Another loud wail comes from her, and she jumps, her ass twerking against my pelvis as she comes again. Her pussy convulses around my dick, and it’s more than I can take. Another hard thrust, and I hold steady as my orgasm surges through me, pulsing my dick, and bending my back. Leaning over her, I groan as my pelvis jerks forward with involuntary thrusts.

  It takes a minute for my body to settle, for my breath to calm and my vision to clear. I’m still buried, balls-deep inside her sexy little body, and her hands are still gripping the headboard. Her breath is shaky as well, and I kiss the back of her shoulder.

  She shudders, another little clench around my dick, and I groan, pressing my lips across the center of her back to her other shoulder before giving her a little nibble.

  “Fuck, Aiden,” she gasps, her body shivering again.

  I smile at how responsive she is to me, and I reach up to cover her fist with my hand. “You can let go now.”

  Her head rises, and she looks at our hands. “Can I?”

  With a soft laugh, she relaxes her fingers, and I step out of the bed, going to the bathroom to retrieve a damp cloth. She’s on her back when I return, and I pause, taking in her beautiful form, blissful and sated, watching me.

  I’m on my knees, dragging the cloth between her legs before putting it aside and pulling her into my arms. Her cheek is on my chest, and our bodies are flush.

  Threading my fingers in her hair, I kiss the top of her head. “I’ve been wanting to do that since the last time we did it.”

  She laughs softly, lifting her eyes to mine. “I thought when you left the courthouse last night, we were back to where we were that day in the park, and I couldn’t bear it.”

  I cup her face in my hands. “We’ll never be in that place again if I have anything to do with it.”

  She threads her fingers behind my neck, her thumb caressing my cheek. “I promise to come to you every time.”

  Rolling her onto her back, I cover her mouth with mine, parting her lips and sealing it with a kiss. We kiss and her legs spread, wrapping around my waist again.

  It’s all the invitation I need, and I slide into her still-slippery core, taking it slower this time, rocking together as we climb higher on the waves to ecstasy.

  When we’re finished and sweaty, I notice my phone is lit. Reaching for it, a text from Edna is on the screen. You’ve been working very hard. Take the rest of the day off.

  Britt rolls out of the bed and stands, walking to her small bathroom. “Do you have to go?”

  “Your grandmother, the mayor, just gave me the day off.” Sitting up, I put the phone aside, watching her walking around buck naked.

  She lifts her phone, and her green eyes cut to mine. “She texted me the same thing.” Then her gaze lifts over the bed. “Oh, shit!”

  I’m about to question, when she dashes forward, quickly closing the windows over the bed. “We did it again!”

  Her hands drop to her sides in exasperation, and I stand, lifting her off her feet and carrying her to the bathroom.

  “We should get cleaned up so we can fuck some more.”

  “We’ve got all day,” she laughs, and I put her down, switching on the water.

  “We’re just getting started.”

  Standing under the warm spray, I slide soapy hands all over her breasts and belly as she presses her back to me. I wash her hair, and turn her to rinse, which puts us chest to chest, which leads to more kissing. Then she drops to her knees and sucks me so good, I almost slip and fall before lifting her up and taking her hard from behind.

  At noon, we’re both wrapped in terry cloth robes and nothing else, sitting on her couch beside Edward and watching The Closer.

  “I’ve never worn this color.” My robe is bright pink, while hers is white with little blue flowers all over it.

  She grins, curling into my side. “It complements your skin tone.”

  I wrap my arm around her, holding her close and kissing her forehead, her temple, the top of her head. She’s fresh flowers and the ocean, and I think about how cute she was in Terra’s pickle patch in that ridiculous jumpsuit and those enormous, clear goggles. She impressed the shit out of me that day.

  The words are right on my lips to say, when her phone lights up with a text.

  Sliding forward she lifts it then hops off the couch. “Adam says your mom made us lunch. He’s on his way up to deliver it and take Edward. He also says he’s got Owen for the night.”

  “Do you think they’re all working together?” My tone is sarcastic, but the knock on the door sends her hustling to get it.

  “I think they are,” she calls. “I’m okay with it!”

  “Your lunch, milady.” Adam waltzes into the room, placing a basket on the bar before calling to Edward. “Come on, boy.”

  My dog hops off the couch, and Adam takes the leash off the rack beside the door. “Pretend I was never here.”

  “You are too much.” A laugh is in Britt’s voice, and he returns to give her a brief hug.

  “I’m glad you’re safe.” He kisses the side of her head before pointing at me on his way out. “Don’t let me down, bro. I think pink’s your color.”

  With that, he’s gone. Our eyes meet, and I’m off the couch, going to where she stands, her eyes shining like the sun.

  Cupping her face in my hands, I slide my thumbs across her cheeks. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. You changed me. You brought me back.”

  Her hands cover mine, and she blinks quickly. “What are you saying?”

  Reaching down, I lift her off her feet, carrying her to the bed. Her legs are around my waist, and her hands are on my shoulders as I sit, holding her on my lap in a straddle.

  “I never want my life to be without you. I know it’s a lot. I’m older, I have a son…”

  “I love your son.”

  My eyes hold hers, and I place my hands on her cheeks again. “I love you, Britt Bailey.”

  “Oh, my God…” Her voice breaks.

  “The thought of you being in danger or hurt nearly killed me. I can’t lose you again. I want to be your husband. I want you to be my wife. Is it possible you want that, too? Is it too soon?”

  She nods and shakes her head at the same time, and tears spill onto her cheeks as she begins to laugh. “It’s what I’ve always wanted, and it can’t be too soon. I’ve dreamed of this for years.”

  “For years?” I laugh, desire sizzling in my veins.

  “You were the star of all my teenage dreams.” Diving forward, she kisses my lips, my cheek, my eye—any place she can find.

  I’m picturing her dreaming of me when her robe loosens, falling open. I cup her breasts in my hands, lifting and squeezing them. Her mouth is on mine again with a moan, and my cock thickens beneath her. One quick lift, and I’m inside her with a groan.

  Pumping her legs, she rides me, grinding her pussy against my waist as I grip her ass, doing my best to stay with her. “I love your hot little cunt.”

  “Yes…” She hisses, riding faster. “More…”

  My lips are in her hair beside her ear. “You’re so wet for me.”

  “Oh, God…” she whimpers, lowering her legs and turning on my lap so her back is to me.

  Rocking her hips, she writhes against my chest, holding my neck with her hand as she moves up and down on my dick.

  My hand is between her thighs, rubbing her clit, and looking down, I watch her breasts bounce as her ass slams against my body. “You make me so fucking hard.” Another little whimper, and I bite the skin at the side of her neck. “Come for me.”

  Her back arches, and she moans loudly, shuddering and clenching. Flattening my palm against her stomach, I hold her as my own orgasm breaks. I strain and buck as her body tightens around me. With another slow thrust, come spills onto our legs.

  Another cleanup is short-lived. Halfway through lunch, we end up feeding each other and fucking. Later on the couch, we start watching a show and end doing a sixty-nine. Even after we finally collapse into bed exhausted, I wake before dawn with a raging hard-on.

  Her back is to me, her round little ass pressing against my stomach. It only takes a shift of my hips to be inside her. My fingers find her clit, and she wakes, moaning and coming.

  Standing in her kitchen in my uniform at 8 a.m., I wait as she finishes getting ready for work. She emerges from the bathroom in a gray dress that extends below her knees and a pair of chunky white tennis shoes. Her pretty hair hangs in loose waves down her back, and I reach out to pull her into my arms.

  “You look delicious.” I lean down to kiss her neck.

  Her eyes cut to the side, and she teases. “I remember when you complained about how I dressed.”

  “Those cutoffs and boots? Hell, you nearly had my dick hard in front of Doug and everybody.”

  “I like your dick hard.” She grins, wrinkling her nose adorably. “I’ll be walking funny all day because of it.”

  “I love your walk.” Leaning down, I kiss her glossy pink lips.

  She lifts her chin with a laugh. “I have to apologize to Danielle Steel.” My brow quirks, and she explains. “When Stan was holding me hostage, I was reading one of her books and the couple had sex for twelve hours straight. I said it was unbelievable.”

  My lips pucker, and I nod. “Yeah, we beat that.”

  “We did.” She kisses me again before dragging me to the door. “You go first. I’ll wait a few minutes, so we don’t arrive at the same time.”

  “I’m pretty sure they’re on to us.”

  “Just go.”

  Another kiss, and I head out the door, jogging down the stairs to where Gwen is standing at the entrance to the Star Parlor. “Good morning, Sheriff. I didn’t expect to see you looking so well-rested today.”

  “Good morning, Gwen.” Not discussing my sex life with her.

  My hand is on the doorknob when she stops me. “I did a reading for you this morning.” One backwards glance, and she waves a hand. “I know, I know, but it was very interesting. The Ten of Cups, the Four of Wands, and the Empress.”

  “I don’t know what any of that means.”

  “Love, marriage, happily ever after, babies…”

  Releasing the door, I nod, holding up both hands. “You’re right. You win. All of that is correct.”

  She responds with the first genuine smile she’s ever given me. “Take care of my daughter.”

  “I intend to—forever.”

  The door opens above, and Britt steps out, locking it before heading down the stairs. When she sees us, she stops with a little, “Oh!”

  I hold out my hand, and she shakes her head, walking down to my side. Her mother nods, and it’s official, I believe in magic.

  Or more correctly, I believe in love, and this girl at my side is magic. Although, now I realize love is also magic, and with enough love, you can do anything.

  You can change your life.

  You can even change your mind.

  It only took a little taste to find the love of a lifetime.

  EPILOGUE

  BRITT

  Six months later

  “Balance is the first thing you have to master.” Adam stands behind me on the surfboard, lightly holding my waist. “Balance is the key.”

  “Sounds like life.” My arms are extended, and my knees are bent as the small waves form under us.

  “You’d be surprised. I’ve had a lot of insights out here riding the waves.”

  “I’m sure you have.” The deep voice at my feet sends a thrill to my core.

  “Aiden, look!” The wake from him swimming to us bounces the board, and I start to wobble. “Whoa… I think I’m doing it!”

  “You’re amazing. I’m coming up to help you.”

  “What’s wrong, bro? Jealous?” Adam laughs, slowly lowering to his knees. “You got it Britt. Keep your knees soft.”

  He tips off the side of the board, and I let out a little yelp when it rocks. Still I manage to stay on my feet. My heart is beating so fast, and my tongue sticks out between my teeth.

  “Get on your knees,” Aiden orders, holding the sides of the wide, beginner board.

  Keeping my eyes focused straight ahead, I do as he says, lowering to my knees and then taking a seat. He climbs up, straddling the board behind me, and I lean against his chest, tilting my face up to kiss his salty jaw.

  “I’m glad you joined me.” His warm skin is against my bare back, and I’m less interested in surfing now. “Maybe we can slip into the water and scare the fish.”

  A laugh vibrates through his chest, sending another surge of energy to my stomach. “Come on, let’s try this.”

  Looping a strong arm around my bare midriff, we slowly make our way to standing. A gentle wave lifts the board, and I move in time with him holding me. I love Aiden’s large hands on my bare skin, and surfing is like a dance.

  “We should surf together every time,” I yell over my shoulder. “We’ll be like those old beach movies where their hair never gets wet.”

  A rough wake catches us, and out of nowhere a wave runner flies past us, sending a curve of water and upending the board. Grabbing my nose, I squeal and fall into the ocean. Aiden dives off the other side then swims under to where I’m paddling.

  “You okay?” He’s breathless, but I’m nodding as I grab his shoulders. His jaw is tight, and he grabs the board, pushing up to sit on it before helping me climb aboard. “Those assholes are inside the buoys. Someone could get hurt.”

  His brow is lowered, and he’s studying the wave runner zipping around several feet from where we’re floating. Shouts from the beach get my attention, and I look over to see Piper and Cass waving. I wave back, giving them a thumbs-up.

  Owen and Ryan run past them with Edward bounding along and Pinky doing her best preschool joggle behind them.

  “Let’s head back to the shore. It’s almost time to go.”

  “I’ll pull you in.” He kisses the top of my shoulder before slipping into the water again, and it’s the sweetest hit of dopamine.

  He’s about to pull me in when the wave runner circles around to where we are, slowing this time and floating closer to us.

  “Hey, there!” Shading my eyes with my hand, I almost recognize the female voice. “Didn’t mean to throw you just then.”

  “No worries,” I call, giving a little wave.

  I expect her to leave, but instead she gives the vehicle a bump of gas that scoots her closer to where I’m sitting. “Britt Bailey, is that you? My goodness, it is you! I’ve been wondering where you went. I thought you might have drowned.”

  The voice clicks in my memory, and I wrinkle my nose, trying to smile. “Maylynn? What in the world are you doing out here?”

  “You’re just never going to believe. Keekee’s cousin Harold owns a popcorn place near this teeny little town. He’s been begging us to come for a visit. It’s where the Stone Cold distillery is located. You probably don’t know anything about bourbon, but it’s very prestigious.”

  My lips part, and I’m about to burst her bubble when Aiden surfaces beside me, wrapping a muscled arm over the board. “Everything okay back here?”

  “Well, hello.” Lowering her shades, Maylynn’s eyebrows rise. “If the lifeguards are that handsome, maybe we all should try drowning.”

  She lets out a shrieky laugh that makes me cringe. “That was my worst fear,” I point out quietly as Aiden’s brow lowers.

  “Aiden Stone, this is Maylynn Evers. From Greenville.” I wave my hand back and forth between them.

  “I see.” He’s not impressed. “Next time keep that thing outside the buoys. You could kill somebody.”

  “Yes, sir, handsome lifeguard.” She laughs more, turning the machine and starting the engine. “We should meet up at the popcorn palace, Britt. I’d love to catch up.”

  With that she zips away, and I look down at Aiden, who’s still frowning. “I don’t like her.”

  His flat statement of fact hits me just the right way, and I start to laugh. The more confused he looks, the more I laugh until I lean down to kiss his lips. “Pull me in, Mr. Handsome Lifeguard.”

  “I’ll do more than that.” His voice turns naughty, and he kisses the top of my thigh, sending heat racing to my core.

  “Hold that thought. I have to meet up with the girls tonight, and you’re taking the kids to see a movie in the park.”

  “How many times can they watch Finding Nemo?” he growls. “That opening scene is the worst.”

  “But the rest is so funny and good, and you have Dorie and all her forgetting. Make a popcorn run during the beginning part.”

  He grins up at me, and I lean down to slide my hand along his cheek. My platinum engagement ring sparkles on my finger, and I sit up holding it with my thumb as he pulls me to shore.

  He gave it to me last Friday night after dinner on the deck. Owen couldn’t sit still the entire meal, but I thought it was because he wanted to teach Edward to catch a frisbee. He’d been talking about it all week.

  Instead, once the dishes were cleared and we’d cleaned up, the two of them disappeared into the house. When they returned, Owen was holding a chocolate cupcake with a sparkler on top for a candle, and Aiden had a sheepish grin on his lips.

  “It’s not my birthday.” I sat straighter, taking the gift from Owen.

  “No.” He shook his little-boy head, turning serious. “We have something very important to ask you.” My eyes widened, and he continued. “Dad and I had a talk last night, and we decided it would be a good idea for you and Edward to live here with us. He said zebras live in families, and we should be a family, too.”

  My eyes flew to Aiden’s, and when I saw a mist in his eyes, my breath hiccuped. “You want me to be your family?”

  Owen’s voice turned thoughtful. “I asked Dad if you could be my mom, and he said he asked you to marry him, so that would make you my stepmom. I think that’s a good idea, but you’ll be my nice stepmom. Not a wicked one like in the Disney movies, but a nice one like in that old movie Miss Cass made us watch, where they sang all the time.”