Here's to Forever Read Free

laughter.
    “Nope, not good enough.”
    “I love you?”
    “Closer…” I say, dropping my head next to hers and grazing my lips along her ear. Her giggles turn to soft moans and her squirms turn into more concentrated movements, her body rubbing against mine in sinful ways.
    “You’re the most amazing man in the whole wide world?”
    “I know, darlin’, I know,” I tease. “Flattery will get you everywhere with me.” I give her a quick peck directly below her earlobe before whispering, “But that’s not what I want to hear.”
    I use the soft pressure of my lips mixed with day-old stubble to seduce the words out of her. I gingerly run them down her neck to her collarbone, begging the words to fall from her lips.
    I know it’s going to work when Rae’s breaths become harsh like she’s just finished scaling a mountain—which she kind of has since the two words I want to hear are about as strenuous for her to admit as the physical intensity of a climb.
    While they are her least favorite words, they are far from mine.
    She huffs, a mixture of irritation and sexual frustration. “Fine. I’ll say it.”
    “Good. I knew you’d—”
    “On one condition,” she interrupts.
    Lifting my head, I narrow my eyes at her. “You are in no position to negotiate.”
    “Oh, but I am, Hudson. You see, you’re lying on top of me, attempting to rile me up—and it’s working. But you’ve forgotten that your eight-year-old daughter is upstairs right now and can come down at any moment. That means your, ahem, excitement over our current position could be your downfall.”
    It’s my turn to huff. “What do you want.”
    Nope, not even phrasing that as a question. Little sneak.
    “ You have to make the break and bakes because I’ll probably burn the entire house down trying to do so.”
    Laughter rumbles in my chest. “You’re exhausting.”
    Rae reaches up and nuzzles her nose against mine, lingering only seconds to graze her lips over my own. “But you love me anyway.”
    “Just a wee little bit.”
    She captures my mouth fully with hers. Her hands slip from my gentle grasp, going straight for my head, holding me to her like her life depends on it. I kiss her back with equal want, running my tongue across her lips, begging her to allow access. She does, but only briefly.
    The heat we create together in these short stolen seconds is so overwhelming that I swear I smell smoke.
    Shit!
    “The cookies!” I yell, prying my lips from Rae’s and jumping into action like a madman.
    I move to the stove to rescue her crispy not-so-master-masterpieces as she rushes to open the back door and windows before the smoke alarms start sounding and send Joey into a panic.
    Joe must hear the commotion because it’s not even a minute later when she comes bounding down the stairs and straight into the kitchen. “What’s happened? Is everything okay? Are we all going to die?” she asks, her eyes wide with fear and curiosity.
    I mentally cringe but don’t stop my movements.
    That’s another side effect of losing someone—children become consumed with the idea of death. They become aware, afraid, intrigued, confused. This technically isn’t Joey’s first encounter with the depressing event, but it is the first one that’s happened since she’s come to an age where she understands what occurs in the world around her. She knew my father when he passed. However, explaining it to her then was easier. She’s had the last several years to come to terms with him never coming back. Tanner’s death is still fresh and has her scared. She’s panicked that those she loves will be ripped from her at any moment. Most of the adults I know may not have liked Tanner, because the dude was a total ass, but I can’t deny the way he was always patient, kind, and loving to my daughter. I respect him for that more than anything.
    “No one is dying, Joey. We’re all fine. I promise,” I reassure her, fanning the cookies with the oven