As I came down, I was aware of so many little things at once: Cara, resting her head on the inside of my thigh, a contented smile on her face. The sound of my own breathing. The way the light caught the slight reddish tints in Cara’s hair. The sheen of moisture on her lips, from me.
“Are you sure that’s the first time you’ve done that?” Cara smiled slowly and then licked her lips.
“I told you, I took anatomy. And it doesn’t hurt that I’m working with the same equipment. And I pay attention.” She did at that.
“You’re...” I couldn’t find the right words. I patted her on the top of the head. “Yeah. Just, yeah.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Do you mind if I get myself off real quick? I’m so turned on I could fucking die.”
I sat up and stared at her as if she had lost her mind.
“And what am I gonna do? Just lay here? I think the fuck not.” I pulled my legs out from under her and then pushed her back on the bed where I’d been laying.
“No, I’m getting you off or dying in the attempt.”
I did get her off. Twice.
Later on, when we were both wrapped around each other, I couldn’t get the smile off my face, but I really didn’t want to. We still had the lights on and neither of us had any intention of going to sleep, even though we were wrung out.
“Are you thinking about your spreadsheet right now?” I asked as she played with my hair, twisting pieces of it together.
“No. I’m just thinking about how you’re all I’ve ever wanted and I can’t believe I have you.” I lifted my head from her chest so I could look at her.
“You have me? Is that so?”
“You know what I mean, Loren. Not that you belong to me, or you’re my property, but that you’re here in my arms and we’re married. Who gets married and then falls in love?” I put my head back on her chest and listened to her heart. Every now and then our hearts would beat at the same time.
“Did we really fall in love after we got married? I feel like I’ve spent my entire life falling in love with you, Care. It feels like we’re finally here, after the longest journey.” She sighed happily and kissed the top of my head.
“You’re right. We’ve been falling in love since you grabbed my hand and said ‘you’re my best friend now.’ Bossy little thing.”
I poked her stomach lightly.
“I just saw what I wanted and then spent the next eighteen years trying to get it. Some strategy.” She snorted.
“You’re not the only one who took her time. But we’re here now. And I’m not going anywhere.” Her stomach rumbled.
“Are you hungry? We should have some snacks before we go again.” I sat up and looked down at her, spread out on my bed. The sexiest, prettiest, smartest, most caring, most compassionate girl in the entire world. My girl.
“Round two?” she asked, smiling slowly.
“Yeah, we have a shit ton of sex to make up for. I plan on making the most of it.” I hopped out of bed and started to go for the fridge, but she reached out and grabbed my arm.
“The food can wait.”
I squealed as she pulled me back into bed.
Epilogue
“So, wait. Let me get this right. You got married to get Lo’s inheritance, you weren’t in love, but then you realized you were in love and now you’re renewing your vows after three months of marriage?” Ansel asked.
I looked at Cara, and she grinned at me.
“Exactly,” I said.
“So you weren’t together when you got married,” Kell said. I knew it was going to take a while to explain this to everyone, but it finally felt like the right time. We’d called them all to our house and had promised Chinese food if they came.
“This is fucking wild,” Cedar said. Jamie and Alex were speechless, and Jason wouldn’t stop laughing.
“So you lied to us?” Anh said. I could tell she was hurt.
“We did, and we’re sorry. At the time, I was afraid to tell you because we both thought that you might judge us. In hindsight, I realize that was a bad decision, and I can’t do anything but tell you how sorry we both are, and that we will never, ever, do anything like this again.” I mean, what were the chances that this particular situation would happen a second time? I didn’t think they were high.