Rapture and Lace(5)

"Welcome home." Carter squeezed his hand in mine and watched me thoughtfully for my reaction. The driver set our few bags just inside the door; Carter nodded to him in thanks and we stepped inside.

The entryway, which opened into the living room, was an expansive space with a warm, mountain feel. Grey slate floors spread throughout the house, and the river rock walls and dark wooden beams carried in from the rustic outside décor.

"Do you want anything? Something to drink? Or eat?" Carter had yet to let go of my hand. I shook my head and yawned. He chuckled again.

"Let's get you to bed, my beautiful girl." He grabbed our few bags in one hand and then pulled me up the sweeping staircase. We paused at the open landing that looked out over the entryway and great room, with hallways to either side leading to bedrooms.

He guided me to a room at the end of a long hallway and, opening the door, we stepped into the master suite. It had a stone accent wall with a built-in fireplace, while the rest of the walls were a neutral cream color. The slate floors from the downstairs continued on the second floor, but a plush cream-colored rug stretched across most of this room. A large king bed, with a thick white duvet and mountains of pillows, faced French doors that opened onto a terrace. I had no doubt there was a killer view out there.

"Bathroom." Carter gestured with one hand. "Closet." He angled his head behind us to indicate the generous walk-in. I squeezed his hand affectionately and then hopped onto the bed and snuggled into the fetal position. I couldn’t even be bothered to undress; I wanted only to sleep for days.

Carter set our bags down by the closet door then came to me.

"Here." He sat me up on the bed and pulled my sweatshirt over my head gently. He kissed me on the nose once he'd gotten it off. His fingers got to work on the button of my jeans and then the zipper. Despite how exhausted I was, Carter still had the ability to make my heart flutter. I traced my fingertips up his forearm. I held onto him as he pushed the denim down my hips. He sat me back on the bed, then kneeled in front of me, untying and slipping off my shoes and sliding the jeans off of my legs. He slid his hands slowly back up my legs and thighs until they stopped at my hips, giving me a soft squeeze. He pressed a soft kiss on my belly above my panties and then hugged me for a minute.

My body was begging for his touch, especially since I'd been left hanging on the flight, but after his chivalrous promise of abstinence until we were married, I knew it was a lost cause. He stood and pulled the duvet back on the bed and moved a few pillows aside. I crawled up to the head of the bed and dug in, taking a deep breath of the fresh, soft cotton. I snuggled and curled my body into itself. Carter rubbed his hand down my spine and I wondered how he could touch me so sensually without taking it further. My body was humming with arousal from his soft and gentle touch.

"I’ll be in in a few minutes." He gave my hip a soft squeeze. I nodded. Carter walked to the bathroom with one of our bags and I heard the shower start. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep instantly.

A short while later I felt the bed shift and Carter cuddled into my body. I could smell his fresh soap scent and I curled my head into the nook at his shoulder. His hair was wet against the pillow, and I ran my hand down his damp body, from his chest, to his abs, and over the waistband of his pajama bottoms. A small part of me that was just barely awake registered a slice of disappointment that he was dressed. I tucked into him tighter as his arm wrapped around my shoulders. He pressed a quick kiss to my head.

"I love you," he whispered.

"Mmm," I acknowledged him before drifting off again.





Chapter Three





"Up and at 'em, sleepyhead." Carter kissed me on the forehead. I groaned in protest.

"We've got a lot to do today. We're getting married tomorrow."

I shot straight up in bed. Carter's eyes widened for a moment before the corners of his mouth ticked up in a smile. He pressed a hot mug of coffee into my hands. I held the warmth between my palms and inhaled the rich aroma. It helped perk me up, and then instantly I handed the coffee back to him. His eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Bathroom," I squeaked and jumped out of bed. I heard a throaty laugh behind me.

I tossed the bathroom door closed behind me and searched for the toilet. My eyes shifted over the room once, twice, back a third time. How on earth could I not find the toilet in a bathroom?

The room was a huge, open space, with a large Jacuzzi sitting in the center. Vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a view of the mountains beyond. A large glass-tiled corner shower was off to the side of the windows, and a vanity stretched the length of one wall.