Should’ve Known It’s You (Not You Again #7)

Chapter 73

CHAPTER 73

AUSTIN

A fter we’d gotten back from the Maldives, Kennedy had surprised me one day with a box bearing the name and branding of a well-known IUD. Thinking she wanted to talk to me about getting it, I got all excited about the possibilities, but I’d been a little confused when she’d told me to look inside the box.

When I’d opened it, I’d found only a folded-up sheet of paper instead of any kind of device, which had confused me even more until I’d looked at what was on the paper. It turned out to be a printout of her STD test results showing that she was clean.

She’d then surprised the heck out of me when she’d added that she’d also already been to the doctor, which had been why the box was empty. I’d almost tripped over my own feet trying to get to her, practically tearing off my own clothes right there in the kitchen, but then I’d remembered her test results.

She’d made the effort to bring them to me and I’d figured the least I could do was return the favor. I’d gone right out to get tested myself, and after the excruciating waiting period had been over, I’d received a clean bill of health too.

We’d put condoms in our rearview mirror that very same day and I’d never looked back. I thrust into her on the bed of what I’d come to think of as our stateroom. Her slick heat enveloped me. The feeling of being inside her without anything between us still catapulted me right to the edge even after all these months.

I tried to drag in a steadying breath, but it caught in my throat when I saw her eyes cloud over with lust and pleasure. I groaned, thrusting into her again and setting a pace that was going to make me lose it way too soon, but I couldn’t slow down.

Kennedy’s nails dug into my back. Her muscles fluttered around my cock and a soft moan escaped her. I dropped my forehead to hers, clenching my teeth as my hips held that punishing rhythm. With every thrust, I got closer to euphoria.

I reached between us, my thumb finding her clit and quickly circling it. Almost immediately, she bucked underneath me. Her muscles started stiffening. Knowing she was almost there, I drew on every ounce of self-control I’d ever possessed not to go over before her.

Despite how many times she’d told me not to hold back, I was just never going to be that guy. Besides, my orgasms were always so much more powerful if I knew she’d gotten there first.

Angling my pelvis, I lifted her knee to my hip to reach deeper. She whimpered, her calf flexing under my hand as her toes curled. I felt her starting to shake, her lips now fixed in a tight little ‘O’ and her eyes screwed tightly shut.

“Come for me, Kenny,” I commanded harshly, so close I could almost taste it. “Now, baby. Come for me. Let go.”

Suddenly lifting her head, she slammed her lips back into mine before she let out a keening cry into my mouth. The next second, she finally did as I’d told her to, stiffening underneath me. I swallowed her moans and kept thrusting into her, doing my best to see her through before I finally reached that towering high.

Tingles shot up my spine, making me feel an almost sacred kickback as I exploded into that world of pleasure. My whole body shuddered, my muscles going weak. Drawing her into my arms, I fell down on the mattress beside her.

For a moment, the whole world was still and relaxed. Our breathing was still pants as we lay there, but I could tell almost the exact moment that her brain switched back on. She lay with her head on my shoulder and she tensed just a little bit, her breathing suddenly changing to something shallower again, but this time, I had a feeling it was from panic instead of pleasure.

“I’m not making a sacrifice,” I promised her quietly, turning my head to press a gentle kiss to her temple. “We’re not in financial trouble and we’re not going to be.”

“What about all the money you’ve put into the hotel?” she whispered. “We’re nowhere near the point where it can start paying you back.”

“The money I put into the hotel barely put a dent in my finances,” I said honestly. “Especially after Slate came onboard. I don’t need it to start paying me back in order to be secure, baby. I promise. The royalties from the oil wells alone could keep me living like a spoiled prince.”

She rolled onto her side and propped herself up on her elbow to look into my eyes, and I saw the fear and uncertainty in hers. “Okay, but it’s also not just about the money, is it? What about you? You loved your job.”

“I love being here with you more. And that job had lost its luster well before you came back into my life.”

She chewed on her lower lip uncertainly. “You’re not just saying that, are you?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Investing was all about raw numbers and profits. I had no personal connection to the things we put our money into. With this hotel, it’s not just a smart investment. It’s something I’m passionate about too.”

“You can’t tell me this was the job you dreamed of when you were a kid,” Kennedy said sadly.

I chuckled. “Did I want to run a hotel when I grew up? Absolutely not. Until I met you. Your enthusiasm was contagious, and helping you bring your vision to life has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

Tears misted her eyes. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” I shrugged. “But there’s no question we’re stronger together. And when I was sitting in my office those last few weeks, reviewing spreadsheets, all I wanted was to be here with you. Together we can pour all our energy into this place and make it shine.”

Her gaze moved from one of my eyes to the other. “Promise me that if you ever start feeling unfulfilled, you’ll tell me. We’ll make a plan together to find your next path. It doesn’t always have to be this.”

“I promise.” In my heart, I knew it wasn’t going to happen, but I also knew how much it meant to her to know that I would be honest with her if it ever did. “Don’t worry about it so much though, okay?”

“How am I not supposed to worry?” She scoffed softly, her head shaking as she hung it. “You turned your entire career upside down this morning. The real question is, why aren’t you freaking out?”

“Because plans change,” I said easily, running my fingertips up and down the length of her back. “Sure, I had certain goals when I left the farm. Being an investment banker was one of them. But then a beautiful woman seduced me in front of some fireflies and my goals in life have changed.”

Kenny tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. “I just want to make your dreams come true also.”

“This moment right here is my dream. Holding you, breathing the same air, building a future together?” I let out a long breath and shook my head. “I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

I lifted my head to kiss her and she smiled against my lips. “Alright, well, if we’re both going to be dependent on this place being a success, we should get back to work.”

I chuckled. “Sure thing, boss. Just let me know if the stress ever gets to be too much for you. I’ve got a few ideas for how I can help unwind now that we’re going to be here together all the time.”

Her eyes widened with laughter and she smacked my shoulder. “You know, it might not be such a good idea for you to be here full-time. We’re never going to get anything done if that’s your attitude.”

I winked as I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her to me. “Unless I’m very much mistaken, I just got it done, so the joke’s on you.”

She giggled and wriggled out of my arms. Laughing, she hopped off the bed and reached for her clothes. “Let’s go, Merrick. The work is part of the dream.”

“I’m at your service.” I got my clothes back on too, eager to start the rest of my life with her.

As I watched the most beautiful woman in the world struggle to get her sundress on straight, I smiled and let out a sigh of contentment. The crazy farm girl with big ideas and bold plans had stolen my heart and soul.

She was my dream.

Whatever happened, as long as I was with Kennedy, I knew I would be okay. The only thing I had to do now was convince her of that.