NOAH

Vonnie’s car wheels crunch over the gravel in our driveway just as I add the final touch to my surprise. I force a calming breath into my lungs and glance out the window. Vonnie parks next to my truck and steps out. I smile as she gives a stretch, her delicate fingers reaching for the sky, before shutting her door and walking toward the house.

We built a house a little bit outside of town, near my family’s property, a few years ago not just because we needed more space, but to be closer to the land we both love so much. We also craved the quiet of the country. Vonnie spends 12 hours shifts delivering babies and doing prenatal care in a busy hospital, and as the sheriff, my unpredictable and hectic shifts require stamina. Both of us need time away from the bustle of town so we can recharge and spend time with our growing family.

I meet Vonnie on the porch, the crisp autumn air sharp on my face.

Her eyes brighten, then she gives me that adorable look of scrutiny. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

I laugh, and extend my hand.

“Are the kids okay? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, I’m just excited to see you.”

She takes my hand and I pull her to me. Her blonde hair is tucked into a tidy bun at the base of her neck and she’s still dressed in her sneakers and scrubs, but she’s just as beautiful right now as she is in a sundress and heels, if not more so. Because the light inside her only gets brighter with time. It’s one of the many things I love about her.

“Wait, where are the kids?” Vonnie asks.

“Dev took them to pizza followed by movie night at his place,” I reply, raising my eyebrow.

Surprise fills her eyes. “I see.”

I caress the side of her face, and kiss her. Our lips touch in a tender embrace.

“Mmm,” Vonnie sighs as our kiss deepens. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” I kiss her again, my blood heating. I slip my hand into hers and tug her toward the door.

Inside our house, Vonnie gasps. “Noah, what…?”

I smile. Our two-story farmhouse is simple, but welcoming and spacious, with lots of windows so we never miss a glimpse of the mountains, valley, or the stars, a sunrise.

Seeing it lit up by the dancing firelight from the river-rock hearth and the candles I placed on each stair leading to our room makes my heart feel almost painfully full. This is our life. Our family. Our future. Our love that we grow and cherish every day.

“It’s not our anniversary,” Vonnie says, draping her arms around my neck, still looking confused.

“I know,” I reply, and kiss her softly, desire thrumming in my bloodstream.

“Or my birthday,” she adds, her eyes fluttering open.

“I know.” I caress down her shoulders to her waist, savoring her soft, strong body.

“Wait, we said no more babies, remember?”

I laugh. We did agree. Mostly because the three we’ve made have been so hard on her, and our last one, Camilla, came so early that Peter asked us to seriously consider closing up shop.

“Then we’ll just practice,” I say to tease her. We took the news hard but quickly refocused that energy on gratitude. Four amazing kids is enough for a lifetime of joy.

“Mmm,” she says, “It’s been awhile since we went all night.”

Gently, I stroke over her backside. “Do I have your attention now?”

She replies by kissing me, her tongue giving mine a teasing little hello.

I swirl my tongue with hers, my pulse starting to pound. “I need to get you upstairs, before I turn into a caveman.”

“I happen to like that caveman,” she replies, her breaths coming faster.

“I love you, Vonnie Tucker,” I say, caressing the scoop of her lower back.

She sighs. “I love you too. Now take me to bed.”

In one swoop, I lift her into my arms and carry her to the stairway. “So, tonight is just…because you love me?”

“Yep. And because it’s been too long since I took proper care of you.”

She laughs. “You take proper care of me every day.”

I step onto the landing and follow the candles to our bedroom. “Then I’m going to take extra incredible care of you tonight. Starting with a nice, hot bath.”

She curls into me and sighs. “That sounds amazing.”

Our bedroom is lined on one side with a giant window and a sliding door that leads to a patio. It faces the White Cloud mountains, which aren’t as dramatic as the Sawtooths, yet the rusty red and pearly white bands of jumbled rock are just as pretty, and our view is unobstructed—only the green foothills and forest, and the clouds. I continue into our adjoining bathroom and set Vonnie on her feet. The candles I lit earlier flicker in welcome. I sit on the edge of the tub and turn on the water, testing the temperature with my fingertips until it’s just the way she likes it. Then I add her favorite citrus-scented bubbles.

“I want you to get in and relax.” I help her undress. She used to be somewhat shy about letting me drink her in like this, but she knows that I love every part of her, even the hurt places that scarred her. I’ve kissed every inch of her in appreciation of the beautiful person she is. Inside and out.

I kiss her forehead and help her into the tub. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

She gives me a tender smile, then closes her eyes and sighs.

Downstairs I put the final touch on our simple dinner—a cheesy chicken taco casserole my mom turned us onto during her last visit—then add it to the oven. While adding more wood to the fire, the light catches the row of photos on our mantle, and I take another moment of gratitude for our beautiful children, our friends, and family. There’s a picture of Dev getting sworn in as a Rogue County Deputy, and one of Dad at his retirement party, looking proud.

Then one of me, Seth, and Elliot in battledress at the end of our final tour together.

Vonnie and I on our wedding day takes center stage. I have her cradled in my arms as I deliver a bone-crushing kiss. Behind us is a mountain summer sunset with bold magenta and fiery orange.

Pictures of Vonnie’s sisters and brothers and their families also crowd the shelf. There’s one of Vonnie and her mom, who passed away a few years ago from cancer. Before she passed, she made one final visit to Penny Creek. I’m grateful she was able to meet Kenzie, Quinn, Skye, and Cammie. Losing her was tough, but Vonnie said it helped to know that her mom was finally at peace. Vonnie’s put up a framed photo of her father, Timothy, his bright eyes so full of mischief. It’s a look I see in our younger son, Skye.

I gaze at this representation of the life I’ve built with my partner, my heart so full it’s going to burst. To think I almost didn’t take the chance of keeping Vonnie in my life. To think I almost let her go.

I grip the mantle as the fire crackles and pops below. It’s too much to even fathom. Vonnie is mine, now and forever. And I will never let her go.

I check the fire one last time to make sure it’ll burn slow for the next while, and turn away. As I ascend the stairs, I blow out the candles—wouldn’t want to burn the house down—then stroll down the hallway.

When I pad into the bathroom, Vonnie smiles. “There you are. I was starting to feel a little lonely.”

I yank off my shirt and unbuckle my jeans. Her eyes fill with heat as I slide everything off.

“Dinner’s in the oven. I have exactly one hour to help you not feel lonely.” I step into the tub, being careful not to slosh too much water over the side, and settle in across from her. The hot water feels so good, but sharing this intimate space with Vonnie makes it perfect. In the candlelight, her skin glows a soft pink and her pretty blue eyes sparkle. I take one of her feet in my hands and gently rub the arch. She’s been on the go for twelve hours, so I know how tired they are.

She groans.

I work her arch, moving my thumbs in tight circles. “How was your day?”

She starts rubbing the outside of my thigh with her other foot. “Good. No emergencies. No helicopter flights. I delivered two healthy humans and saw nine soon-to-be moms. Tess and Peter say hi.”

“How’s Tess doing?”

Vonnie smiles. “Cranky, poor thing. She’s a week overdue.”

“I’ll bet Peter could help with that.”

Vonnie rolls her eyes. “He says he’s doing his part.”

I squeeze along each of Vonnie’s delicate little toes.

She groans. “God you’re good at that.”

“I’ve had lots of practice.”

“Lucky me,” she says.

I switch feet, and Vonnie sighs in bliss.

She rubs the foot I just released against my thigh. This gentle, tender contact sends pleasure ripples up my chest. It’s also making me hard as stone.

“Oh, Cora called. You didn’t tell me she took a job in Alaska?”

I give a soft grunt. “It’s not my news to share.”

“Even though her boss will be your best friend?” Her lips make a little twitch.

I rub down to her heel and circle the tight tendon behind her ankle bone. “Especially so.”

“Just because they hooked up once years ago doesn’t mean they can’t work together. Your sister is the best campaign manager this side of the Rockies. She got you elected.”

“Ouch. I like to think it was my charm that got me the job.”

She smiles. “You’ve made a great sheriff. My point is just that Cora is good at what she does. Seth is smart to hire her.”

I don’t reply, because the whole thing makes me uneasy. After Cora and Seth hit it off at our wedding, the two of them stayed in touch, then when Seth visited a few years ago, he and Cora apparently hooked up. My sister hasn’t had the best luck with relationships. Seth has been sowing his oats as long as I’ve known him. I don’t want either of them to get hurt.

“Cora’s capable of taking care of herself,” Vonnie adds.

“It’s not her I’m worried about,” I reply with a sigh.

Vonnie gives me a kind look. “Will you ever stop taking care of the people you love?”

I smile. “Nope. So tomorrow, after I make you breakfast in bed, then have you for dessert, what would you like to do?”

Her soft gaze sharpens. “How long do we have?”

“Dev said he and Peyton are good until dinnertime.”

“We have the whole day?”

I laugh and rub the pad of her foot in firm, slow circles. “Yep.”

“Hmm,” she says, and sighs. “We could ride to the upper meadow.”

“Uh huh,” I say, because this was on my list too. “Take a picnic?”

“Ooh, yes please,” she says with a delighted wiggle. “Especially if it includes a blanket.”

I kiss her foot. “Oh, my lady. I do believe you have stolen my heart.”

“It’s only fair,” she says with a cheeky grin. “You have mine.”

I roll forward, and scoop under her thighs so I can kiss my way up, giving my favorite patch of freckles my full attention. Then I lift each knee over the edge of the tub.

“Lay back, sweet girl,” I say, kissing closer to where she needs me.

She moans as I glide up her soft pussy with my tongue. She’s warm and plush from the water. Her thighs tremble, but she complies, bracing her arms on the edge of the tub so she’s fully open for me.

Over the years, we’ve perfected this to an artform. Sometimes speed is of the essence because we’re tired, or we’re carving a quick moment alone together, but tonight, I take my time. Caressing her, pleasuring her. I start slow and work faster, the pressure more firm as she gets closer.

“Noah,” she gasps, arching her hips to get me closer.

“Come for me, chérie,” I say, then flick my tongue on her clit to drive her crazy.

She grips the edge of the tub, quivering with need. “Yes, oh God…please.”

I deliver a series of firm caresses, focusing my attention where she needs me.

Vonnie comes in a series of sharp cries, ringing like music in my ears.

I slow but don’t stop.

“Noah,” she moans, her body quivering. “I can’t.”

“One more, precious.”

She groans again, her knees locking around the tub edge. “Ohhh. That feels so good.”

“You take all the time you need.”

She’s still breathing hard. Her eyes close and she quivers. Slowly, she starts to rock, her hips rising to my mouth. Her inner fire comes alive. I coax it higher, patiently waiting for it to explode. When finally, she lets everything go, screaming my name, her fingers gripping my hair, I hold her there, my heart beating out of control with desire.

But I don’t let us rest for long. As soon as her aftershocks soften, I kiss her belly and lift her in my arms. She curls against me, limp and sated. But it won’t be long before she’s begging for me again. I dry us both off, taking special attention to lavish her with soft kisses that get her squirming, then lead her into the bedroom.

The last of the sun’s rays has touched the tips of the peaks with gold. Just another reminder of how lucky I am.

“I need you, baby,” I say, and cradle her back to my chest. I caress her breasts and kiss her neck.

She reaches her arms up. “I need you too.” Her body shudders as I touch her.

I urge her onto the bed. “I’ll try to be gentle.”

She groans. “Don’t be. I want you half-crazy.”

Fucking hell, I’m going to come in my hand if she keeps talking like that.

I get her on the bed and fold her so she’s on her knees and forearms. “Arch your back.”

She complies, exposing her heart-shaped pussy, still plush from my attention in the bath. I lick my fingers and touch her. She’s soft and wet. Her thighs give a tremble.

“Yes,” she whispers.

Gently, I thrust two fingers inside her. Slowly but firm. Just the way she likes it.

She lowers her head between her arms and groans.

I pump her and stroke her until she’s ready, then climb onto the bed behind her. With my hand around my root, I glide into place against her, and thrust inside. Her tight, plush walls  wrap around me.

“Fuck, sweet girl,” I say, rocking my hips back, then forward, harder this time. I reach for her waist with both hands to steady myself. I pump again, getting all the way inside.

“Noah,” she gasps, her fingers fisting the quilt and her forehead pressing into the bed.

“You like me deep inside you like this,” I say, thrusting again.

“Yes.”

“Half crazy.”

“Yes,” she groans.

I grip her waist harder, my thrusts firm and sensual. God she feels good. Every time I think it can’t get any better—that we can’t get any better at this. And each time I’m wrong.

I caress her back and thrust firmly, connecting to the deepest part of her. Making our love transform into something visceral and raw, full of hope and desire. Ours is a connection that I will protect and cherish for as long as I live.

Vonnie comes with a cry. I hold her there as she pulses around me. Then in two thrusts I join her, our bodies as close as they can be. Locked in a bond that will never break. A connection built on love and trust, one that grows every day.

I fold over her, kissing her spine with soft brushes of my lips. We breathe together, our skin moist from what we’ve shared. And then I slide out of her and fold her into my arms. I lay down on the bed with her on my chest, and savor the last of the high and the tenderness and fire I feel for this woman, for our life and our future.

It’s a life and future we’ve created, and one I believe in with my whole heart.

***

Thank you for cherishing Vonnie & Noah with me!

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