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They reached for each other. This was the part she liked most about their marriage. Yes, the great sex, but more than that was that they nurtured the intimacy between them. It had kept their connection and the love between them strong all these years.
She hoped that no matter what trials and tribulations came their way, they’d always have this and the trust and love they’d built between them.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Cody knocked on Summer’s door without toppling the tray of food he’d reheated in the kitchen. She didn’t answer, so he cracked the door open and called out, “Summer, it’s me.”
“I’ll be out in just a sec.” She was still in the bathroom.
“I’ll be on the patio outside your room.”
“Okay.”
He went out the sliding door and set the tray on the table next to the lounge chair. He pulled the cushioned rocking chair over and sat, letting the sound of the waterfall in the small pond and the quiet night calm him.
“Hey.” Summer stood in the doorway wearing a pair of black yoga pants and socks, a pink T-shirt, and a black cardigan. “I feel underdressed for this patio dinner.”
He realized he was still wearing his suit. He hooked his fingers over the knot in his tie, pulled it loose, and undid the top button on his shirt. He held his hand out to her.
She took it, and he pulled her around in front of him, then tugged her hand so she’d take the hint and sit on his lap. She settled on his thigh and leaned back into him as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
“Are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that.” He hugged her to him, a need deep inside him wanting to comfort and erase all the bad from today.
She rubbed her head against his. “I like this.”
He held her tighter.
She snuggled into him. “What’s your favorite thing to do when you have nothing to do?”
“What?” He hadn’t anticipated the odd question.
“I’m changing the subject. Right now, I’m more interested inyouthan anything else.”
He didn’t know what to do with the way that hit him with so much emotion, so he went with honesty. “These days, all I want to do is spend time with you.”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me.” She shifted on his lap, cupped his face, and kissed him softly, her eyes locked with his. The soft press of her lips to his wasn’t nearly enough, but the warmth and emotion she packed into it told him everything he needed to know.
She cared about him.
She wanted him.
This was just the beginning.
She broke the kiss, but remained close, her eyes locked with his. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“I can’t stand it when you’re not smiling.”
“That’s very sweet.”
“I don’t get why Natalie would do something so dismissive.”
Summer pressed her lips tight, then her stomach rumbled. “Let’s forget it and eat.”
“Your discharge papers said not to eat until tomorrow and to drink a lot of water.”
“I’m starving. They gave me anti-nausea meds. I’ll take my chances.”
