Page 84 of Reins

“Here, baby,” I say hoarsely, patting my lap. “Let me hold you while I show you something special to me.”

Her forehead furrows before she folds herself across my thighs.

But then she sighs, relaxing into my chest. “I like this,” she murmurs, her fingers wrapping behind my neck.

“Me too.” I let my palm rest on her hip, enjoying the feel of her body curled against me. I don’t ever want to let her go.

Then I shift her enough to reach the blue-tinted Mason jar on the end table, lifting it to where she can see. “Hold out your hand.”

She does, cupping it for me to pour some of the smooth rocks into her grasp.

“They’re so pretty.” Twisting them in the light, the array of blues, greens, and reds tumble against each other. “What kind of stones are these?”

I set the jar down and pull her tighter. “This—” I press a tender kiss to her temple. “—is called sea glass. It’s when broken bottles or containers shatter on the shore then get worn by the crashing waves against the sand. They endure immeasurable hardship that they didn’t deserve, yet come out beautiful.”

I can feel her ragged breath before the tears fall on my arm. “After I moved down here, I’d drive down to the gulf to watch the crashing waves. Those little pieces of glass gave me the hope to keep going forward. That someday I’d survive the pain to be wanted again.”

“They’re like us?” she sniffles, dropping her head to my shoulder as she stares at the pebbles.

“They are. We were both knocked down until the right set of eyes saw our worth.” I never thought I’d find someone who would ever look at me the way she does. She sees the man behind the scars and has opened her heart to me in a way I never thought I’d find.

She knows the burden of my past, yet trusts me with her future.

I can’t ask for a greater gift.

Picking out a dusty rose hue, she holds it up with a tiny lift of her cheek. “I like this one.”

“It suits you. It’s the same color as those pretty lips of yours after we kissed.” I grin, sneaking a swallow of my beer as the rush of red rushes up her throat.

I can’t wait for the day I can lean in and chase it with my tongue.

Not tonight though.

She giggles deliciously, curling the smooth baubles into her clasp. “Really?” She turns to look at me, then reaches to stroke my jaw. “Is it weird that you’re my first?”

“It’s an honor.” A lump forms in my throat. Guilt tugs at the base of my skull.

I’m too old. She’s too vulnerable.

I shouldn’t let this happen.

But then her eyes close and she finds my mouth with hers for another tender kiss.

Every rational thought flees like a stampede of horses.

She’s mine until she chooses to be done.

Chapter 41 - Rosalyn

I’m quickly becoming addicted to him.

I didn’t know that every time my lips touch his it would send tiny bolts of electricity arcing through my body.

It makes my nipples ache and my belly hot. Rubbing my thighs together doesn’t relieve the pressure building between them.

I want more of something but don’t know what to even ask for.

With a groan, he cups my cheek and pulls away. “You make it hard to stop,” he pants, dropping his forehead to rest against mine.