“No,” I immediately breathe out. “Please don’t stop. But …” My eyes lower in embarrassment. “I’m not …” Is he still going tothink I’m this beautiful when he sees all of me? “I’ve had three kids, Will, and I?—”
“Is that what you’re worried about?” He gives me his corner smile and strokes my cheek. “What if I told you that I touch myself in your shower every night I’m here when you’ve gone to sleep, trying to imagine just how good it will feel to touch all of you? How beautiful you must be everywhere?” His words send shockwaves to my core. “If you’re not ready, I won’t press you further. But trust me when I say, there is nothing below this fabric that won’t blow my mind.”
For a moment, I’m breathless. But he pulls a gasp out of me when he kisses the valley between my breasts. I sigh at the softness of his lips. “Let me show you, Sophie. Please.”
I look down at him, feeling my entire body humming. I swallow and nod.
“I need to hear the words, Sophie.” His voice is unsteady.
“Yes. Show me.”
I hold my breath as his hands untie the belt of my robe, then slowly part the fabric to reveal what’s underneath. The cool air of the room hits my belly, forcing a sharp inhale out of me.
Underneath the robe, I’m wearing nothing but my silky, seamless underwear. Will lifts himself up to take a good look at me. I clench my jaw in anticipation. His mouth is agape, and one hand strokes over the angry red marks that nearly cover my belly in its entirety. I shudder at his gentle touch.
“Just beautiful,” Will whispers, right before bringing his lips down to my stomach. One by one, he kisses my stretch marks, and I close my eyes to lean my head back; it’s too much. I’m overcome by a tidal wave, and as Will worships my body, a tear escapes my eye.
Matt never touched my stretch marks. He never made any comments about them, either, but he purposefully avoided themlike the plague. And for the last several years, I was certain I would never feel this beautiful again.
This loved.
“You’re a force of nature,” Will groans, his face pressed against the soft, scarred skin. He’s said this so many times that I’m beginning to believe it. I weave my hands into his hair and open my eyes again. “These scars are a reminder of that. Don’t ever forget it.” His eyes trail up to mine. “Thank you for allowing me the privilege of seeing you.”
The pressure within me is too much. I need him to touch more of me. “You haven’t seen all of me.”
He emits a soft groan, then brushes his hand at the edge of the fabric below my waist. A thousand prickles traverse my body. “I know.” My breath hitches as he slips his fingers underneath the waistband.
As much as I want him to continue, I need to fix this inequality between us. I grab his wrist to stop his motion, my gesture urgent. “Wait. I get to see you, too.”
His lips twist into his usual teasing smile. “Only if you ask nicely.”
I groan. “Please, Will.” My fingers trail to the hem of his shirt. “Let me take this off.” He obliges, and I frantically pull the shirt away from his chest, revealing the smooth muscle underneath.
It’s not my first time seeing Will without a shirt. Far from it. So I knew what to expect. But combined with everything else I’m feeling in this moment, seeing him like this is electrifying.
He’s a God damn piece of art.
“Now, may I touch you?” His eyes are nearly begging.
A fragment of a memory flashes through my mind. As much as my body is screaming for me to say yes, I can’t help what I say next.
“Not yet.” I struggle to keep my breathing steady, but I shoot him a coy smile regardless. “On your knees.”
He made me beg for his help once. Now it’s time for payback.
But the urgency of the need burning deep within me almost makes it feel like payback on myself.
Will’s eyelids get heavy, his gaze focused on the only piece of fabric separating him from seeing all of me. “Yes, ma’am.” He kneels at the foot of the bed, keeping both hands just inches away from my skin.
“Beg for it,” I say.
“Please, Sophie.” His gravelly voice echoes through all my limbs.
“Please, what?”
“Please let me touch you. Let me make you feel good.”
I nearly give in at his words. Instead, I wait, locking eyes with his, enjoying the torturous tension, until I simply can’t bear him not touching me for a second longer.
