Page 52 of Rowe

CHAPTER NINETEEN

It was five hours later before Rowe came back into the store. Mara heard echoes of gunfire, but it seemed far away. She would ask Beaux and Tucker what was happening and they would just smile and nod, as if she knew what that meant.

When Rowe finally appeared, he thanked Tucker and Beaux, taking Mara’s hand and leading her to one of the moored boats.

“Time to go home,” he said calmly.

Mara didn’t say anything. She didn’t ask any questions. She didn’t look for bodies. She knew that it was taken care of in the way that the men of Belle Fleur always take care of things. Somewhere in her brain she thought she might be upset by taking the life of a man, or men. But when it came down to it, there was nothing about Rossi that deserved to live. Nothing.

“I’m going to shower,” said Rowe. Mara nodded at him. She waited a few moments and then heard the water running in the shower. Quietly, she tiptoed to the bedroom and removed her own clothing. Stepping inside the bathroom, the steam was overwhelming. She opened the shower door and stepped inside behind Rowe.

Wrapping her arms around his waist, he startled, then held her hands there. She didn’t move. She didn’t speak. She just held him. Then slowly, one hand moved up his chest, the other moved lower.

Mara felt the soft curls below his bellybutton, then she continued while her other hand felt the rippling muscles of his abdomen and chest.

“Mara,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Baby, if you keep doing that…”

“I know exactly what will happen, Rowe. Take me. Love me.”

Rowe didn’t hesitate. He turned and lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist. His thick cock touched her opening and she gasped, feeling his size against her own small entrance. He covered her mouth with his own and rammed upward, slamming into her.

She was so fucking tight he thought she might be a virgin. He slowed, waiting and then she began to rock her hips, back and forth, back, and forth. He knew he didn’t have a condom on. He didn’t care. This was it. Now and forever.

Mara came first, just as he’d planned. His own followed like a molten hot avalanche of desire. He settled her feet on the floor of the shower and cleaned her body.

Then he did it again.

When their legs were shaking, he carried her to bed, not caring that they were dripping from the shower. He made love to her over and over again. No long discussions. No explicit instruction. Just their intuition and passion taking hold.

When sunlight filled the room, Rowe smiled. The storm was over. Everything will be normal again soon. Hopefully. He rolled over and stared into the most gorgeous eyes he’d ever seen.

“What now?” she smiled.

“Now you marry me,” he said calmly. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise and she started to speak. “It doesn’t have to be today or tomorrow or next week. Just promise me you’ll marry me.”

“That’s the easiest promise I’ll ever keep,” she smiled, kissing him again.

Breakfast was chaotic and special meetings were being called to review an issue that apparently would change not just their world, but the entire world. New footage of something happening in the tech space was on every screen on the property and the men and women were almost afraid to speak.

“Heads up!” yelled Ham. “Mike just called and said they’re three men short today. They’re helping their own families clean up after the storm. Can we get three folks to step in?”

“I’ll go,” said Jethro. “I’ve had firefighter training.”

“Same,” said Sonny.

“Me three,” smirked Brunson.

“Fantastic,” nodded Ham. “Thanks, brothers.” Jethro smiled at him as the three men began to walk toward the door.

“Being called a brother in this place, here, with all of you? That’s all the payment I need.”