of her, his delicious weight left her wanting more. She waited, spreading her legs open as he settled between her thighs.
His member pressed against her cleft. He took himself in hand and brushed the tip to her bundle of nerves, nearly making her lose her mind. Bringing it back to her opening, he entered her a couple inches, pulled out, and ventured in deeper, each time a little farther, watching her face—for what, she had no clue—until he’d buried himself fully. She expected him to start pumping in and out, but he simply let her body adjust to his size.
The moment her body relaxed, he retreated and re-entered her, setting a pace that left her nerves teetering on the precipice, waiting for release. She hoped she could hold out until after he came. He wedged his hand between their bodies, but she grabbed his wrist.
Jesse's Hideout (Bluegrass Spirits 1) Page 33
