My Greatest Joy (Maplewood Falls #2)

Chapter Twenty-Four

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

FALLON

Where the hell is he?

I’m freezing my ass off on Levi’s deck.

Why did I think this was a good idea?

Oh right, I’m trying to be romantic, and well, right now, I’m scared he won’t feel the same.

What’s taking him so long?

I know he read my email fifteen minutes ago when I peeked into his front window.

And yes, that makes me sound like the obsessive murder-y type, but I tried to time this perfectly, and he’s ruining it.

Time for plan B.

I brought a dog whistle just in case I needed a little help from Dasher.

Here goes nothing.

When I blow it, Dasher barks. Then I do it until I hear his paws dancing across the hardwood flooring. I suppress a laugh when Levi yells for him to chill out. My heart races when the shuffling of his feet comes closer.

Finally.

Dasher will get all the treats for being the goodest boy.

“Okay, relax! Dasher, chill out. Let’s go outside.”

When Levi opens the door, Dasher immediately spots me and jumps up. Levi’s jaw drops, searching me over with wide eyes.

“Fallon?”

“Hey.” I smile, trying to push Dasher off me.

“Wh-What are you doing here?”

“Getting frostbite, apparently.”

“Jesus, sorry. Come inside.” He grabs my hand and pulls me in, then shuts the door behind us. “Your face is so cold.” He cups my cheeks, and I lean into his warmth.

“You took forever reading my email,” I murmur. “In hindsight, I should’ve knocked.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry. I got a little emotional, and then Dasher lost his shit.”

I hold up the whistle and smirk. “I needed his help.”

He shakes his head with amusement. “So you quit your job?”

“Yep. Handed in my last assignment yesterday and flew in this morning.”

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

His giddy smile is contagious.

I don’t know who moves first, but when our mouths crash together, he twists his tongue with mine.

“I’ve missed you so fucking much.”

“I missed you too,” I tell him as he presses his forehead to mine. “I couldn’t walk away from the love of my life.”

He pulls back.

“ Dasher ,” I confirm, and he bursts out laughing.

“That little bastard stole my woman.”

I chuckle. “No, I’m all yours. That’s if…you’ll have me?”

“Fallon, I’m crazy about you.”

“I wasn’t sure if surprising you would be inconvenient or—” I tilt my head when I notice the suitcases by the door. “Oh, shit. Are you going somewhere?”

He grins, scrubbing a hand through his hair. “Well, I was .”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve called. Just showing up sounds romantic in the movies, but?—”

He closes the gap between us and takes my mouth again. “Baby, I was going to see you.”

“What? You were?”

“Before I got your emails, I had everything planned. Lucy was going to watch Dasher. I took off work for a week. I even bought one of those neck pillows so I could sleep on the plane.”

I snort, shaking my head in disbelief.

“Well, it’s a good thing I came today because there wouldn’t have been an apartment for you to visit me in. I moved out.”

“Good, because now that I have you here, I’m not letting you go.” He lifts me until my legs wrap around his waist. “Your article is brilliant, by the way. You’re a talented writer.”

“I’m happy you liked it.” I bring my lips back to his. “I hope everyone else does.”

“They will.”

He walks us into the living room and sits on the couch with my thighs straddling him. I remove my coat and hat, then wrap my arms around his neck. Before I can kiss him again, he cups my cheek.

“You have no idea how hard I’ve fallen for you. Having you back in my arms is a dream come true,” he says so sweetly, then kisses the tip of my nose.

“I couldn’t live with myself if I let the best thing that’s ever happened to me get away. Falling for you was unexpected, but I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

“I’m so in love with you, Fallon. You have no idea how much you’ve impacted my life.” Dasher jumps on the couch and licks my face. “His too, apparently.”

We laugh as I give him much-earned attention. Finally, he gets down and lies on the floor.

“My family will freak when they find out you’re here,” he says. “Especially Lucy.”

“Maybe we don’t tell them right away?” I bite my lip with a mischievous grin. “Well, you can tell your sister so she doesn’t barge in on something she’ll regret seeing.”

He arches a brow with a devious smirk as if he likes where this conversation is going.

“We could stay locked up here for the next week and make up for lost time,” I suggest, and by his erection poking into me, I know he’s on board.

“You’re so naughty.” He smacks my ass, grinding me harder against him.

I smile wide. “That’s why you love me.”

“So goddamn much.”

Our lips fuse as he pulls off my shirt, then unsnaps my bra. I turn and look at Dasher, who’s staring at us.

“Bedroom,” I mutter, and he immediately agrees.

He carries me over his shoulder, and I squeal for him to put me down.

“Don’t think my possessive mountain man ways have changed since you left.”

“Damn you.” I chuckle.

Once he sets me on the bed, I lie back, and he towers over me. “I’m spending every minute of the next seven days inside you. Hope you’re ready.”

“You’re gonna have to caffeinate and feed me at some point,” I tease.

“Okay, deal. But for right now, I’m not waiting another second.”

He strips off his clothes, then removes the rest of mine. “Spread those legs for me, my love,” he demands as he strokes his thick cock, staring between my thighs. “Fuck, you’re perfect.”

Levi kneels on the bed and positions himself at my entrance, teasing my clit with his crown. “Let me hear you say those words again.”

“Which ones?”

“That you love me.”

“I flew three thousand miles for you,” I retort.

With a small thrust, he goes in one inch. “Say. The. Words. Fallon.”

Smirking, I reach down and play with my clit. “I. Love. You.” I repeat his emphasis on each word but also want to make sure he truly understands how much he means to me. “But if you don’t fuck me right this minute, I’m going to scream.”

“Don’t worry, baby. You’ll still be screaming.”

Then he pushes all the way inside, and I gasp at the tight intrusion. “God, yes.”

“Are you on birth control?” he asks, and I’m slightly taken aback by the timing of his question.

“Isn’t that something you should’ve asked over a month ago?” I breathe out between his movements.

“Probably.” He laughs, slowing his pace. “But I used a condom the first time, and then I always pulled out after. So that’s why I need to know now.”

I worry he’s going to be mad but answer him honestly. “No. The hormones always messed with me, and I got tired of trying new ones.”

“Fuck, explain to me why that makes me want to knock you up right now.”

I beam at the thought. “Do it.”

He arches a brow as if he wasn’t expecting that response.

“I’d love nothing more than to have a family with you,” I confirm.

“Goddamn, woman. You’ve unleashed something feral inside me, and now that I’m on a mission, I won’t stop until we succeed.”

I chuckle. “You and your missions are what got us here.”

He buries his cock in deeper as he kisses my neck and groans in my ear. “You’re so perfect for me, baby. So damn smart, beautiful, and witty. I still can’t believe you’re here.”

“I’m never leaving you again,” I promise, wrapping my arms around him.

“Good, because next time, I will chase you.”

I laugh, then bite down on my bottom lip because at any second, I’ll explode. “Make me come, please . I’m so close.”

“Hold on tight. I’m about to put a baby inside you.”

As soon as he says those words, my legs shake, and pleasure shoots down my body. I moan out his name and claw at his back, and he buries his face in my neck and sucks hard.

“ One ,” I say unprompted.

His lips turn up into a pleased grin. “Such a good girl.”

My cheeks heat, loving his praise.

“With what I have planned for you this week, you’ll be counting much higher than that. But this time, I need you right now.”

“ Yes, please. ”

“I hope you were serious about the baby thing. Otherwise, you better speak up.”

Instead of answering, I lock my ankles behind his back and dig my fingers into his arms. He’s not going anywhere.

“Fuck,” he growls.

Moments later, he’s filling me full, giving me everything and more.

“I can’t wait to see you pregnant with my baby.” He kisses me.

“Me too. Dasher will make a great big brother,” I say as we breathlessly lie next to each other.

“I agree.” He pulls me into him, then covers us with the blankets.

“I love you,” I whisper once we’ve caught our breaths.

“I love you so much.” He rests his palm on my belly. “And our child.”

I chuckle. “Getting a little ahead, aren’t we?”

“Never. If you thought I was possessive over you before, just wait.”

I playfully roll my eyes. We lie in bed for hours, snuggling and talking about our future. For the first time, I’m looking forward to next Christmas. We could be parents by then and make our own family holiday traditions.

Something I never knew I wanted until I met Levi.