Joanne hung up the phone and tossed it into her car. She wrapped her arms around my neck before she leaned up and kissed me hard. I smiled against her lips and kissed her back. I couldn't believe it was a reality that she had decided to stay. She had chosen me.
Chapter 19
Joanne
"Thank you!" Peter called to the sheriff.
He grinned at us and took off. My cheeks still felt hot. After everything he'd said and as much as we'd kissed in front of that man I was embarrassed as hell. I shook my head when he pulled away before I glanced up at Peter.
"Well, what now?" I asked.
"Well first I need to make sure you know what you just did," he said. "I never wanted you to quit your career for me. Are you sure that's what you want to do?"
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sp; I smiled at him. The concern I saw on his face comforted me. I know that's not what he asked of me, but that wasn't why I did it.
"Peter," I said as I hugged him tightly. "I didn't do that for you. I did it for me. I love kids and I love taking care of them but being a nanny to those stuck up parents who constantly demanded more and more of my time wasn't the career path that I wanted. I always wanted to be a teacher and change kids’ lives. Not someone who watched someone else's kids for them while they screwed around you know?"
"Are you sure?"
I smiled up at him. "I'm more than sure. Although now I'm not too sure what I should do," I said as I scratched my head. "I turned the keys into the realtor and I don't really have a place to stay."
"Is that even a question? Of course, you're going to stay with me until we figure things out."
I shivered. "Good. Your house has that great fireplace and furnace and I'm freezing."
Peter jumped into action. "Give me the keys and climb in, I'll drive. Let's go back to my place and get some food in you and a warm bath before we worry about anything else.
"Sounds amazing," I cooed.
I climbed into the passenger seat and we drove off for his place. My heart hammered in my chest. I couldn't believe I'd decided to stay. I was going to have the man I loved and he would have me. It felt like I'd fallen asleep and was dreaming like a crazy person, but I knew that all of it was real.
Peter loved me. And I loved him. I would be okay for the century just knowing it was true.
Not that I loved the fact that he'd been hanging around another woman. My jealousy was strong and I wanted him all to myself. I was glad nothing happened. I'd almost pushed him into the arms of another woman. I shuddered. Hell no, never again.
I buckled up and Peter started driving my car toward his place. I was almost excited. I hadn't seen his house since he'd dropped me at my mother's and I missed it. I missed his gorgeous dog, his endless land, his cattle, and his cozy house. All of it felt like home in my heart and I wanted to embrace it.
We pulled up and I quickly climbed out. Together, we trudged through the snow that remained as he took my hand and held it securely in his own. Every time he did that I felt so warm and safe in his embrace. I wanted to feel that forever.
Together we walked into his house and I inhaled the familiar scent. It cloaked me in comfort and I wanted to stay there forever. I wasn't quite ready to move in with him just yet, but I loved the idea of it. His house would be my house and we'd sleep and wake up together every day. How amazing was that?
"Joanne," he breathed and I turned around.
"Yeah?"
"I want you."
My body was swept with heat from head to toe. I tugged at the neck of my t-shirt but it wasn't loose enough. Instead, I groaned and yanked off my clothes as I glanced up at him.
"Where?" I asked.
Peter's eyes glazed over. I loved how lustfully he looked at me like he could never get enough. His tongue darted across his lips before he followed my lead and undressed himself. I petted the dog before I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. I needed to heat up first and then he could do anything to me he wanted to do.
Once I was inside enjoying the water, Peter walked in and moved the shower curtain. His eyes focused on my wet, naked body and he growled deep in his throat. I grinned.
"Have I ever told you how much I love wild, mountain man, feral Peter?" I asked. "The way your beard grows or the way you growl when you see me? It turns me on so hard.”