Falling for Dante Page 21

"Oh fuck," I growled. Using her hips as leverage, I pounded her velvet heat, taking and giving what we both needed. I thrust my hand between us, finding her plump clit, because I wasn't going to be able to hold out much longer. The sensual growl that erupted from Erica's lips vibrated all the way to the crown of my cock.

  She stiffened beneath me, her orgasm tearing through her at the same moment as mine. With a growl, I fell over her, resting my head against her bare chest as we both succumbed to the aftershocks of our climaxes.

  "Wow," she said, toying with the strands of my hair. I placed my chin in the valley between her breasts and smiled. "As much as I enjoyed that, you're going to need to get off. My back is killing me."

  We both laughed as I climbed off of her and helped her to her feet. "So, we can cross coffee tables off your bucket list?"

  "Yep. I never need to do it on a coffee table again."

  ***

  "Isn't she the cutest thing ever?" Erica cooed. With hair the color of spun gold and the cherub face of an angel, Damian and Janice's baby was adorable. Joan, who was named after Janice's mother, slept peacefully on a towel between Erica's legs. Nestled under a canopy of trees on the shore of Lake Champlain, Erica and I had been watching the baby while Damian and Janice took a much-needed break from their bundle of joy.

  "She is pretty cute. And strong," I said, unable to hide my smile. Even in her sleep, Joan had my pinkie locked in a death grip. Peals of laughter from the shore drew our gazes. Damian was trying to push Janice under water, but she was giving him a run for her money. The two were so happy, it was sickening.

  But, unlike a year ago, I wasn't jealous. I reached over and tucked a strand of Erica's damp hair behind her ear. She looked up and smiled, her right lip pulling to one side.

  She was happy.

  I was happy.

  I loved this woman.

  And the craziest thing of all? She loved me back.

  "Do you want to go for a walk in a bit? I thought we could revisit the beach where I got you drunk."

  The beach where Erica and I had shared our first beers was within walking distance. And unlike nine years ago, I had a plan in place, and it didn't involve getting Erica drunk. Although with how frayed my nerves were, that didn't sound half bad.

  "I was not drunk," she said, playing with Joan's tiny toes and ignoring my incredulous stare.

  "You fell off your bike and couldn't walk straight."

  "Okay. Maybe I was a little drunk," she conceded. "But if I remember right, you were the one who almost peed your pants when we got stuck out on the causeway."

  "No, I almost came in my pants, babe."

  "Are you serious?" she asked, aghast.

  "Yeah. You were fascinated by the sunset. I was fantasizing about what was under your shorts."

  She slapped me in the chest. "You're horrible."

  "Just keeping it real," I said. Damian and Janice came running up the beach, water trickling down their bodies as they rejoined us in the shade.

  "How's our girl?" Damian said, wrapping a towel around his waist and sinking into the sand. Joan woke up the second she heard her father's voice, a tired smile erupting across her face when Damian lifted her into his arms.

  "She's perfect," Erica said, a wistful smile playing on her lips.

  "I agree. But I'm pretty biased," Janice said, lifting the baby out of Damian's arms when she started to fuss. "I better feed her some dinner before she shows her not-so-perfect side."

  "I'll come with you," Damian said. "See you guys later." Too enthralled by two birds fighting over an insect, Erica didn't notice the thumbs up Damian gave me over his shoulder.

  I'd pulled Damian aside, after dinner the night before, to ask his permission. While the proper thing to do would have been to ask Erica's father for her hand in marriage, I felt no obligation to extend the courtesy. The man hadn't even bothered to show up for Damian and Janice's wedding.

  The antique engagement ring Allister had helped pick out lay heavy in my pocket. My characteristic nerves of steel were apparently on vacation too, because I had been fidgeting all day. I guessed that was a good sign.

  Erica scooted closer and rested her head on my shoulder while we watched a flock of birds fly by, their happy song floating on the warm breeze. With a sigh of contentment, Erica laced her fingers through mine.

  "I could get used to this."

  "Yeah, me too," I said.

  "I can't wait until we're done with the move."

  I had decided to put my condo on the market and told Erica it was for a whole host of reasons, financial and otherwise. The real reason I wanted to buy a house with Erica was because we needed a place to call our own. A space we could grow our family. Kids were just around the corner if I had any say in the matter.

  "I thought women loved house-hunting?" I teased, nudging her shoulder.

  "I do enjoy it. It's just overwhelming. What if we pick the wrong one?"

  "As long as it has seven bathrooms, we'll be good."

  "Seven bathrooms? Why in the world would we need seven bathrooms?"

  "One for every day of the week."

  She lifted her sunglasses and squinted at me, recognition dawning. "Every day of the week? Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves, stud?"

  "Don't worry," I said, tugging her closer. "I won't tell anyone about your bathroom fetish."

  "Mine?" she asked, one eyebrow cocked.

  A chuckle slipped out of my mouth as I stood up. Before Erica could skewer me with her glare, I pulled her to her feet. "Let's go, before it gets too dark."

  We walked hand in hand, enjoying the soft stirrings of dusk. With her hair braided down her back and a yellow sundress billowing around her legs, she reminded me of the girl I'd met all those years ago. Except now she was even more captivating. Because she was mine.

  When we arrived at the beach, Erica glanced around, a fond smile lighting up her face. I pulled two beers from the backpack slung over my shoulder, popped the tops and handed her one.

  "If we're going to reenact that night, it's going to take more than a few beers to get me drunk," she said with a cheeky grin, before taking a swill from her bottle.

  "As much fun as that sounds, I have no plans to get you drunk," I said. "Unless you're going to put out."

  She whacked my chest with her free hand. "You know I'll put out, regardless of my level of intoxication."

  "Lucky me," I said, giving her a lewd wink. With a little giggle, she walked further down the beach, bending over to pick up a rock. I left the backpack in the shade and followed after her, sucking back my beer while I admired her backside.

  Even with the soft breeze blowing, it was hot. Or maybe my nerves were warming me from the inside out. I tore off my sweaty shirt and threw it over one shoulder. When Erica spun around, her eyes trailed over my body.

  "I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing you shirtless," she said, ogling me shamelessly.

  I threw my head back and laughed. I loved that she had no problem telling me how much she liked my body because the feeling was entirely mutual. "You never know. Forty years from now I'll probably have a beer gut and be messed up from all the hits I took."

  She put her hands on her hips and dropped her head to one side. "Don't say stuff like that," she chastised. "Even if that's the case, as long as I'm the one wiping the spittle from your chin, I'll be happy."

  "So, romantic, babe," I teased.

  With a chuckle, she turned back around to resume her treasure hunt, stopping short when she spied the two bikes leaning against a tree. She searched the empty beach for the owners until she saw my shit-eating grin. "What are these bikes doing here?"

  "I brought them down earlier, when you were napping." She walked up to the one trimmed in lavender and ran her fingertips across the shiny handlebars. I shuffled back and forth, digging my toes into the sand. "They're not horses, but I thought we could ride off into the sunset together."

  "Wait, what?" she asked, spinning around to face me.

/>   I dropped to one knee, which was easy because my legs were shaking. I set my beer down and pulled the ring from my pocket, the sunset casting the pavé diamonds in a pinkish hue. "Marry me, Erica?"

  "Oh, my God," she gasped, covering her mouth with one hand. I almost laughed, but I was too nervous.

  "Let me spend the rest of my life proving that the world isn't a shoddy, fucked-up version of the fairytale."

  She put one hand over her mouth and hopped up and down a few times. When she threw her arms around my neck, she knocked me flat on my ass. "Yes. Yes. Yes," she squealed, kissing me over and over until we were both laughing like fools.

  Shielded by her coppery hair with the growing darkness of dusk enveloping us in its hold, the scene felt surreal.

  "Really? Are you sure?" I asked, because I worried I might be dreaming.

  "How can you even ask that? Of course, I'm sure. You're my one and only."

  THE END

  Get the Prequel Novel to the Clean Slate Series for FREE!

  Building a relationship with my readers is the very best thing about being an author. I occasionally send out newsletters with information on new releases, giveaways (which I run frequently), and special offers.

  If you sign up for my newsletter I will send you a copy of Drowning in Talon, the poignant prequel novel to the Clean Slate Series.

  You can get your copy, for free, by signing up at: http://www.subscribepage.com/y3m0a7

  Did you enjoy this book? You can make a big difference.

  Reviews are the most powerful tool I have at my disposal. Honest reviews help bring my books to the attention of other readers.

  If you've enjoyed this book, I would be most grateful if you would spend just a few minutes leaving a review (it can be as short or as long as you would like) on the book's Amazon page. You can jump to the page by clicking below.

  Amazon US

  Amazon UK

  Thank you so much!

  Also by DJ Hunnam

  Have you read them all?

  In the Clean Slate Series

  DROWNING IN TALON

  Barring a white picket fence, Cassidy Jacobs seems to have it all: a hardworking husband, a great career, a beautiful home and a fabulous best friend. But things aren't what they seem. Shackled to a life that is anything but picture-perfect, Cassie is slowly sinking into a nightmare of her own making.

  When a temporary job assignment takes her to Alaska, she never imagines that the cocky, hazel-eyed Talon Murdock is the man who can set her free. With his long hair, tattoos, and irresistible body, Talon is everything she should avoid. But his unapologetic passion for life might be the very thing she needs. Will the secrets of her past destroy any chance of happiness, or will Cassie find the courage to love again and the ability to forgive the one person who needs it most?

  Join my Newsletter and Receive it for FREE: http://www.subscribepage.com/y3m0a7

  Purchase on Amazon:

  US

  UK

  FAKING IT WITH DAMIAN

  "An absolute must read." - iScream Books

  "It had some angst. It had some hot sex scenes. It had interesting side characters... an excellent way to spend a few hours. Two thumbs up from yours truly. " - Eve Recinella, Between the Bookends

  "If you love a hot romance with plenty to get your teeth into this is the book for you." - Book Addict Live

  He's her new boss. The one man she should avoid. The only man who can bring her to her knees.

  With a stressful job and an ailing mother, Janice Holder does not have time for relationships. That is until her new boss, Damian Wood, saunters into her corner office. With his chiseled body, piercing blue eyes, and unabashed confidence, no woman at the firm is immune to his good looks. Including Janice. When she succumbs to his allure after a long night at the office, their antics land them in serious hot water. Giving into Damian's demands might end up costing Janice her job. Or worse yet, her heart.

  Damian relocated to Seattle with the sole intention of moving past the horrific end to his first marriage. He doesn't have the patience for a relationship. Especially not with a woman as complicated and secretive as Janice Holder, no matter how enticing she would look bent over his desk. When a work trip forces them together, the temptation proves impossible to resist. He knows he's playing with fire and neither can afford to get burned, but will Damian be able to convince Janice that he's worth the risk?

  Faking It with Damian is the first book in the Clean Slate Series, a sizzling collection of second-chance contemporary romances. If you like a sexy man in a suit, steamy scenes with a ton of heat, and characters with compelling chemistry, then you will love this workplace romance.

  Grab your copy of Faking It with Damian and revel in the Clean Slate Series today.

  Purchase on Amazon: US UK

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, I must say thank you to my "one and only". Without your love and support, I wouldn't have the strength to sit down at my computer and do this every day. I know this little hobby of mine seems crazy, but thanks for seeing how much I need it.

  Thanks to Kinsee, CJ and Jane for agreeing to BETA read. Your insights and encouragement made this a better story. Jane, thanks for breaking down the dry and wet pussy spectrum of emotion for me. I needed a reality check.

  Kinsee - thanks for listening to my blathering on a daily basis. You are my biggest fan and the person I always know I can call when I need to talk.

  I want to say thank you to each of the bloggers who reviewed Faking It with Damian (and hopefully this book). Even though I wanted to puke each and every time I read a review, you gave me the encouragement I needed to keep writing.

  Until next time.

  About the Author

  First introduced to the genre by her grandmother, DJ Hunnam is an author with a true love for great romance novels. After reading hundreds of them over the last twenty years, she finally decided to put pen to paper and craft her own. She loves to write about strong heroines who fall in love with sexy heroes, while tackling real-world problems.

  When she isn't writing, you might find her curled up with a book, chasing her two wild sons, or pursuing her own HEA with her husband of ten years. She's a sucker for dark chocolate, a good bottle of Malbec, and a sexy six-pack.

  Follow me on Social Media:

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djhunnam/

  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/DJHunnamAuthor/

  Website: http://www.djhunnam.com