“God, I missed you. Please don’t ever run again. Talk to me. Let’s try to work it out. Just give me the chance to fix it.”
“I’m not running. I’m staying right here.”
“In Austin?” He asked.
“No, fool... in your arms.”
Carter took the invitation for what it was and untangled their fingers and lifted her up into his arms.
“Do you need a map, Carter? Go...”
Carter kissed her and chuckled. “I know where to go, Gwen. I just want to make sure you’re ready.
Because when I make love to you, it’s going to be forever. I want to make sure you know this.”
Playing with the hair resting at the nape of his neck, she leaned in and kissed his jaw, nipped it, and then kissed it again.
“I’m sure. I remember someone vowing to have and to hold.”
“And I always keep my promises,” Carter said as he turned the corner and headed left to her bedroom.
“I knew you had snooped.” Her chuckle turned into a whimper when he laid her down on the bed and stepped back.
His body was taut with need, but his eyes were soft with love. She knew they matched hers. She’d wasted five years. She’d been the one responsible for them having other lovers. She couldn’t change the past, but she could change their present and future lives.
“Come here, husband.”
She knew her words had hit their intended target when he knelt before her, unbuttoning the strap around her ankle. He removed her stilettos and ran his thumb up the arch of her foot. His large hands ran up her thighs until he reached the end of the sweater dress she’d put on an hour earlier. Each bit of flesh he exposed, he kissed. When she was completely divested of the dress, he pulled the bra straps off her shoulder and kissed the indention they’d left behind. He kissed her body from head to toe as she lay exposed and vulnerable before him.
“You’re so beautiful.”
“It’s your turn to get naked,” she said as she sat up and pulled him closer by his belt.
“What about dinner?”
“We can call them later. It’s you I want to feast on.”
“I was wondering if this new persona cooked.”
“I haven’t changed that much,” she laughed.
“In here,” he said, rubbing her chest. “You’re the same woman I married... In here”—he placed her hand over his heart—“you’re the woman I want a life with.”
“Good, now make love to me.”
And he did. He kept eye contact throughout their lovemaking, continuing to reassure that he saw her.
As they lay in bed trying to recover from their sexual fog, Voodoo vowed to herself to talk through her worries, fears, and doubts. She wouldn’t close herself up emotionally anymore. With Carter, she’d love him without reservations.
“You’re quiet,” Carter said as he rubbed her arm. They were tangled up together, legs thrown over legs, arms wrapped around waists. They lay there connected as one.
“Just thinking.”
“Should I be scared?”
“A little, maybe.”
“Spill.”