“I only speak the truth, babe.” Because he did, in fact, know just what it took to push her buttons, he picked up the pace, thrusting into her repeatedly until her body was quivering beneath him and her legs were wrapped around his waist. Then he went for broke and felt her orgasm hit. Bending his head, he bit down on her nipple, making her cry out as she continued to come. Satisfied that she was satisfied, Mac let himself go, too, giving in to the pounding need that she inspired in him every damned time he touched her.

Spent, he collapsed on top of her and loved the way her arms came around him, how her fingers slid through his still-damp hair.

“We didn’t use anything,” she said softly.

“I know.”

“Are we really doing this?”

He pressed his hips against hers. “I believe we already did.”

“You know what I mean, Mac.”

“Yeah, baby,” he said, kissing her. “I know what you mean, and I hope we made another little person who looks just like you.”

“Because God forbid he’s anything like you.”

Chuckling softly, he kissed her again before withdrawing from her.

She took hold of his hand to keep him from getting out of bed. “You know I’m joking, don’t you? I want Thomas and any other son we might have to be just like you.”

“Even if I’m a pompous blowhard?”

“You’re both of those things, but you’re also loyal and faithful and strong and loving and sexy. Very, very sexy.”

Touched by her kind words, he leaned in to kiss her one more time. “Don’t forget funny.”

Laughing, she said, “That, too, although I hesitate to laugh at your outrageousness because that might encourage you.”

“I’m easily encouraged by you.” He cleaned up in the bathroom and brought a towel to the bed to clean her up, too. Then he crawled back into bed with her, wrapping his arms around her. “I might be a pompous blowhard, but I’d be lost without you. You’re the one who makes it all happen.”

“We make it happen together.”

“You think we’ll be celebrating our fortieth anniversary someday?” he asked.

“I know we will. I have no doubt whatsoever.”

With her warm and snug in his arms and her promises of forever together to lull him, Mac closed his eyes and let sleep take him.

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Though he was exhausted from pushing himself to get things done all day, Paul couldn’t sleep. All he could think about was kissing Hope in the store and how it had felt to hold her and kiss her and touch her. He wanted so much more than the little taste he’d had of her.