“… Saxon?” I need to make sure he’s really here. But there is no mistaking that lopsided smirk tugging at those sinful, smooth lips. “What are you doing here?” I’m far from articulate, but with this sensory overload, I fear my brain might short-circuit at any moment.

  He shuffles his motorcycle boots, digging his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I’m here because a piece of my heart was missing, and I want it back.”

  Has his voice always been this decadent? Probably. When he ambles toward me, oozing pure masculinity and strength, I wonder if he’s always been sex on legs. Most definitely.

  I watch with wide eyes. “I’m right here. Come and take it back.” It’s a command, one he is clearly happy to obey.

  “Oh, I plan to.” He continues his walk as the moon peeks its head out from behind the clouds, illuminating Saxon in all his glory. He is a vision, and I can’t consume him fast enough.

  He’s on me in seconds, threading his large hands through my hair and drawing our foreheads together. His warm breath is like an adrenaline punch to my core and a guttural whimper escapes me. My body hums with ecstasy, finally feeling complete.

  “Lucy…” He inhales me into him. Every nerve ending is on fire, and I’m certain I’m seconds away from melting. He takes his time, savoring me, storing me in memory as I do the same with him.

  I want nothing more than for him to kiss me, but this simplicity of just drinking each other in is far more sensual than anything I could ever imagine. He brushes his nose against mine, tightening the hold on my hair. I want to say so many things, but nothing could ever sum up what I’m feeling right now.

  With a sluggish pulse, Saxon drops to his knees and wraps his arms around my waist. He presses his cheek to my stomach. The sight of his surrender is my undoing. I wind my fingers through his tousled hair and relish in the touch. “I missed you…so much.”

  He hums, nestling closer to me. “I missed you too. Is everything all right? I saw you running from the house.”

  “It is now,” I whisper.

  He tilts his head back, peering up at me from under his delicate lashes. “Come with me?”

  “I’ll go anywhere with you.” And I mean it. He smiles as he stands.

  Looping his fingers through mine, he leads me into the barn. The moment my eyes adjust to the dim lighting from the rustic sconces, memories of being in here with Saxon assault me, and I inhale slowly.

  The heat from his towering body warms mine as he presses his chest against my back. He leans over my shoulder and gently delivers three kisses to the side of my neck. Once he reaches my pulse, he suckles softly. Unable to help myself, I lean my head back and lose myself in this consciousness of complete ecstasy.

  He smells like heaven, he smells like home, and whatever insecurities I had scatter in the wind. Saxon has shown me who I want to be, but more importantly, I want to be with him because he’s a part of me. Now that he’s here, I will never let him go again.

  With that as my driving force, I spin around, needing to feel every part of him imprinted on my very core. We don’t need words because our bodies are in step with the other, a perfect yin to my yang. I stand on tippy toes, smashing my lips to his. The moment I taste him, I lose whatever sense of control guides me, and I devour him.

  He hums into my mouth, his desire filling my lungs, stoking the fire within. Lacing my fingers through his long hair, I can’t consume him fast enough. His tongue seeks refuge, and I permit him entry to dominate and control.

  His heavy scruff abrades my skin, but the burn adds to the pleasure building within. He licks the seam of my lips, sampling my flavor. I can’t believe I lived without his kisses for so long. Fisting the curls at his nape, I press us chest to chest, needing to feel him in the flesh. Saxon reads my desire, and with one fluid movement, he scoops me into his arms. I wrap my legs around him, holding on tight as he walks us through the barn.

  Our kisses grow frenzied, and when he lowers me onto the bales of hay, I can’t get his shirt off fast enough. We separate only long enough to strip him topless before we reconnect in a flurry of hands and a summit of passion. Saxon snares the hem of my dress, making his intentions clear a second later when he strips me bare.

  He hisses, rocking back on his heels as he studies me from head to toe. Without reservation, I reach around to unhook my bra. As my breasts fall free, a growl slips past Saxon’s supple lips. He unfastens the top button of his jeans, the sight a wicked delight.

  His sun-kissed skin ripples, and I itch to trace every hardened plane with my tongue. Each tattoo comes to life, and when I zero in on my favorite one of all, I recall all the moments we lived through to end up at this exact moment in time.

  He runs a hand through his hair, eyes locked on mine. “I love you.” It’s a vow, one which warms my heart.

  “I love you, too. Promise me you won’t let me go again.” This has many meanings, and I leave it open to interpretation.

  Saxon inhales, his chest rising and then falling with his heavy exhale. “I promise.”

  With that decided, I crawl forward, looping my fingers through the beltloops of Saxon’s jeans. Drawing him toward me, I peer up at him as I undo his zipper. His rock-hard abs undulate, shooting a live current of yearning straight to my core. I give into temptation and lower my lips to his flesh. At first, I don’t move. I simply inhale, basking in his musk, savoring the scent of his skin. But when his abs prickle with tiny goose bumps, my body takes over, and I trace over every well-defined ridge with my tongue.

  He hums, spurring me on, and I continue my journey downward. I circle his belly button, supporting myself as I rest both hands at his waist. As I’m treasuring his torso, licking over his flank where his tattoo is, I slip a hand into his jeans and palm his heavy length. He hisses, his muscles rolling under my tongue.

  He is such a generous lover, always ensuring my needs are met before his, but I want to tease him to the point of shattering, just how he does to me. I slide his jeans down, holding my breath as I expose each delicious inch of his golden flesh.

  When his shaft pops free, I take a few moments to appreciate what’s on show. I never thought I could ever be this sexually liberated, but with Saxon, I truly feel myself. Closing the distance, I take him into my mouth and pleasure him just as he has done to me time and time again.

  He grunts, fisting his fingers through my hair as he sweeps it to one side. It turns me on knowing he’s watching me. Saxon is royally endowed, so I try my hardest to pleasure him as best as I can. As I go in deep, tears sting my eyes, but I don’t allow that to deter me.

  Saxon caresses my cheek and down the length of my neck with his fingertips as he hums. The low rumble stokes my inner vixen, and I rub my legs together, hoping to ease the burn. “Come ’ere.” I don’t have a chance to object because he lifts me up and slams his lips to mine.

  As we madly kiss, he lowers me onto my back, reaching between us to remove my underwear. The moment I’m bare, he circles my entrance with the pads of two fingers before seeking the sanctuary within. I buck my hips, releasing an impassioned moan.

  He breaks our union, only to descend the slope of my neck before worshiping the tops of my breasts. As he slithers lower, I know where he’s headed, but all I want is to feel connected—mind, body, and soul. So I snare his cheeks and draw him back up to my lips.

  His weight is perfect. I lock my arms around his neck and welcome him home as I unlock my legs. He settles between them, staring deep into my eyes as he guides himself into me. A breathless gasp escapes us when we lock. He doesn’t bury himself all the way in. He stills, allowing me to indulge in this moment as much as he is.

  His longer hair flicks forward, framing his beautiful face, and without reservation, I reach up and cup his cheek. He settles into my touch, appearing to be at total peace. When we’re entwined this way, the noise settles, and everything fades into the background. There are no fears or questions because the world can fall into place around us.

  I was stupid to question this because this is who I am. Saxon isn’t just the other half of my heart; he’s the entire thing. Pushing my insecurities away for good, I arch my back and lose myself to complete bliss. He sinks inside, strengthening what we were helpless to fight.

  “Oh, god,” I whimper, his sluggish strokes making me come alive. He seals his lips around mine, his tongue matching the speed of his plunges. I lose myself—not overthinking, just feeling.

  He dives into me over and over, his hands and lips never leaving my body. This feels different, like we both did some soul-searching while apart, but now that we’re together, everything seems to fit. He buries his face in the hollow of my neck, surrendering.

  “You are my world, Lucy. Everything makes sense when we’re together.” He feels it too. I wonder what happened for him to uncover this truth. But I can ask him tomorrow because the moment he increases the rhythm of his strokes, I’m as good as gone.

  When he reaches down and circles my swollen clit, I don’t stand a chance and come undone with a tempestuous scream. He pumps his hips, the rumble building, and when he starts to pull out, I lock my legs and arms around him, wanting him to see this through.

  “Fuck,” he hisses, his lips pressed against my pulse as he spills his seed into me. “I love you.” Closing my eyes, I bask in the afterglow, never wanting to leave this barn ever again. He’s spent and when he grows lax, I hold on tighter…intent on never letting him go.

  It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep can do. But as I brush over the faint outline of what looks to be a hickey, I know it’s all thanks to who I slept beside.

  Once I untangled my body from Saxon’s and was sadly transported back to reality, I said that we probably should go back inside, seeing as we had guests. He looked as happy with that idea as I was, but he eventually gave in.

  The moment we moseyed in through the back door, hand in hand, everyone knew what we had just done. But I didn’t care. What my mom said threw me, but seeing Saxon, knowing he came back home for me, just as he did when Sam was in the hospital, proved her wrong. Now that Saxon is back, the haze has faded, and everything is crystal clear.

  I discounted the blatant disappointment reflected on Sam’s face when he saw Saxon. He’s the reason Saxon is here. Yes, I asked him to come, but I asked him on Sam’s behalf. The fact Saxon is here means he’s willing to listen to whatever Sam has to say. No matter what he says, I know deep down he wants to make amends or, at the very least, be civil with Sam. Regardless of everything, they’re still blood.

  I don’t expect us to live together as one big happy family, but I still feel for all of us to move forward, Saxon and Sam need to mend this fence.

  I’m tying my wet hair into a high bun when the bathroom door opens. I’d forgotten how good it was for my man to greet me first thing in the morning. He’s in jeans and nothing else. “Mornin’,” he says with a yawn.

  “Good morning.” He leans up against the doorjamb, watching me as I apply my lip balm. “Are you going to stand there all day?”

  “Yes,” he replies with a lopsided smirk.

  Playfully rolling my eyes, I cap my balm and turn around. The air whips with electricity. “I’m glad you’re here. I could use the muscle,” I tease, but soon eat my words when Saxon flexes.

  “What do you need muscle for?”

  Mentally slapping myself, I get my head back in the game. “I wanted to drop off some boxes at my parents’ house…until I figure out what to do.” Saxon doesn’t hide his disappointment that I’m still undecided. But he nods.

  “Sure. We can do that.”

  “I also want to swing past the realtor’s office and get the exact date she’ll be back.”

  His disappointment tilts, and he smiles. “Sounds like a plan. Let me shower and get ready then.”

  He unbuttons his jeans, which is my cue to leave because if he gets naked, we won’t be going anywhere. He reaches for my wrist. “You could always wash my back.”

  I can’t help but laugh at his creativity. “Maybe later. I’ll make coffee.” He sighs playfully but rewards me with a heart-stopping grin. I leave him to get clean while my dirty thoughts follow me into the kitchen.

  As I’m watching the coffee percolate, I get the sense I’m not alone. Being in step with Sam like this was once cute, but now it’s just confusing. “Hey, I’m making coffee.” Turning over my shoulder, I see he’s covered in hay. I pale, remembering I too was covered in hay…and nothing else last night.

  “I was just feeding the horses,” he clarifies when I continue staring at him like he’s grown a second head.

  “Awesome.” Suddenly feeling nervous, I reach for three mugs in the overhead cabinet.

  “So Saxon came?” I fumble with the bone china, it almost slipping from my fingers.

  “Yeah, he did.” The ball is in his court because I have no idea what to say. I don’t know if he wants me to be involved in his attempts to make amends because I can only imagine some of the stuff they discuss will be private.

  “I guess I have you to thank.”

  Once I pull it together, I meet his curious gaze. “Actually, no. I passed on your message, but Saxon coming here was on his own accord.”

  Sam’s doesn’t hide his surprise. “Wow.” He interlaces his hands atop his head in thought. I don’t blame him. This is big.

  Giving him time to process everything, I open the fridge to retrieve the milk. I pour our coffees in silence. “So what are you up to today?” Sam asks.

  “We were going to drop past my parents’. Leave a few boxes in the spare room.”

  “Oh, cool. That’s a good idea. This place is starting to look a little derelict.” I’m thankful he’s making jokes.

  Dumping two sugars into his coffee, I stir it, then pass it to him. “On that note, I thought I’d drop by Hayley’s office too. She’s not returning my emails.”

  He pauses from sipping his cup of joe. “She’s not returning your emails because she’s on vacation and won’t be back for a while yet.”

  “I know, but I figure I can speak to one of her colleagues. Let them know we’re eager and ready to sell.”

  When he peers down at his boots, I realize how insensitive that was. Sam may be coming around to the idea, but that doesn’t mean I have a right to rub his face in it.

  “Sorry, that was really harsh.”

  He waves me off. “No, no, you’re right.” Swallowing, he lifts his gaze. “It’s still a little hard to stomach, that’s all. I’ll miss it here, you know?” I do know, but the sooner we get it done, the easier it’ll be. “This place was our dream home. It’s hard to think I will find another like it.”

  “Home is where the heart is, Sam.” I’m starting to realize this.

  He sighs heavily. “What happens when pieces of your heart are imbedded in the walls?” His question catches me off guard because I know what he means.

  This house has been such a big part of our lives, so it’s difficult not to feel a sense of loss by letting it go. I’ve made my peace with it, and eventually, Sam will too. We sip our coffees in silence, the weirdness joining us once again.

  “Coffee smells good.” Saxon strolls into the kitchen, his wet hair combed back casually. However, when he sees Sam, all informality disappears. This is not a good start, but I sit on the sidelines because this isn’t my fight.

  Sam looks as uncomfortable as Saxon, but he thankfully puts an end to this awkward silence. “Hey, Sax.”

  Saxon’s shoulders rise and fall. He’s probably made peace with the fact that Sam and he would never make amends, but then I came along and ruined his plans.

  I can’t help but feel guilty.

  “Hey,” he finally replies. He makes a beeline for the coffee but not before he kisses my forehead. In the past, I would have shied away but not now.

  Sam sips his coffee before swallowing. “So… I know you had a few things planned today, but I was wondering…” I wait with bated breath because he’s directing his comment to Saxon.

  Saxon waits for him to continue.

  “I was wondering if you’d help me with a few things around here. I could use the extra set of hands.”

  Saxon mulls over his proposal. I don’t blame him. The fact Sam has asked him and not me is a sure sign he wants to talk in private. Saxon looks at me, clearly attempting to decipher my feelings. But this isn’t my choice to make. Whatever he decides, I’ll support.

  “It’s taking me twice as long to clear out the barn and garage with this.” He holds up his cast. “And the sooner it’s done, the quicker Lucy can see Hayley and get things moving.”

  Saxon tongues his upper lip, still torn. I can only imagine how weird it must be to see this civil side of Sam. He long ago accepted their relationship as a lost cause, but now Sam is willing to resuscitate something long dead.

  Eyes still locked with mine, Saxon nods. “Okay.”

  I’m unable to hide my smile. I know a big part of his acquiescence is because of me. He wants to give me my happily ever after, and he knows that entails him forgiving Sam. But more importantly, even though the portion may be small, he accepted because he wanted to. This is progress. Whatever happens, I’m just thankful we’ve gotten this far.

  Sam looks surprised. “Okay, great.” When Saxon doesn’t budge, he clears his throat. “I’ll meet you out there.” He meets my gaze and smiles. I know he is doing this for me too. Both Stone brothers are swallowing their pride for me. My mother’s warning rings loudly, but if Sam’s love for me encourages him to salvage any remnants of his relationship with Saxon, then I will happily accept this for what it is.

  Saxon purses his lips, head tilted as it’s plain to see he’s trying to decode what I’m thinking. But that doesn’t matter. All that matters is this—family. And whether we like it or not, that’s what we always will be.

  I reach for Saxon’s hand, and I instantly feel at peace when we unite. Sam peers down at our connection and nods once. He exits the back door seconds later, but for once, bitterness doesn’t follow him. Saxon and I don’t say a word. The tango of our touch is all the language we need.