Page 94 of Mountain Dreams

Smiling, she set down the towel. “I’d like to touch you some more.”

“Tell me all about it.”

She laughed. “Let’s go upstairs.”

He couldn’t peel off his coat and shoes fast enough, and she giggled when he almost tripped over his laces. He considered leaving them in a pile on the floor, but then he decided not to. If they were going to be together forever, he vowed to become neater.

“I’ll go take care of these and meet you upstairs.”

She shook her head. “Just leave them.” Then she took his hand and pulled him toward the stairs.

This woman never ceased to surprise him, and he happily followed her upstairs and into his bedroom, where they immediately started undressing.

“Now that you’re my girlfriend, will you move some of your things in here?”

“Yes.”

“Finally.”

She chuckled behind her shirt as she was removing it, and he stopped and stared. Even though they’d made love numerous times, he still couldn’t quite believe it was real. A moment later, they were both naked and had tumbled onto the bed. He immediately leaned in to kiss her, but she put a finger over his lips. “I want to say something first.”

His body was already revved up in anticipation, but he could tell it was important. “Tell me.”

“I’m so happy we’re together.”

“Me too.”

“I want to be with you forever too.”

He kissed the tip of her nose.

“I love you, Cody. I think, in some way, I always have…”

Her voice caught, and her eyes welled with tears.

“Oh, no. No tears, please.”

She laughed as a couple of drops slid down her cheeks. “These are the good kind.”

He wiped them away. “They all look the same to me.”

“You have a lot to learn about women.”

“Will you be my teacher?”

“Gladly.”

Soon her tears were gone, replaced by a look of ecstasy and love. He kissed her everywhere, talking all the while about how much he wanted her, needed her, and loved her. She talked too, telling him she loved him and that he was the man of her dreams.

It was a lot to live up to, but he was willing to give it his best shot.

Soon their words were reduced to murmurs, moans, and sighs. When the woman he loved arched her hips, tipped back her head, and whispered his name, it sounded even sweeter than before because she loved him.

Afterward they held each other tight, touching and talking long into the night.

Twenty-Eight

It was Maddie’s birthday, and despite telling Cody she didn’t want to make a big deal of it, he’d planned an entire day of activities, starting with breakfast at her favorite pancake restaurant in downtown Gatlinburg.