Then he cupped both my cheeks and brought his lips to mine.
“I love that,” I said against his lips.
“What?”
“When you hold my face.”
“Oh?”
“It makes me feel so cherished.”
“You are cherished, baby.”
“I know. Even when you’re gone all the time, I know that, Brad. I never forget.”
I shouldn’t have brought up him being gone a lot. He couldn’t help it, and he was doing his best for our family. I didn’t want him to think about work right now. I wanted him fully in the moment. In this moment. With me.
I wanted an amazing night. We hadn’t had one in a long time.
One way to make myself stop talking?
I covered his mouth with mine.
How long had it been since I’d kissed my husband like this? How I’d missed his warm mouth, his silky tongue, his full lips. Yeah, this making out on a bench thing had been a great idea.
Too many times in the past few years, our lovemaking had been hurried. He’d overlooked kissing me, holding me.
I’d done the same.
We’d make up for all of that tonight.
His bulge was apparent, and I knew what he wanted. I needed more tonight, though. I needed to be held. To be kissed. To be appreciated.
Our kiss was soft but passionate. Though neither of us held back, we both remained aware of our surroundings. This was a time to enjoy each other. To not rush into the act itself, but to remember all the desire and passion of the time we first met.
I still felt that same passion for Brad. I always would.
A groan hummed from Brad’s throat as he deepened the kiss, pulling me closer. Kissing Brad was heaven. Pure heaven.
How long we sat there in each other’s arms, our mouths fused together, I couldn’t say.
When we finally stopped our make-out session, all the other couples on nearby benches had disappeared.
He trailed his lips over my neck, over the tops of my breasts. “Looks like we outlasted everyone else. They’re all in bed now, making furious love to each other.”
“Mmm. I’m looking forward to that,” I said, “but I wouldn’t trade what just happened for anything in the world.”
“Truthfully, neither would I. I’m so sorry, baby.”
“Why?”
“I’ve neglected you. I haven’t seen to your most basic needs. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Oh, Brad.” I touched his cheek, loving his prickly stubble against my fingertips. “I’ve neglected you too. I’m always so tired in the evenings.”
“Being a mother isn’t easy,” he said.
“Neither is being a rancher. This isn’t all your fault. It’s mine, too.”
I hadn’t been fair to Brad. He worked so hard for us. Yes, the boys and I missed him desperately, but we were always in his thoughts. I knew that without question.
“Baby,” he said, “let’s stop trying to blame ourselves and go back to the room. I’m dying to make love to you.”
I sighed and nodded.
Ten minutes later, we were tearing each other’s clothes off in the privacy of our suite.
Brad Steel naked never ceased to amaze me. There couldn’t possibly be a more perfect male specimen than my husband. His broad and golden shoulders, his hard chest with the perfect smattering of black hair, his six-pack abs, and that lovely triangle pointing to his perfect cock.
I gripped him, relishing the heat and the hardness.
“Easy, baby, or it’ll be over before we begin.” He whisked my hand away. “I’m going to make up for some lost time tonight. How long has it been since I’ve tasted that delicious pussy of yours?”
How long, indeed?
I’d grown used to Brad’s graphic language. When we’d first met, it had embarrassed me. I couldn’t even think those words, let alone say them. Now? I could be as brash as he was.
“My pussy has missed your tongue,” I said in a sultry low tone.
“My tongue has missed your pussy.” He led me to the bed and pushed me down onto it. “Spread those long, beautiful legs for me.”
I obeyed without question, my heartbeat already racing in time with the throbbing in my core. Brad’s tongue. Brad’s fingers. Brad’s lips. All down there. All where I ached the most.
“Still as beautiful as ever,” he said, gazing between my legs. “And still wet. Always wet for me.”
Not much had changed over the years. I still craved Brad Steel like I craved air. I always would.
“I’m happy about the new baby, Daphne, but I almost wish we were conceiving her tonight instead. Our last time was so hurried.”
Indeed, it had been. He’d just come home from yet another business trip. It was after midnight, and he was horny. I was exhausted, but I hadn’t been able to deny him. I could never deny Brad Steel. I loved him too much.
Nearly three months ago. My ultrasound had shown I was about ten weeks pregnant.
How had we let three months pass without making love?