I jerk my head up, surprised he’d even suggest otherwise. “Of course, I want you around. I’ve been worried this entire time that you didn’t want me anymore. That you decided you were wrong and didn’t love me.”
“No, not at all. I love you very much, Cami.” He brushes his lips across mine and it's the best thing I’ve felt in days. “I’ve been such a fool. I didn’t get your text message until I was in Chicago. I didn’t respond because I was afraid you were going to tell me this was over. When I returned, you were gone, and I couldn’t fix this. All I’ve wanted to do since Friday is fix this.”
“You were in Chicago?”
“Yeah. For that mountain resort project. It’s mine.”
I smile and cup his cheeks before I press my lips to his. It's a hard and fast kiss, but enough to let him know I mean what I’m about to say. “That’s wonderful, and I’m so proud of you. I love you, Adam. I should have told you last week when you said it to me, but I was scared. I never want to be scared like that again. You’ve opened my heart in a way I never thought it could again. I will always love you for that.”
His gaze turns feral as he slides his hand around my neck and claims my lips. His mouth is all-consuming as his tongue sweeps across my own, deepening the kiss. Every bit of doubt and worry I struggled with all week is gone. There’s only us, and the love we share.
He slowly backs me up against the wall and rolls his hips. His erection presses against my lower stomach, making me moan.
“I’m gonna make love to you again and again until I prove to you just how much I love you. When I’m done, you’ll never doubt my love for you.”
“Yes. Please.” I barely get the words out before his mouth is on mine again. There’s a possessiveness to the way he’s kissing me, and I love it. I crave being owned by him. I need it. I want it.
He releases my lips and slowly kisses along my jawline and down my neck. His beard is rough against my skin, and it sends waves of excitement through my body.
He sucks my earlobe into his mouth and lightly nibbles on it. “You’re mine, Cami. Please say you’re mine. I need to hear you say it.”
“I’m yours, and you’re mine. Promise me we’ll never walk away mad or upset at each other again.”
He steps back from me, and I immediately miss the warmth of his body. He holds his eyes on mine as he lifts my shirt off over my head. “I promise,” he says right before he takes my mouth again.
He unclasps my bra, sliding the straps down my arms revealing my chest to him. His mouth is on my breasts, sucking and nipping at me until I feel like I’m going to explode with pleasure. His hands and mouth are everywhere, worshiping my body.
He undoes the button on my slacks and pulls them down with my panties. Once I’m completely naked, he steps back and admires me with a grin. He doesn’t take his eyes off mine as he undresses himself. His hard body makes me ache even more for him. And when he takes me into his arms and lifts me onto him, I cry out.
With my back pressed against the wall, he fills me completely. He stills, giving us both a chance to adjust to his presence inside me. When he starts to move, it's intense and hard and slow. I wrap my legs around him, digging my heels into his lower back. He increases his speed, and my body reacts quickly. He’s so hard and he fills me so completely that I can’t help but lose control. I explode around him, my orgasm hitting me fast. That only makes him move faster and harder into me, dragging out my release.
I feel him get harder as I come around him—my body further feeding his excitement—but he doesn’t come with me. He holds me tight against him and carries me into the bedroom. When he lays me on the bed, he resumes his thrusting into me.
He makes good on his promise. He makes love to me half the night, only breaking once to get us both something to drink. He dragged four orgasms out of me to his two. We fell asleep naked and tangled together when we were both too spent to continue.
I finally found my new place in this world—safely tucked into Adam's arms.
EPILOGUE
ADAM
Two Months Later
Ipay for our corndogs and fresh cut fries and head to the picnic table where Camille is waiting with my family. This is the third festival she’s dragged me to this summer. I don’t normally go to them—they’re not my thing—but she never experienced one until this summer.
Leann attends every one of them, and sometimes helps her friend Jill out with her art booth. From Memorial Day through mid-September, there’s a festival every weekend in Watercress falls. They’re mostly held for the tourists to provide activities while they vacation and to draw in more revenue for the town. They’re a huge boost for small businesses and showcase local artists.
I’ve loved seeing Camille bond with my sister over something they both enjoy. I suspect Camille would attend more of these festivals if I liked them. Regardless, I’ve let her drag me here every time she’s asked to go. She loves them, and they make her smile.
I'll do anything to put that smile on her face.
I set her corndog in front of her before I slide in next to her on the bench. She smiles and kisses my cheek. “What do you want to drink? I’ll get us something.”
“No need.” She slips her arm through mine and leans into me. I love these little shows of affection and kiss the top of her head. “Joe ran to get some lemonade. I asked him to get you the raspberry one. I hope that’s okay.”
“Sounds perfect. Thanks.” I smile and take a bite of my corndog. The last couple months with Camille have been great, and I suspect things will only get better. There have been a few moments when her past crept in and her emotions got the best of her, but not in a way that puts a strain on our relationship. If anything, I’d say it’s made us stronger.
We lean on each other for support and trust that we’ll always be here to catch each other when we fall.
