Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

between us except for the silk of her pajamas and the cotton of my briefs. I kissed her neck, her cheek, her mouth as she turned her face.

Her eyes shone with tears and happiness. “I love you, Gabe. Nothing would make me happier than being your wife.”

I moved her hand from around my neck, sliding the ring onto her finger. She looked down at her hand, resting on my thigh. As if she could read the doubts in my head, she said, “It’s perfect.” She kissed me. “You’re perfect.”

She cupped my jaw with the hand bearing my ring, her eyes full of love, I believed her. I felt her joy in my soul. I let it wrap around my heart and mind. Nothing could penetrate this moment.

“You’re so beautiful.” It was something I’d told her many times, but it would never be enough.

She smiled, tilting her head slightly. “You’re beautiful. Your soul, your strength, your mind.”

I wanted to argue with her, but she kissed me lightly, breathing the words across my lips. “Don’t. Stop doubting that I’m the one for you. That we’re perfect for each other. I’ll prove it to you every day of our lives.”

“Yes.” The word came out as a soft hiss, a giving in to her request.

How had I ever gotten this lucky? To be raised the way I was, to live the way I had.

I kissed her, pouring every bit of happiness, longing, and desire into it, leaning her back until she laid on the bed. I slid my hand under her silk camisole, feeling the warmth of her skin, letting it ground me in this moment. Nothing would ever feel better than being with her, knowing she loved me.

I wanted her naked underneath me and nothing between us. No doubts, no worries, just pure love. She sat up, pulling her top off while I tugged her tiny shorts and scrap of lace off.

I used my shoulders to spread her legs, settling between them. I’d never get enough of her. “I love you, so much.”

I didn’t wait for her response, I kissed her pussy like I had her mouth, open-mouthed, full of love and desire. I worshipped her like she deserved.

I was just this broken guy waiting for this amazing woman to walk into my bar, showing me there was more to my lonely existence. She’d helped me be the person I was supposed to be all along. I reached up, rolling her nipple. Her hips lifted, seeking my mouth. Her thighs trembled as I closed my lips around her clit, my finger entering her slick heat. She tipped her head back, letting out a moan as she spasmed around me. I let her ride the waves while I continued pumping inside her. When she laid back on the bed, I ripped off my briefs in a hurry to be inside her. I kneeled between her legs, lining up my cock with her glistening pussy.

Taylor’s hand wrapped around my wrist. “I want you, Gabe.”

I moved my weight to my forearms, her nipples brushing the hair on my chest as I kissed her. I slid my cock through her folds.

She whimpered with each pass over her clit. “You’re driving me crazy.”

“That’s the idea, babe.”

She lifted her hips to meet me. When I slowly slid my cock inside, she sighed as if she’d never felt anything better.

I made love to her, showing her how it would always be between us, full of love, respect, and passion. We whispered I love yous as we crested together. The euphoria of her saying yes and our lovemaking lasted through the night as I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight.

***

“Are you ready for this?” Taylor asked as the plane descended into Baltimore. Her hand rested lightly on her still-flat belly.

“I think so.” Shortly after getting engaged, we talked about starting a family sooner rather than later. I was a little worried about how good of a father I’d be, but Taylor reminded me that I’d done a good job of mentoring Zach. A baby was different, but I’d have Taylor at my side.

We were going home for an engagement party her parents were throwing for us, and to look for a possible location to open a bar. We’d always planned on moving to Annapolis. Taylor wanted to be with her family, especially now that she was pregnant. Her friends who opened a law firm had told her there was a position waiting for her whenever she was ready.

Touching down on the runway, I asked, “Are we going to tell them everything?”

She bit her lip. “I want to. Are you okay with that?”

“I’m fine with that.”

I stood, shouldering my duffel, then grabbing our carry-on bag.

“Let’s tell my family before the party.”

“Good idea.” I was a little worried about her family’s reaction, but I hoped overall they’d be happy for us.

A few hours later, we knocked on her parents’ door. Her father, Matthew, opened it. Taylor walked into his arms, her mother, Phyllis, walked toward us, a smile on her face.

I shook Matthew’s hand. “Good to see you.”

“We’re so happy you’re here. Caleb’s been so excited.” Phyllis hugged Taylor, then me.

We moved into the living room, greeting Caleb who was watching TV.

“We have some news,” Taylor said after sitting on the couch.

“Oh?” Phyllis asked.

“We’d like to get married in Annapolis.”

This was the easiest declaration. I knew her parents would be happy about our plan to move back and get married here.

Phyllis clasped her hands together. “Oh good. I can’t wait to start planning.”

“And we’d like to move back here,” Taylor added.

“To Annapolis?” her dad asked.

“Yes.” Taylor grabbed my hand, pulling it into her lap as if she needed the extra support. “We’ve always talked about moving back and now that we’re pregnant” —she exchanged a smile with me— “it’s the perfect time.”

“Pregnant?” her dad repeated, looking from Taylor to me.

Her mom seemed momentarily stunned by her pronouncement.

I cleared my throat. “That’s right. We’re, I mean, Taylor’s pregnant with our baby.”

Taylor squeezed