I leaned in for another quick kiss. “Only because I wasn’t sure if she’d let me back to see you.”
“I can’t let you out of my sight.”
“Yes, you can.”
Now we were in her bed, bodies entwined, relaxed from an intense round of catch-up sex that had started on the kitchen counter and ended in the bedroom. I couldn’t help but smile as I took in her flushed cheeks, her sparkling green eyes, shiny blonde hair spilling over the pillow beside me. I still couldn’t believe this amazing creature came out of nowhere to be so right for me. How she’d barged into my life, snatched my heart, and changed everything.
“What are you thinking?” Her voice was soft as she leaned up to kiss my lips.
“How much I love you,” I said, kissing her back.
She smiled and breathed a little laugh. “You are very charming, Mr. Knight.”
“You are very sexy, Ms. Merritt.” I leaned down to kiss her neck and noticed her breasts needed attention. Naturally, I slid down to kiss them as well.
“Mmm…” Her fingers slid through the sides of my hair, and I turned my face to rest my cheek against her heart, listening to it beating in her chest. Different, better, real.
* * *
Our weekends felt shorter every time we were together. On Sunday after breakfast, we went down to the shore before I had to leave again, and I could tell by her quiet mood, the distance was on her mind.
“What are you thinking?” I said, stopping our walk and pulling her into my arms.
She didn’t answer at first. She placed her chin on my shoulder and looked out at the waves, the soft breeze blowing her hair back. I kissed her temple and whispered in her ear, “Tell me.”
She met my gaze. “I was actually thinking about the school and my job.”
“You’re so good at it. I was very impressed.”
A little smile crossed her lips. “I do love it, but I’m so distracted this year.”
“Why?”
“My thoughts just go to the most unexpected places.” My arms were still tight around her, and she shook her head, looking down. “There’s a little boy, Cooper, in my class, and he has this light brown hair and hazel eyes. He’s so cute, and every time I look at him, I catch myself thinking of you.”
I kissed her cheek. “You want to play sexy teacher?”
“Not like that,” she laughed a little, but her voice was thoughtful. “I think about how he could be yours.”
I smiled and kissed her for
ehead. “I’m pretty sure I don’t have any children.”
“But you will.”
“Wait…” The realization of what she was saying hit me then. “You’re thinking about my children?”
Her cheeks turned the softest shade of pink. “I don’t know,” she said. “Cooper just made me think about it.”
“When I get back I’m going to talk to Derek about relocating to Wilmington.” The idea had been in my head, but I wasn’t ready to say the words until now. “I’ll get my own place, of course.”
“What?” Her brow was lined, but her eyes were shining. “You’d do that?”
“Yes.” Nothing had ever felt more certain in my life. “I like the coast, I can telecommute easily—”
A smile curled the side of her mouth. “You like the coast? That’s your reason?”
“And I’m in love with you.”