Sweetest Salvation (15 page)

Yes, Andy realized she had
been a fool all these months. She and Jeanine would have to sit down for a girl
talk very soon.

“Well, I think it’s time we
headed home.” Tony pushed his chair back and stood.

Surprised, Andy looked up at
him.
“Already?”

“Yep, give you two
lovebirds
time alone,” he said.

Andy gasped as she watched
him walk into the house. She stood and followed quickly. She needed to be sure
he was okay with everything.

“Dad,” Andy began as she
walked into the kitchen. “Dad, are you okay?”

Tony stood in front of the
counter, his palms flat and head bent. Andy laid a hand on his back when she
stood beside him. He lifted his head and looked at her.

Andy’s heart sank as tears
shone in his eyes. But he smiled and chuckled. “I’m just fine, child. Don’t
worry about me.”

He wiped his cheeks and took
a deep breath. Andy leaned a hip against the counter, uncertain what to say.
“Dad...”

He turned to face her and put
both hands on her shoulders. “Now, don’t worry. I’m happy for you and my boy
out there.”

“Then why
the sadness?”
Andy asked, hesitant.

“Sadness?”
Tony scoffed. “No, sweetheart, I’m happy for you. You deserve another wonderful
man in your life. I love Hunter as my own.”

“I know you do.”

“I do miss my other boys. But
I’m thrilled for you.” Tony swallowed hard. “Some days are difficult, but I
look forward to seeing how you and Hunter grow together. You’ll have been loved
by two great men.”

Andy smiled, teary-eyed. She
wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. His arms
enfolded her tight.
“Nah, by three wonderful men, Dad.
You’ll always be my favorite.”

Tony laughed loudly as she
hoped he would. The sadness in the air lifted as she joined him and he squeezed
her tight.

“Tony, is everything all
right?” Jeanine asked softly when she walked into the kitchen.

Andy raised her head and
caught Hunter’s concerned gaze from where he stood in the doorway. She smiled
wide to show him that all was okay.

“Of course,
wife.”
Tony kissed the top of Andy’s head,
then
walked toward Jeanine. “Let’s head home. You gals can talk tomorrow.”

Andy followed everyone out
into the foyer. Hunter helped Jeanine with her light jacket, and kissed her
cheek. By blood or not, he was such a dutiful and respectful son to them. And
he knew just how to treat a lady. Andy’s heart swelled with love and pride.

Tony
bussed
Andy’s cheek again, and Andy hugged Jeanine. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Mom.”

Jeanine smiled wide and
nodded. “You better, missy.”

“Drive careful, Dad,” Hunter
ordered.

“Take care, son.” Tony
clutched Hunter’s shoulder.

Andy looked away, tears returning
when the two gave one another a tight hug.

Once she heard the door
close, she turned. Hunter stood with his back to the door and his arms crossed
over his chest.

Andy’s body shivered at the
bold and seductive look in his gorgeous eyes. She could have tears in hers one
moment, and with just a look from him, she was ready to lie down and let him
have his way with her—any way he wanted.

She smiled and walked into
the living room. She sat on the floor, on the lush carpet in front of the
fireplace.

“You know you surprised the
hell out of me tonight, don’t you?” Hunter asked as he came over to the where
she sat and lowered himself behind her, his legs on both sides of her.

He kissed her neck and moaned
low when her body shivered. He knew the exact effect he had on her. Andy could
hide nothing of her body’s response from him.

She leaned her head against
the side of his arm to give him greater access to her. “
Mmm
,
why do you say that?”

Hunter nibbled her earlobe,
then
said, “I wasn’t expecting you to tell them about us. We
hadn’t really decided on it to be tonight.”

Andy shifted and looked at
him. She frowned. “Are you upset? I’m sorry—”

“No, no.” Hunter lightly
kissed her lips.
“Not at all.
I’m relieved.”

She snuggled into his arms
and looked at the fireplace.
“Me too.
We should have
done it sooner.”

“Was Dad really okay?”

Andy smiled, her heart full
at the memory of her father-in-law giving her his blessing, and his love.
“Yes, more than okay.
He really loves you.”

His arms tightened around
her. “I know.”

They sat in silence, both
looking into the fire.

Andy had definitely been
blessed. She had found love twice in her lifetime and would hold on to it with
everything she had. There were always unexpected moments in life, tragedies of
loss and pain, but she would make every moment seem like the last.

She no longer wanted the
tortured pain of rough sex that she once thought she needed. Nor did she
believe she deserved whatever horrible thing might happen to her. To honor
those she loved, she needed to live. Really live. With love, laughter and
everything that was important to her.

Peter and Patrick were
forever in her heart and soul. Nothing would ever replace either of them, but
she had found new love, a life that held so many possibilities.

Hunter saved her.
From herself and the agony.

Her love for him went so
deep; she never wanted to face life without him.

Andy tipped her head back and
met his gaze. Love shone bright in his eyes and warmed her entire body. She
would treasure his love every day.

She laid a hand on his cheek.
Drawing his face down to hers, she captured his lips. Soft and lazy, their lips
moved against one another. Love and desire circled through her.

Andy pulled back and smiled.
“I love you,” she admitted for the first time.

Hunter drew in a deep breath
then grinned. “I love you, too.”

Heart full, Andy couldn’t
believe how happy she was. She looked at the fire, then back at Hunter again.
“When the house is finished, I think you should move in with me.”

Hunter’s eyes widened, then a
huge smile spread across his face. “I think that’s a fantastic idea.”

“Good.” Andy smiled. “I’m
glad you agreed since I’m having an additional office added.”

Hunter chuckled. “Sure of
yourself, weren’t you?”

Andy shook her head and ran a
finger over his lips. “No.
Just sure of us.”

He lowered his head and
captured her mouth once more.

Andy poured every ounce of
love and hunger into the kiss. She savored the taste of the man in her arms,
and the future that awaited them.

The End

www.kaceyhammellkreations.blogspot.com

Other Books by
Kacey
Hammell
:

www.evernightpublishing.com/kacey-hammell

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