Instead of helping, my words seem to make her tears flow faster. I wrap my arms around her and hold her close, wishing I knew the right words to say. There must be something I can do so she understands that when it comes to me, she always has a choice.
“I’m going to stay. Tomorrow, I’m calling the Carruthersville Public Library and telling them I don’t want the job. And I’m returning the keys to my apartment.”
Her words are muffled as she speaks against my chest. It takes a moment for them to sink in. She’s staying. My shoulders sag with relief, and I hold her even closer. I can’t believe she’sstaying. When she loosens her grip, I pull away to meet her gaze.
“You’re staying because it’s what you want?”
“Yes,” she says, nodding emphatically. “I love you. This is where I belong.”
My body heats at the sound of those three words on her lips. She loves me. I hadn’t realized how desperate I had been to hear her say it. I’ve loved her for longer than I should admit, and relief courses through me knowing I’m not alone in the way I feel.
“This is where you belong. I don’t want to hide. I spent too many years trying to deny my feelings, and I’m done doing that.”
A small smile tugs at her lips, and gone is the tearful, worried expression she’d been wearing since she got here. “You aren’t upset with me? I’m so sorry I treated your feelings like they were nothing.”
I stroke her cheek with the back of my fingers. “Sweetheart, stop apologizing to me. Never worry about putting yourself first.”
Before she can say another word about it, I kiss her lips. As her mouth works against mine, my groan is partly relief, and partly need. It feels like an eternity since I’ve had her alone like this, without the idea of her leaving looming over us.
“Stay the night.” My lips brush against hers as I speak.
She stiffens against me, and her eyes meet mine when she pulls away. “What about Sierra?”
I kiss along the column of her neck, letting my tongue tease the sensitive space beneath her ear. “She’s gone for the night. She asked to stay over with your mom.”
A surprised laugh escapes Miranda, and once again, I pull away to look at her, my brow raised in suspicion. She rolls her lips in and tries to hide a smile, but I can see right through her. Instead of asking, I pin her with my gaze and wait.
“She’s just funny, that’s all. Still trying to play matchmaker.”
As much as I want to know what has her laughing, and more importantly, how Sierra could have known Miranda was coming here, I leave it alone and glide my mouth along her neck, nipping and sucking as I pull her to her feet.
“I’ve missed you,” I say against her neck as I back her toward my bedroom.
I have missed her. Ever since our first night together, it’s felt like a piece of me is missing when we aren’t together. The rapid thrumming of her pulse against my lips causes my blood to heat. Blindly reaching for the hem of her shirt, I tug it, only breaking the kiss long enough to pull it over her head and toss it to the floor.
Her fingers do the same to mine, and instead of reaching for her jeans, I reach for the button of mine, quickly undoing them before sliding the zipper down. Miranda does the same,and by the time we reach my bedroom, there’s a trail of clothes in the hallway behind us.
“So beautiful,” I murmur when I finally have her backed up against the side of my bed.
Her breathing is heavy as she stands before me, wearing nothing but a simple white bra and panty set. Something about having our feelings out in the open makes me even more desperate for her. I need her more than I’ve ever needed anything in my life.
“Take those off.”
I don’t wait for her to comply before I slide my briefs down, allowing my throbbing cock to spring free. Her eyes dart to my erection, and I hum in satisfaction when she takes in a sharp breath and licks her lips. My mind goes to the night after the wedding when she had her mouth on me. Hell, I’ve barely stopped thinking about it. But that’s not what I want tonight.
Chapter 44
Hayden
Miranda’s body is so soft and willing beneath me; I don’t want this moment to end. I can’t come up with the words to properly explain the depth of my feelings, or the immense relief I felt the moment she showed up here. All I know how to do is show her.
I take a moment to appreciate how beautiful she looks, naked and in my bed. Her light waves are fanned out on my pillow, and her hazel eyes are on me. Taking my time won’t be easy when I can’t wait to feel the way her pussy grips me. Her center is already glistening with her arousal, and I haven’t really touched her yet.
“You’re perfect.” My voice is low as I continue to wrestle with my restraint. “I can’t wait to taste you.”
She lets out a whimper, and I lower myself as I gently spread her thighs. My tongue grazes the back of her knee, and she whimpers again, the sound turning into a moan when I beginkissing my way up the inside of her thighs, alternating between slow licks and gentle nips.
I lick the crease above her thigh and just below her pussy and then stop. The room is silent aside from her harsh panting, and her eyes are closed as she grips the sheets on either side of her.
