Constance fits back in as if she hasn’t left.

She might not ever have met Mum, but Dad adores her, and the rest of the family think she’s great—and she is.

I spent last night working, and this time Constance stayed at Adam’s—not that I’m worried about Ash’s friends—the ones who were in on his scheme have been arrested. It’ll take a while for everything to settle next door, but the fence is already being taken down and most of the people there are staying. For some of them, that life is all they’ve known.

Right now, I’m just anxious to get back to Constance.

I sigh as I pull into Adam’s driveway. Lucky greets me at the gate. I scratch his head as we walk toward the house.

Kicking off my boots, I turn the handle and push the front door. “Hello.”

I grin at the sound of little footsteps running toward me, and I stand still as a statue until I feel a small hand grabbing at my pants. I look down to see my little blonde angel, Rose, looking up at me.

“Oh, hello.”

“Orey.”

“What’s that? Can you say Corey?”

She giggles, and I bend, scooping her into my arms. “Are you my welcome party?” I make my way into the kitchen as Rose snuggles herself into my neck.

“She found you, then.” Lily laughs, holding her arms open for Rose to go into.

Rose abandons me for her mother, and I shake my head as I let go of her. “Traitor.”

I sense her before I see her. Despite all that girly stuff she bought with Lily, Constance still shares my shower gel, and I’d know that scent anywhere.

“We’ll leave you to it. See you in the living room,” Lily says.

Constance wraps her arms around my waist and takes a deep breath against my chest.

“Hey, beautiful. Did you miss me?”

She raises her face, and I find myself lost in her for a moment.

“I’m so glad you’re back. I’ve enjoyed being here, but I just want to be at home with you.”

“Feeling’s mutual.” I bend, sweeping my tongue across her lips before kissing her. She lets out a whimper when I deepen the kiss. I want to take her home and bury myself inside her for a week. “I’ll go say hello, and then we can get out of here.”

“I’m not sure it’s going to be that easy.” She laughs. Taking my hand in hers, she leads me into the living room where we sit on the couch.

“We made Constance a Facebook account,” Max announces this proudly, his chest all puffed out.

“Did you now?”

Constance laughs. “Max insisted. Now I’m Facebook friends with most of the family.”

“Bud, we can’t get internet at home. When’s she going to use it?” I poke my tongue at him.

“Ash had internet,” Constance says.

“Yeah, he probably paid a fortune for satellite. It’s possible, but it’s pricey.” I drape my arm over her shoulders and plant a kiss on the top of her head. “I don’t know if it’s in my price range, sweetness. Even mobile data is patchy, and not cheap.”

“It’s okay. I can just look at it when I come to visit these guys.” She turns her face up and kisses my cheek. “You are so growing that beard back once the wedding is done. This stubble isn’t enough.”

“Agreed.” Lily laughs, and I roll my eyes at her.

“You two ganging up on me.”

“Of course.” Lily walks toward us. “Do you two want to stay for dinner?”

“We could do. If you have enough to feed us,” I say.

“Adam got a lamb roast big enough to feed half of Copper Creek for fixing a tractor. I think we can cope.” She laughs. “Besides, I’ve got some baby clothes you two can have if you want to go through them. I should have got them out last night, but I only just thought about it.”

Constance reaches for one of my hands and squeezes it. “Thank you, Lily.”

“Aren’t you guys going to have more?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Maybe another one. I think we both just want to get through this wedding in one piece.”

I nod. “That’s fair enough. Maybe if we borrow the baby stuff, we’ll be giving it back to you next year.”

Lily laughs. “We’ll see.”

Constance leans against me, and I bury my face in her hair.

As much as I love my family, I can’t wait to be alone with her.

As amazing as dinner was, getting home with Constance is even better. I’m looking forward to sinking into a warm soft bed with her in it.

“Corey,” Constance calls from the bathroom, and when I get there, what I see makes me catch my breath.

She’s so far from that modestly dressed woman who arrived on my doorstep. Standing naked, she turns side on to the mirror and runs her hand over her stomach.

“What are you doing?” I laugh.

“Is there a bump? Do you see a bump?”

“What I see is my naked girlfriend who I’ve been away from for a full twenty-four hours. I can’t see anything else because the blood is nowhere near my brain right now.”

She grins, sauntering toward me and taking my hand. I chuckle as I run my hand over her stomach.

“There’s a small bump. Are you happy now?”

She nods.

“And now we’re going to bed because I am not standing here watching you touch yourself without having some of the fun for myself.”

Constance wraps her arms around my neck, pressing her naked body against me.

“That’s not helping.” I chuckle, bending to reach her mouth.

“I missed you,” she murmurs.

“I missed you, too. Is this what every reunion’s going to be like? You prancing around naked?”

“Are you complaining?”

I shake my head. “Never.”

I slide my hands down her sides, and she jumps. I catch her as she wraps her legs around my waist.

“Let’s go to bed,” she says.

“You’re so naughty, Ms Shaw.”

“I was lonely last night.”

I laugh. “Shall we go and fix that, then?”

“Yes, please.”

I place her gently on the mattress, and strip off my clothes. What I need is a shower, but I need her more. Always her.

When I climb into bed, she straddles my hips, rubbing herself against me.

“Hey. Don’t I get to play first?”

“You can play later. I know what I want.” She lifts up a little before lowering herself onto my erect cock.

“Someone’s already wet.”

Constance leans over. “Someone’s been missing you.”

She surrounds me, and it takes me back to that first night we were together—the first night she was mine. I can’t pretend it means nothing to know I’m the only man who’s ever been inside her. She was mine from the start, and she always will be.

“I love you,” I whisper.

Constance leans over, her mouth closing in on mine. I have no idea what I’m going to do when I have to camp out for multiple nights. My need for her will be off the charts.

“Did I tell you how much I missed you?” she mumbles against my mouth.

“I’m pretty sure you can feel how much I missed you.”

She grins as she pushes herself up. I suck in a breath when she rocks her hips.

Constance raises a finger to her lips and gives me a thoughtful look. “I think so. I might have to try that again to check.”

“I didn’t come home so you could torture me.” I laugh.

She shivers as I run my hands up her back, and her hips rock against me again. “I’m just making the most of it.”

“God, you drive me crazy, lady.”

She laughs. “As long as you always come home to me.”

“Always.” I twist my lips into a sly smile. “As long as I always get a welcome home like this.”

Constance looks at me with so much love, it takes my breath away. “Always.”