Hearths of Fire (46 page)

“I listened to everything you had to say. Now it’s my turn.”

‡

C
harlotte felt like
she was suffocating, similar to how she’d felt on their wedding day. Only this time it wasn’t because of her decision, but from waiting to hear Neal’s. He hadn’t interjected at all during her little speech that she’d gone over and over in the shower. She was relatively sure she’d missed half of what she wanted to express, but she did get the
I love you
out. Would what she said make a difference in his decision? It had sounded like he’d wanted her to move to San Diego with him, but now she wasn’t sure if she’d misinterpreted what he’d been saying.

“Neal, I—”

“There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by that you didn’t cross my mind. I’d wondered what you were doing, how you were doing. The day I got out of the service I thought coming home would make you see that I could keep my promise. But that wasn’t what either of us thought it would be. Being in this town with you continuing on as if I wasn’t here was hell, and the first decent offer I was given to leave Hearth I took it.” Neal looked down at the ring that was now in his large fingers, making the symbol of love look rather tiny. To her it was larger than life. “It’s taken me this long to understand that coming home to Hearth wasn’t meant to be. It was coming home to you that mattered. You are my real home, Char. You are the keeper of my heart, the guardian of my soul, and the woman I love more than life itself. We’ve been apart these past eight years and we’ve both gained some life experience. I’ve lost some close friends and managed to keep from getting hurt in more than a few scrapes. I’ve gained the respect of my teammates, the special operations community, and that of my nation for the sacrifices I’ve had to make while serving. You’ve had to raise your sister on your own, being a mother and a father to Mandy without anyone for you to rely on but yourself. Even with all of the troubles that go with raising a child when you’re not much more than one yourself, at that stage you also managed to pick up a fledgling small business and make it into an institution in this small town. We’ve both come a long way in our lives and even though we’ve both managed to overcome some really daunting obstacles, there remains one undeniable truth when it comes to you and I—we’ve always been better together. You’ve made me realize I can be a stronger, healthier man with you in my life. Will you marry me, Charlotte Florence Whitefall?”

Charlotte did her best not to cringe at the use of her middle name and she succeeded. She was too busy wiping away the tears that had fallen and the ones that wouldn’t stop. She couldn’t even find her voice and nodded her head frantically in response to his question. Yes, yes, she’d marry him and move to San Diego to start their new life together. He was placing the ring on the ring finger of her left hand and it was only when his palms touched her cheeks was she able to draw breath. She’d found her home as well.

Neal leaned down and captured her lips. It was the most tender, warmest, most real kiss she’d ever experienced. His taste was sweet and her tears salty. By the time he tilted her head she’d gotten herself mostly under control and would have pulled him down to the bed had he let her. Instead he drew slowly away as he gradually parted her robe and exposed her breasts. His green eyes, which had held a wild look to them last night as if he was part tiger hunting for his prey, had softened into that of a lover. She could almost feel the caress of his gaze as they took in the ample flesh of her breasts and the rouge of her sensitive nipples.

“We’ll have to save your spanking for a later time,” Neal murmured, finally pushing her robe until it fell off of her shoulders. It took a moment for his words to sink in, for by the time her shock registered his rich laugh resonated through the air. “Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle when I administer it, but don’t think you’re getting away without any chastisement for leaving the bookstore when I specifically told you not too.”

“You’ll have to catch me first,” Charlotte said, reaching up with her hand and pulling him down on top of her. “Right now I just want to experience us actually making love in a bed. For a moment I thought you had a fetish regarding chairs.”

“Oh, trust me…you’ll get to know all of my many fetishes.” Neal brushed his lips down her neck and nibbled the sensitive area in her collarbone. It was hard to concentrate and enjoy the feeling when his fingers were roaming lower. When his thumb traced over her abdomen she couldn’t help but arch up. “One of them is for a particular blonde woman who screams my name when she comes. How many times do you think that might happen tonight, huh? Can you keep track?”

Charlotte lost her breath to answer when the pads of his fingers brushed over her clit. She widened her stance, ensuring that he had full access to do whatever he wanted to do. Right now he was making small circular motions against her nub and totally ignoring the cream that was gathering at her entrance. Around and around he stroked her until she wanted to scream. When his tongue took the place of his lips to trail down to her breasts she grabbed a hold of his bicep. Even though she wasn’t looking at his arm she knew her fingers were touching his tattoo. His skin felt hotter there and the image of it in her mind made him all the more sensual.

“Do you need more pressure?”

“Yes, more,” Charlotte whispered, bringing her hips up into his touch. Instead of a pressing firmer he slid her clit between two fingers and gently rubbed up and down until she was digging her own fingers into his muscles. “It’s not enough.”

“I’ve come to the conclusion I will never get enough of you, but it’ll be a wonderful life while I try.” Neal traced her areola with his tongue, similar to what he was doing to her clit. It wasn’t enough. As if he’d heard her thoughts he simultaneously sealed his lips over her nipple and squeezed her clit. By the time he lifted his head Charlotte thought she’d lost her sanity. “That better?”

“Yes!”

Charlotte sucked in air as he suckled her nipple, gyrating in his hand. She cried out again when he released the now engorged tissue and slid his middle finger into her pussy. It was what she wanted, but clearly not enough. Never enough. When he added another finger she felt the tremors of an orgasm and was shocked that he was able to bring one on so suddenly. He hooked his fingers and rubbed against the area inside her pelvic bone, causing the tremors to be more like waves. When his thumb pressed firmly on her clit and mimicked what his fingers were doing she lost all control.

“Neal! Neal! Neal!” Over and over she screamed his name as he weaned her down from that all time precipice. By the time it ended she was a puddle in the bed. He slowly pulled his mouth off of her nipple, and for once she was grateful since her entire body felt like one big exposed nerve. He was trying to get off of the bed. “Wait…where are you going?”

“I need to grab one of those condoms you keep under the sink.” Neal once again tried to shift his weight off of her but she held on. “I’ll be quick.”

“Neal, have you looked at the expiration on those things?” Charlotte finally had the energy to open her eyes and see his questioning look. She should fess up that she knew they might be expired, but she hadn’t wanted to stop what they were doing to go and buy new ones. “I think they’re old.”

“They are old, but we made it by a month,” Neal replied with a lopsided grin. “I would never have put us in a situation that we weren’t ready for, Char.”

“I guess now isn’t the appropriate time to ask if you want children.” Charlotte was surprised the statement had popped out, but by the time she realized what she was asking it was too late. She released his arms to place a hand over her mouth. He threw his head back with a laugh and lay down next to her. She’d followed him with her eyes and finally, slowly, lowered her fingers to her chin. “Sorry. Such bad timing.”

Neal reached for his zipper and removed his jeans before pulling her closer. She willingly climbed on top of him, laying her body over his. The heat that was coming from him was better than any fireplace could have offered. He didn’t appear mad at her inquiry and she waited for what he would say.

“We always wanted a family. I remember talking about it with you before, but I wasn’t so sure that answer still stood since you’ve never had time to live for yourself. You’ve always been there for Mandy. You were basically her mother.”

Neal pulled her hair back so that it didn’t slide into her face. He thought she wouldn’t want children because she raised her sister? Didn’t he know that it was different? That being pregnant with his child was something she’d dreamed about since high school? She used to draw pictures of a house, a minivan, two kids, and a dog. She’d been drawing their home and hadn’t even realized it.

“I want children with you, Neal. I want a son who’s got green eyes, dark blonde hair, and a smile that reminds me of his father. I want a little girl with her father’s mischief and his charm. I want them with you, wherever we make our home.”

Neal studied her, his intense stare not intimidating but more comforting. His love for her made her understand that he would do anything to make her happy. When he placed his hands on her hips and lifted her slightly, it was then that she comprehended his intentions. The tip of his warm cock was at her moist entrance and all it would take from her was a nod of acceptance—which she gave gladly. When he slowly pushed his cock into her the entrance of her pussy stretched to accommodate his size. She couldn’t keep the moan from escaping her lips as the slight burn was ignited.

“Neal,” Charlotte breathed, not even knowing why. Being with him this way was so more intimate than she’d ever imagined. They were connected and when his seed was released into her, their future would be made. “You feel…”

“Take all of me, Char.”

Charlotte knew for that to happen she needed to truly straddle him. She pushed her palms against his chest and sat up, her movement doing exactly what he wanted. His cock went deep within her until her sheath widened and accepted all of him. When the entrance of her pussy was at the base of his dick, she’d never felt so full. He reached up, cupping her breasts and grazing them with his thumbs. It sent a shock clear to her clit and she could no longer stay still to savor the fullness. She wanted to scream his name again.

Lifting up on her knees, she threw back her head in pleasure as his tip came back to her entrance. Sinking slowly back down, she was amazed by how fast her body had recovered and wanted another release. It wasn’t long before she quickened the pace and when he started to pinch her nipples, she finally looked down to see his green eyes darken in the beginning of his own release—which she knew he wouldn’t allow himself to have without her.

“Come for me.”

As he said the words, Charlotte would have said she needed just a few more moments. But he released her left breast and brought his hand down to where they were connected. Using his thumb, he did that circular motion on her that she loved so much and instantly set off her orgasm, sending her spiraling out of control.

“Neal!” Charlotte’s release exploded and it wasn’t long afterward that she felt the base of his shaft widening. She called his name once more when he released his seed into her, the warmth indicating he’d finally let go. It only fueled her orgasm more and by the time they were both down from the high he’d put them on, she found herself snuggled in his arms. She knew he would eventually move and get up to grab a cloth to clean her, but she wanted to savor what he’d given her. “We aren’t naming her Florence.”

Neal’s chest vibrated from his laugh and he tightened his arms around her. She placed her lips against his neck, hoping that she could make him laugh well into his nineties. It was a doable goal. She could picture their house on the beach, them sitting on white wooden rocking chairs as they watched their children and grandchildren build sandcastles and play in the surf. Now that would be a home filled with love.

‡

T
he doorbell rang
again and again, followed by the sound of laughter from numerous little ghosts and goblins. Charlotte smiled as she grabbed the candy dish and waited for Neal to open the door. This was their last night in Hearth and although they could have left for San Diego by now, he thought it was important for Charlotte and Mandy to experience one last hometown Halloween and realize it for the fun-loving holiday it was intended to be and not the sinister night of a ritual that had been planned to end Mandy’s life.