She climbed to the attic, entering it through a door in the upstairs hall. As she picked up a box, she looked around the space. Dormer windows faced each direction, and the wide-planked wood floor was sturdy. With a little paint and some furniture, it would make a great playroom for kids. She noticed with a little hiccup in her heart that she’d thought kids. Plural. One wasn’t enough, but more children depended on what happened between her and Zach.
With a hopeful sigh, she headed down. She was outside Austin’s room when she tripped over the edge of a rug. Surprised and struggling to keep her footing, she let go of the box. It crashed to the floor, its contents spilling out.
Instantly, Zach was in the doorway of Austin’s room with the sleeping boy on his shoulder. His mouth opened to speak, but she gestured for him to be silent so he wouldn’t wake the baby. She couldn’t help smiling at the sight of this hunky, handsome man holding his sweet baby boy. Something inside her shifted, and she felt a giant swell of love for both of them. Any lingering worry about Zach and their past evaporated. Her fingers trembled as she picked up the scattered papers while Zach returned to the nursery.
She was blindly tossing papers into the box when one caught her attention. “Dissolution of Business” was printed boldly across the top, causing her to look more closely. The business had been a jewelry store, and her mother’s name was listed as one of the partners. She didn’t recognize the other partner’s name—not surprising, since she saw the date was over twenty years ago. She would have been just a little girl at the time. Funny that she’d never heard her mother mention this store.
Carolyn placed the paper in the box, planning to ask her mother about it, and carried the box downstairs before returning to the nursery to kiss Austin good night. Zach had just placed him in the crib, where he was stretched out, looking happy and peaceful. She touched the child’s cheek and kissed his forehead before leaving the room. Zach adjusted the lights and followed her into the hall, closing the nursery door behind him.
She smiled at him, letting the emotions she’d felt that night show on her face. She couldn’t hide how she felt. Zach didn’t hesitate to pull her into his arms. He kissed her lips, her throat, the little spot near her ear, all the places he knew she liked. But kisses were no longer enough. She put a little space between them and pulled his T-shirt over his head, tossing it to the floor.
She ran her hands over his chest, which was even more muscled than it had been. God, his body was amazing. She hadn’t let herself remember that in the two years they’d been separated. She traced her finger over a new scar on his left pec, but she didn’t ask how he got it. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but the two of them together at that moment.
“Carolyn?” His voice was soft, questioning.
“My room.” She took a step back, pulling him with her into the bedroom.
“I’ve missed this,” he murmured against her ear as his hands slid under her tank top to unclasp her bra. Shirt and bra went over her head, flying off to a corner of the room. He cupped her breasts, running his thumb over the nipples as he kissed her lips. She moaned at his touch. It felt both familiar and enticing.
“I want you naked,” she whispered against his lips.
He laughed softly. “You always did make your desires clear.”
“Are you calling me bossy?” She trailed her fingers down the taut muscles of his stomach to the button on his jeans. She flicked it open, smiling when he sucked in a breath.
“Not a bit, sweetheart.” The word rolled smoothly from his tongue. He’d always called her that, starting almost from their first date. She’d missed the endearment, the intimacy, but she wouldn’t have to any longer. He was hers again—at least in this way. She lowered his zipper, brushing her hand against his hard length before grasping it between her fingers. His breathing changed, and his eyes half closed as she stroked up and down.
“So good,” he said, but took her wrist, pulling her hand away from his dick. “Enough for now.”
“That’s no fun.” She gave him a mock pout.
“I think we’ll have plenty of fun.” He pushed the elastic waistband of her shorts down, taking her panties with them, before shedding the rest of his clothes. They stood naked, inches apart, not touching for a moment. “You’re so beautiful.” His tone was almost reverent, making her believe his compliment.
“Make love to me,” she invited. They fell onto the bed together, his hard body covering her. She coasted her hands down his back to his butt, feeling the corded muscles as he trailed kisses from her lips to her breasts in a slow seduction. She didn’t want slow, not this time. “I meant now, Zach.” She lifted her hips, rolling them to cup his length.
“Soon.” He blew warm breath over her nipples as his fingers slipped between her thighs to touch her. Oh, God, she did love that. She nearly melted with pleasure and desire, but she knew it could be even better with him.
“Now.” Wrapping her legs around him, she opened for him. He took her mouth in a searing kiss and thrust into her. They moved together, finding a rhythm that had them both panting until an orgasm cascaded through her. With one final thrust, he came inside her, gasping out her name.
11
Carolyn rolled over, touching the bed next to her. It was cool and empty. She sat up, listening, and heard Zach’s soft footsteps in the hall. He appeared in the doorway, dressed in tactical pants and a black T-shirt, a grin on his face. She smiled. She had a smokin’ hot man who had made her night very memorable.
“I didn’t want to wake you,” he said. “I’ve got an early meeting.”
“Come here.” She beckoned him with her finger.
“If I do that, I’m going to be late.” He moved toward her anyway.
“I just want a kiss,” she said. And to be held again before he left for the day. After they made love, she’d slept in his arms until he’d woken her to do it again. She’d been a willing participant both times and was already looking forward to tonight. The sex was great, always had been with Zach, but she also loved having him in her bed, his body warm and hard next to hers. She felt safe, protected. No one else had ever made her feel that way. She wondered again how she’d let him go before.
He sat on the edge of the bed, and she scooted toward him. The sheet slipped to her waist as she moved. His eyes followed it down, and he swallowed, a slight flush coming to his tanned cheeks.
“See something you like?” she teased.
“You make it hard to leave you,” he said, lifting the sheet and tucking it around her chest, his hands lingering on her.
“Austin’ll be up soon. Our time would be limited, but still…” She stroked his freshly shaven cheek. His aftershave had a spicy, masculine scent she remembered well.
He chuckled, catching her fingers and kissing them. “Patience. We have tonight.”
“And tomorrow night?” she asked before she could stop herself. She didn’t mean to sound needy. She wasn’t a woman who begged for a man’s attention.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he assured her before pulling her to him and kissing her, a long kiss that ended only when they heard Austin stirring in his bed. Zach rested his forehead against hers while they listened to their son’s happy babbling.