Page 97 of Deserving Cora
She shifted under him, and Pipe grimaced when he slowly pulled out of her. The last thing he wanted was to leave her body, but he didn’t want her on her knees, putting pressure on her arm or tailbone any longer than necessary.
Before he let her fall to her side, he held her still. Watching as his come leaked out of her folds. It was more erotic than anything he’d ever seen, and Pipe felt his cock twitch. Bloody hell, he’d just come and he wanted her again.
Taking one last look at the gift of her tattoo, he gently lowered her to her side, then immediately followed, taking her into his arms.
Cora sighed against his chest. “I guess you liked my surprise.”
Pipe huffed out an amused breath. “You think?” he asked.
She chuckled and kissed his chest.
His breath hitched. Yeah, he definitely didn’t deserve this woman.
“I love you,” she said softly.
“I love you too,” he returned.
They lay there for a few minutes, before Cora lifted her head so she could see his face. “Pipe?”
“Yeah, love?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Everything. Loving me, believing me. Not being a douche. All of it.”
Pipe smiled. “You’re welcome.”
She sighed again and lowered her head back onto his chest. Several minutes went by, and just when Pipe moved his hand down her side to touch her, to start round two, Cora let out a small snore.
Smiling wider, Pipe sighed. His plans for a marathon night of sex would have to wait. His Cora was exhausted. She’d been helping Alaska and the others prepare for tonight’s celebration and visiting with Lara every chance she could. Pipe had a feeling she’d work herself sick trying to help others. She had nothing to prove, the others already loved her. She was truly a part of The Refuge. She’d learn that with time. Until then, he’d watch over her and make sure she rested when she needed to.
Pipe pulled the blanket up higher around them and closed his eyes as he held the most precious and amazing woman in his arms. Life was full of twists and turns, and while he hadn’t understood why he’d had to endure the things he had in the past, he got it now. He needed those experiences to be the man his woman deserved. Without his past, he wouldn’t be who he was today.
Turning his head, he kissed Cora’s temple, smiling when she mumbled under her breath and burrowed into him. Being the man Cora deserved was his lifelong goal. One he took just as seriously as his military oath.
“I can hear you thinking way too hard,” she complained with a mumble. “Stop it. Rest, Pipe.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with another smile.
* * *
Lara huddled in the corner of Owl’s couch and stared blankly at the television. She felt hollow. Numb. Earlier, she’d watched Cora’s FaceTime call with Owl, also without feeling much of anything…beyond a touch of guilt that she was keeping Owl from celebrating with his friends.
She wanted to shake herself out of the weird headspace she was in, but couldn’t figure out how.
She was letting everyone down, yet she couldn’t seem to care.
Her parents had come to visit her in the hospital in Phoenix, and even though they’d said all the right things, Lara knew they were relieved when it was decided she would go to The Refuge with Cora. They called Owl to check in, but Lara hadn’t spoken to them since arriving in New Mexico.
The detectives had pushed her to tell them what had happened in that house. Lara couldn’t. She’d told them the basics. That yes, she’d gone to Arizona of her own free will, and once there, she’d quickly changed her mind. But Ridge had taken her phone. She’d been kept in the basement almost from the beginning, only dragged out occasionally for appearance’s sake. But always drugged…and then that man, the one she knew as Carter Grant, had hurt her.
But she didn’t elaborate. Couldn’t. What she’d been through was embarrassing and horrifying and unbearable. And speaking of it would only make the memories more real.
She was ashamed that all too soon, every time he’d shown up with pills in his hand, she’d taken them willingly. Gladly. She’d needed them. Needed to enter that floaty world where she barely knew what was happening, and it didn’t hurt when Carter touched her.
Now that she was free of that house, she should be fine. Relieved. Should be getting on with her life. But how could she, knowing that Carter was still out there?
