“The longer term future.The irreversible kind that if I don’t ask we could end up tied to each other for the next eighteen-odd years.”He kissed her again when he read her confusion.“Do I need protection?”
It was juvenile to get excited.The bubbles of anticipation in her belly floated and bounced, it had to show in her eyes.Her thrill didn’t trump his conviction.
“You need to be ready.”
“Candy, there’s no one but you.We’ll never be more ready.”
Another zip of a thrill, only this one was mature and prepared.
“Then no,” she said suddenly awed.“We’re the last person either of us will be with.Don’t ask me why or how, but I’m sure of it.I’m yours, Unicorn.All yours.”
During the next gift of his kiss, he shed his jeans.God, skin on skin felt good.Too good.Warm and luxurious, the temptation had become an appetite that could be sated.Finally.
Scooping a hand around his jaw, she eased their mouths apart.“You haven’t—this should be special.If you want to wait—”
“It’s special,” he said.“Every moment I spend with you is special.”
Bingo, what a line.
His sweet kiss was so sure.When his tongue brushed hers again it came with certainty.Acknowledging his values was important, but so was respecting his choice.
He’d chosen her, chosen this.He could feast on her body, explore, relish, enjoy any part of her he liked.And as he slid into her, the slow close of his eyes clenched her gut.That was his bliss.He’d found it.At the same time she basked in hers.What were the chances of that?
THIRTY
“WHAT A BEAUTIFUL day to make new friends!”Roxie declared to the camera pointing their way.
It was her and Roxie alone, in a room of lights and gadgets.Others set everything up then skittered away.If anything went wrong, she’d never be able to fix it.She wasn’t even sure what some of it did.Was Roxie versed in—she distracted herself with nonsense as Roxie did her intro with plenty of pauses to give people a chance to log on.Questions and comments fired through the chat window, everybody wanted more, more, more.
Q:Is Zairn watching?
“Is Zairn watching?”Roxie repeated the question.“I have no idea.Probably.He’s pretty infatuated with me and I know he gets alerts every time I log on with you guys.”
Q:What’s the tea with Kesley?Is she stealing Zairn?
“Kesley Walsh is a beautiful, incredible actress and a wonderful human being.No one’s stealing anything.We’re all great friends.Everyone gets along, there’s really no intrigue.”Roxie leaned closer to her to stage whisper, the others would hear regardless of her volume.“Even when I tell them the truth, they don’t believe me.”
Q:Anjelica says Kesley is a vamp.
“As women, we have to rise up and support each other.Name calling helps no one.Each one of us is a human being, we’re the same while also being utterly unique.Kind of cool, right?”
Q: Is that Ariella with you?The kidnapped student?Wasn’t she dead?
“My stunning, Ariella!”Roxie declared, putting an arm around her.“No, she wasn’t abducted, and no she definitely isn’t dead.”
After the initial shock of Roxie’s pinch, Ariella laughed.“No, I’m definitely not dead.”
“There’s been a lot said about Ariella in the press.My Delights know how important my girls are and how protective I can be.It’s never easy for me to bite my tongue when people start badmouthing those I love.So…” Dropping her arm, Roxie linked their hands and held them up.“I want all of you to formally meet Ariella, so you can fall in love with her.I have.There’s no stealing her from me.”
And in the awkward moment of being presented to the world, she had to find confidence in light of the revelations.Yes, these people knew things about her that may, or may not, be true.This was her chance—maybe her one chance—of getting it right.
“Hello,” she said, widening her smile.“It’s a real honor to be here with you today.”
God, was this cheesy?Did she come across like an idiot?Stop second-guessing.Relax.Have fun.That was Roxie’s advice.
“Ariella has been hanging out at Crimson for a while.”Uh, twice.“She’s a real rock chick, with great taste in music.”
“She says being the greatest rock chick of a generation.”
