Liz’s mouth dropped open in shock. Had he . . . had he just told her that he loved her?

He laughed softly and then kissed her button nose. “Happy Valentine’s Day, baby.”

Chapter 27

OATMEAL

Liz woke up the next morning to feel Brady’s strong arms wrapped around her waist and her face buried in his shoulder. The soft comforter covered their still-naked bodies as light streamed into the bedroom from the upstairs window. In that moment, Liz just let herself feel all the joy and happiness that came with where she was and what she was doing.

Brady Maxwell. She was in bed with Brady Maxwell.

And in the early-morning sunshine, half-delirious from lack of sleep, aching in all the right places from last night, she felt as if she was exactly where she needed to be. She knew that they’d had a rough time getting there, and she was sure that the road ahead wasn’t going to be easy. But at least right here and right now, she could let the rest of the world fall away, pretend that they didn’t have Hayden’s article to face or a public ravenous for a scandal, and just be here with Brady.

She nuzzled into him and left a soft kiss on his neck. “Mmm,” Brady murmured as he came to.

“Morning,” she whispered.

He tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her closer to him. “I had the most amazing dream last night.”

“Oh yeah? Was I in it?” Liz asked, tangling their legs together under the covers.

“You were. I dreamed I brought you to my lake house and had sex with you all morning,” he whispered into her ear.

“Hate to break it to you, but that wasn’t a dream.”

“I know,” he said, nipping at her ear. “I think I have another dream coming on.”

“Am I in that one?”

“It’s me f**king you all afternoon too.”

“Oh,” she whispered. “I feel like I’m having that same dream.”

He chuckled softly and then rolled her on top of him. Liz leaned her br**sts against his chest and braced her hands on his shoulders. His hand slid between them, parting her lips and touching her teasingly.

“No begging this time,” she groaned, evading his playful fingers and pressing herself against his erection.

“The begging is my favorite part.” He found her lips and kissed them softly.

Liz smiled and broke their kiss before slowly lowering herself onto him. “The begging or the whimpering? Or was it when you came?”

Brady grabbed her hips and forced her all the way down onto him. Liz gasped at the unexpected movement. “It’s when you come.”

Liz couldn’t argue with that assessment. Every time he made her come, he quickly followed, until both were spent and unable to move. Their bodies were perfectly in tune as if there had never been a pause in their sex life.

Even though she was on top, she let Brady set the pace. His hands guided her body up and down on top of him. Their hips met at a perfect angle. Her br**sts bounced with the movement, and all they did was stare back at each other. She had missed this. Missed him. The emotions trapped between her and Brady intensified every touch, taste, feel as they reexperienced everything they had missed in the past year and a half.

Climax crashed over her in waves almost without warning, and Liz dropped over onto his chest again. Brady kept thrusting into her as she rode out her orgasm. She felt him grasp her hips forcefully at the last thrust and his eyes closed as he came.

“This is the best way to wake up,” she murmured softly.

“With you.”

“Mmm, with you.”

Brady kissed her temple and ran his hands up and down her back. “How about you hop in the shower?”

“Join me?” she asked, already almost falling back asleep from his hands on her.

He laughed lightly. “We both know how that will end.”

“So, yes?”

“You shower. I’m going to see if we have anything to eat. Didn’t think that one through.”

“Who are you and what have you done with Brady Maxwell?” she muttered.

“Cut a guy some slack. I wasn’t expecting to spend the weekend at the lake,” he said with a kiss on her cheek as he rolled to the other side of the bed.

“I’m glad you did.”

Brady kicked his feet over the bed and stood in the buff. “Me too.”

Good Lord! The man was the definition of sexy. Muscular arms, broad shoulders, washboard abs. It really wasn’t fair to the rest of the world, but she didn’t mind the view one bit.

He found a pair of black boxer briefs, basketball shorts, and a long-sleeve T-shirt from the closet and reappeared covering everything she had been assessing.

“I’m turning the water on,” Brady said, walking into the bathroom.

“Okay. Okay.” Liz hopped out of bed and followed him.

Brady placed a towel on the counter for her and turned the water on full steam. She grabbed his T-shirt and pulled him in for a kiss before he could leave. “You should stay,” she murmured.

“You’re going to need food.”

“Yes,” she said, touching him through his shorts. “I am.”

“I’d bet you’re a little sore. I wasn’t gentle,” he said. “And I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t . . .”

“Liz, shower.” He opened the glass door to the massive walk-in shower and slapped her ass to get her moving.

“Fine. Don’t say I never asked,” she said, scurrying forward.

“Next time I want you to beg me, I’ll let you know.” He shook his head and shut the shower door.

Liz laughed as he walked out of the bathroom. She stepped into the hot spray, letting the water run down her body. Truth be told, she was sore. Very sore. To say he hadn’t been gentle was probably the understatement of the year. He had been as rough as she had asked him to be and then some, but she wouldn’t take it back. Not for a second.

She showered quickly and then changed into one of Brady’s UNC T-shirts and some baggy sweats she found in the closet. It wasn’t the sexiest outfit, but it wasn’t as if he had cared what she was wearing last night. She took the stairs down into the living room and saw that Brady had started another fire. She turned to walk into the kitchen when she caught a glimpse of the lake through the sliding glass doors.

The lake was pristine and snow fell softly onto its smooth surface. It was a light snow. Nothing that was likely going to stick, but it was beautiful nonetheless.