Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Come on, baby, come for me again.”
He moved his hand between my legs, and all it took was a few swipes of his thumb, and I was falling over the edge once more. Lost in the blissfulness that was lovemaking with Declan.
I was still coming down from my orgasmic high when I felt him wiping me with a warm cloth. Still leaning over the counter, I was trying to catch my breath, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Declan was still fully dressed, with just his pants unzipped.
“Wow. That was hot.”
He chuckled. “It was. Sorry I didn’t get undressed. I needed to be inside you.”
I turned and smiled. “Does this look like the face of a girl who’s upset?”
Rubbing his nose against mine, he said, “It looks like the face of a woman who’s been thoroughly fucked.”
I giggled and took my shirt, which he was holding for me. After yanking it over my head, I reached down, swept up the rest of my clothes, and started upstairs. My cheeks were beginning to ache from the smile on my face.
I’d never in my life felt such blissful happiness—and nothing or no one could ever take this feeling away from me.
Declan
I’d never been so nervous in my entire life as I was driving to the lake house I’d rented for the weekend. What happened this weekend could change my life, and Harper’s. We’d only been dating for a couple of months, but in my heart of hearts, I knew she was the one. I think I’d known it my entire life.
“It’s such a beautiful drive up here. I always forget how beautiful it is around the lake. Promise me we’ll come back here in the fall. It’s my favorite time of year.”
“Mine too, and I’ve missed the falls up here.”
I could feel her eyes on me. “I shouldn’t say this, but I’m glad you decided to leave the Marines. It brought you back to me.”
Reaching for her hand, I brought it to my lips and gently kissed her. “I am, too, Harp. I am, too.”
“How did you find this house?” Harper asked, as she settled back into her seat, a sweet smile on her beautiful face.
“Kian told me about it.”
“Really? Did he and Cadie stay here?”
I gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. I didn’t like lying to Harper, but I wasn’t ready to tell her the real reason we were coming here.
“I’m not sure. I think he knows the person who owns it.”
“Look at that view, Declan! It’s gorgeous. If the house has a view like that, I might not want to leave on Monday.”
I chuckled and turned at the next road. We drove up a long, narrow road until my phone told me our destination was on our left.
“Here we are.”
Turning into a driveway, I typed in a code, and the simple black iron gate swung open. The driveway was lined with trees on both sides, hiding glimpses of wide-open, green rolling hills.
“This is stunning!” Harper gasped, leaning forward and looking every which way. “The grass is so green! Look at how beautiful it is. How much land do they have?”
“Twenty-five acres. There are walking trails, so I hope you brought your sneakers. I forgot to tell you.”
Harper was looking out the passenger window. “Is that a stable?” She whipped her head around to look at me. “Do they have horses? And I did bring my sneakers. You actually told me.”
Laughing, I replied, “Good. And no, they don’t currently have any horses on the property.”
“Oh, what a bummer.”
We rounded a bend in the drive and the house came into view. It was a beautiful two-story, turn-of-the-century Colonial Revival.
“Oh my word, look at that house.” Harper hit my arm. “Look at the gardens! Declan! Look at the gardens!”
Laughing again, I said, “They’ve been meticulously maintained to be reminiscent of a Victorian garden.”
Harper gasped as we pulled up and parked in front of the house. “It’s stunning.”
“It has five bedrooms, three of them have en suite baths. There are two bedrooms that have private staircases that were used back when they had servants.”
Turning to me, Harper’s mouth dropped open. “Shut up!”
“Come on, let’s grab our bags and check it out.”
Harper moved so quickly that I thought she was going to hurt herself. We walked up the cobblestone sidewalk flanked by beautiful flower gardens on either side. The outside of the house had been updated some, but it didn’t take away from the style. The front door was painted red, and there was a small front porch. I wasn’t sure if that would be a deal breaker for Harper or not. The back porch made up for the lack in the front.
“Look at the flower boxes on the windows. I just love it!”
We walked in, and we both just stopped and looked around. “Oh my God, it’s the same inside with the Colonial Revival architecture. Look at the coffered ceilings, the wainscoting…and these hardwood floors. Declan, these look like the original floors!”