Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
And then—the brief moment of absolute peace that followed. The only sounds in the room were our heavy breathing and her soft, blissful sighs. The feeling of her tugging at me, wanting me beside her, brought me back to reality. I released her legs, slid from her, and settled on the mattress, pulling her into my arms.
“They did a good job,” I mumbled. “I hope you tipped them well.”
She chuckled, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Not as well as you tipped me.”
I laughed into her neck, nipping at the skin playfully.
“Cheeky.”
I shut my eyes, suddenly tired. Katy curled up next to me, tucked under my chin, her hand on my chest. A few moments later, she was asleep, and I joined her in slumber.
Quiet music played in the background of the kitchen. Katy smiled at me across the table, spinning her wineglass in her fingers. She was dressed in one of my shirts and a pair of yoga pants, looking far younger than her years in the subtle light of the evening. Between us was a plate of cheeses and meats, crackers, and all sorts of pickles and condiments left from the party. We sipped wine and nibbled on the food, basking in the peace. I watched my wife, enjoying seeing her so relaxed. She was artless in her mannerisms, unknowingly sexy.
I stood and held out my hand, taking her in my arms. We moved around the kitchen, our steps in perfect synchronization. I loved dancing with her. She fit under my chin, her soft hair tickling my skin. Her body molded to mine, and she smelled like home. I had always loved her scent and was pleased she’d never changed her perfume. It suited her. It suited me.
She sighed, nestling closer. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and she tilted up her chin. I bent low, kissing her, our mouths moving together in slow, languid passes. Gentle brushing of our lips, soft presses, breathy sighs filled with words we didn’t have to speak.
The patio door slid open, and Heather groaned as she came in, sitting down and pouring a glass of wine.
“Do you two ever stop?” she asked, trying to sound exasperated and failing. “I’m shocked I only have four siblings.”
I chuckled and kissed Katy one last time before drawing back.
I sat beside my daughter, pressing a kiss to her head. “You have no idea how lucky you are we stopped at five of you.”
“Eww.” She pulled a face, then laughed. “No one believes me outside this family when I tell them how the two of you are with each other even after all these years.”
“Passion and love aren’t just for you young people,” Katy said with a wink. “I hope you and Reed have the same passion for each other all your life.”
Heather smiled and reached for her mom’s hand. Katy frowned and met my eyes. “What is it, Heather? Is something wrong?”
Heather shook her head. “No, nothing. I’m excited about tomorrow. It’s easy and simple, exactly what I wanted. I just wanted to come over and say thanks to you and Dad.”
“Thanks?” I repeated. “For what?”
“For not putting up a fuss about tomorrow. For being such great parents. Always supporting me, no matter what I did. I know how lucky I am to have you.”
Tears sprang to Katy’s eyes.
“We got lucky to have you as our daughter,” I said gently.
“You’ve always been so awesome. Even when you gave me shit about Reed, you supported me. You helped Gracie with Jaxson. You never complained about the lack of wedding I wanted, or how simple hers was. You always put us first.”
I shrugged, looking at Katy. “Simple doesn’t mean less important. Your mom and I had a pretty simple wedding. Even when we redid our vows, it was subdued. You love Reed, he loves you. The day is to celebrate that love. How you do it is your choice.” I winked at her to lighten the air. “Besides, the simple wedding is easier on my wallet.”
She and Katy chuckled, knowing I was full of it.
“Penny made up for it,” Katy said with a smile. “Her wedding was anything but small.”
Penny’s husband was English. She’d met him while visiting England on holiday, and they had fallen in love. It was only afterward she found out he was titled and had a castle, where they now resided. Their wedding had been small but lavish, costing me more than both my other daughters put together, even with the groom paying some of the cost at his insistence. There had been a great deal of pomp and ceremony that day, but it had been a lot of fun. Aiden had gotten a kick out of Penny’s new title of Lady Penelope Pulham and had taken to calling her “Lady Peepee” the rest of the trip. Luckily, her husband was amused and had laughed along with Aiden, accepting the teasing for what it was—Aiden’s way of expressing affection. It had stuck as well, and most of the family referred to her that way at times.