“Oh God,” I gasp, fingers curling into the sheets as he licks me, sucks my clit with just enough pressure to drive me wild. His tongue thrusts inside me and I tremble, hips bucking uncontrollably. I ride his mouth, moaning his name, then—oh, God—the orgasm tears through me like wildfire, ripping a scream from my throat as I shake beneath him.
But Nate isn’t done.
He strokes his cock along my folds, teasing me again, rubbing against my swollen clit until I’m begging, trembling with anticipation.
“Nate…” I gasp.
With one slow, powerful thrust, he fills me. The stretch, the heat—it’s everything. He moves slowly at first, then faster, deeper, as if he’s trying to etch himself into my very soul. He pulls me up into his lap, his hands gripping my hips, guiding every thrust as I ride him.
Our bodies move in sync, skin against skin, pleasure building until I feel myself spiraling out of control. I explode around him with a cry, my whole body splintering into stars.
It doesn’t take long before he follows, slamming into me with one final thrust, spilling deep inside with a guttural growl.
Our bodies collapse into each other, trembling, spent, skin slick with sweat and kisses.
“I love you, Izzy,” Nate breathes, his forehead pressed to mine, his voice ragged. “Always have, baby.”
I cup his cheek, brushing my thumb over his lips. “I love you, too,” I finally whisper, the words full of truth, raw and terrifying and beautiful.
And in that moment, despite the ticking clock and the looming goodbye—we are infinite.
Chapter 20
Nate
Holding my wife in my arms is the best damn thing in this world.
The weight of her body pressed against mine, the warmth of her skin, the steady rhythm of her breath—this is what peace feels like. This is home.
And I know I’m going to miss this with every fiber of my soul.
But I also know that when I come back—when this deployment is over—she’ll be here. Waiting for me. Loving me. Just like she always has.
I close my eyes, imagining her swollen with our child, laughing as little feet run around our house. I want that. I crave that. A whole army of messy, loud, beautiful kids that all look like her. A home full of love and chaos and second chances. Ours.
Beneath my fingertips, I feel her drawing lazy circles over my chest. But something in her touch feels... distant. Lost.
I press a kiss to her forehead. “What are you thinking about?” I murmur against her skin.
She blinks, like she’s been caught somewhere far away. Then she sighs, long and quiet. “Can I be honest?”
I wrap a lock of her hair around my finger, rolling it slowly, not rushing her. “Always, love.”
Her voice is so soft it nearly breaks me. “I'm not ready for tomorrow… I’ll miss you like crazy.”
God. That ache, sharp and cruel, lodges right under my ribs.
“Me either,” I whisper, pulling her closer like I can shield her from the ticking clock that’s about to steal me away. “I’ll miss you too, baby. But the time will fly by, I promise. I’ll be back before you know it.”
She tilts her head, locking those big, searching eyes on me. I know that look. “Be careful, wherever you go. Stay safe. Text me when you can, even if it’s just an email saying you’re okay.”
I stroke her cheek with the back of my knuckles, memorizing the shape of her. “I will, baby. But listen… if you don’t hear from me for a few days or even weeks, don’t panic, okay? Sometimes we can’t carry our devices with us. It’s just protocol.”
Her gaze flicks away, and she tightens her arms around my chest like she can hold me in place, keep me from leaving.
“I’ll always worry, Nate. From the second you walk out that door until the moment you come back.”
“Love…” I pull her up, sitting on the edge of the bed with her between my legs. I need her to understand. I need her to hear me.
