Page 170 of Colt

“I like the sound of that.”

I suck on her clit, and she moans. “Thought you might.”

“I love when you love me this way.” Her fingers massage my scalp, making goose bumps break out on my arms and legs.

I lick her. Taste her. Dip my tongue inside her. “That.” I find her clit again. “Is the fucking stuff.”

She smirks. “You say that in the morning, you know. When you drink your coffee.”

Ha. She’s right. Probably said it the fateful morning I met her.

Now here I am, saying it for an entirely different reason.

“I like this better,” I murmur against her. “So much better, honey.”

Her eyes go soft. “Everything’s better now, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” I kiss her clit. “Heaven. Let’s find it together, yeah?”

“Yeah.” She nods.

And we do. Twice that night. Again in the morning.

Truth is heaven really is a place on earth. Long as I get to be with the people I love, I’m there.

I’m never fucking leaving again.

THE END

Epilogue

SECOND CHANCES

Lainey

“So you just make a shovel with your hand and scoop up the dough.” Dean dips his hand into the bowl and tucks his little hand underneath the flour and water mixture. “Just like this. See? Now you give it a try.”

Nodding, I press my tongue into the corner of my mouth and stick my hands inside the bowl beside Dean’s. “Like this?” I carefully turn the dough over in the bowl.

“Like that,” Colt says with a nod. “Now I’m going to add the starter and the salt. Y’all keep mixing with your hands, okay?”

Dean grins. “Got it, Dad.”

Colt’s arm brushes mine as he spoons the sticky sourdough starter into the bowl. “About a third of a cup or so should do the trick.”

“So that’s the stuff that makes the magic happen.” I mimic Dean’s motions. The crumbly mixture that sticks to my fingers is soft and warm. Inhaling, I pick up on the dough’s deliciously cozy smell. It’s earthy. Savory even. I can only imagine how good it’s going to smell once this loaf is in the oven.

“Yep. It’s what gives the bread its rise. I can’t wait for you to try it.”

Dean is still grinning. “It’s gonna change your life, Lainey.”

Colt and I laugh at that, exchanging a glance. This kid is really fucking cute.

It’s Saturday morning. We’re all still in our jammies—well, Colt’s sweats-and-a-T-shirt version of jammies anyway, because he always sleeps naked—the three of us crowded around the counter in the kitchen. The scents of coffee and pancakes fill the air. Colt’s already got a fire going in the family room’s fireplace.

I slept great. Dean slept in, so Colt and I snuck in a slow, lazy round of morning sex before we padded out to the kitchen an hour or so ago. Starting my day off with an orgasm courtesy of a naked cowboy followed by a homemade breakfast just might be my favorite thing ever.

Life isn’t perfect. But I’m not sure I’ve ever been happier than I am right now.