Maggie lines me up at her entrance and slowly sinks down my cock. I groan and pant and moan with each torturous inch, holding her tight against me. Then she starts moving, lifting herself up and slamming back down until I’m buried deep inside her. She tortures me like this for too long, until I snap, switching our positions so I’m on top. I lick and bite down on her nipples while my fingers find her clit, rubbing in tight circles just how she likes it. Once she’s writhing and moaning under me, I flip her over on her stomachand she gasps.
“Ass up,” I command and she eagerly follows.
“Fuck,” she groans into the pillow as I sink my cock inside her. My thumbs dig into the dimples at her back and I pick up the pace, fucking her senseless into the mattress.
A chorus of muffledyes, more,andharderis what drives me to the edge. I bring a hand down to her clit and the small pressure there has Maggie’s walls contracting around my cock. My thrusts become more frantic as I fuck her through her orgasm and the pressure builds at my spine, my vision going spotty.
“Where do you want me?” I grunt out. Instead of replying, Maggie pulls away and quickly repositions herself, taking me in her mouth once more. Her nails dig into my ass as she relaxes her throat and takes me as deep as she can. When she lets me go with a pop and wraps her hand around me, my vision goes spotty. I come so hard I think I black out. My hands are in her hair and I’m whispering filthy words as she wrings out every last drop.
As we lay there in a heap and my fingers brush the hair away from her sweaty forehead, the only thought left in my mind is that I need to make this woman my wife.
Once we’re showeredand we’ve brushed our teeth side by side in the small hotel bathroom, Maggie walks over to her suitcase and takes out one of my old T-shirts, throwing it on. I’m stuck in place, leaning against the doorframe as I watch her, damp hair braided and falling down one shoulder, my shirt only barely covering her ass. I don’t even remember when she stole that shirt. College? A few years later?
She fluffs up both pillows and pulls down the comforter. “Do you want your usual side?” she asks and my heart is in mydamn throat. The domesticity of our non-relationship hits me like a brick. We’re together in every sense of the word. Except she doesn’t want the label. I swallow hard and nod.
Maggie gets under the covers on the left side of the bed and makes herself comfortable, one hand clutching the blanket, the other resting on the pillow above her head. I stand there, my thoughts swirling.
She opens her eyes again to look at me and smiles. “What’re you waiting for, Ro?”
I walk over to the bed and join her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into my chest. She falls asleep almost immediately, her nose buried somewhere between my neck and shoulder.
What am I waiting for?A goddamn miracle.
CHAPTER 14
Maggie
March - Bahamas
I should have seenthe hangover coming from a mile away. I groan, turning on my side and reaching out for Rowan, finding…nothing. His side of the bed is empty. I listen for the shower noises but the room is quiet. A small breeze comes through the patio door and I try to get myself out of bed.
There’s a tall glass of water and a couple of AlkaSeltzer tablets on the nightstand and I mumble, “Bless you, Rowan,” as I drop them both in the glass. Swishing the liquid around, I stand and make my way to the patio.
While the resort is not quite on the ocean, it’s pretty damn close. Once I walk out, I realize just how close. The beach is probably only half a mile away and we’re in full view of the palm trees and the path that takes us straight to the ocean.
I admire the view and gulp down my hangover cure. After a second, I realize that Rowan is out here in the hammock overlooking the ocean. He shifts slightly and I see the white earbudsticking out. He’s probably listening to his daily podcast about habits and how to overcome stress.
I take a step closer to him, but something stops me. The conversation I tried so hard to avoid last night comes back to me full force. He was talking about the future.Hisfuture.
I want a family...I want more.
I thought that’s what I wanted too, once upon a time. Before I had to witness my parents’ divorce, watching my mom move out, leaving me behind with my dad, while the media had a field day. I spent weeks in my room, not wanting to come out or even play tennis. I was too afraid of seeing the reporters and paparazzi hounding my father, asking him about his affairs.Yes, multiple affairs.
My hands shake as I walk back into the room and I set the glass on the nightstand. He wants more. He can’t possibly want morewithme. Not when my sole purpose has been my career. Not when I’ve told him time and time again that I don’t want a relationship. Maybe once I win a Calendar Grand Slam and retire…
Blinking back tears, I force myself to take a shower and get ready for the wedding. As much as it’ll break my heart to do it, I think I need to set him free. He needs to find someone he’s worthy of. Someone worthy of loving him the way he deserves to be loved.
My sister looksbeautiful in her strapless white dress as I stand at her side by the ocean. Every now and then my eyes will betray me and look towards the small gathering of people occupying the chairs on the beach that were beautifully decorated with flowers.
My head is swimming with thoughts and I barely register that the couple has already said their vows. Andreea hands me her small bouquet of flowers and I gingerly take it, giving her a smile. She beams back at me, happiness radiating off her in waves.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the officiant says and I blink back tears, hoping that Max is the one for Andreea. The love of her life.
Even though I’ve tried my damned hardest to avoid him, my body betrays me as it turns and seeks out Rowan. I find him already watching me with a serene smile and my heart aches. We’ve made so many good memories over the years and he’s been my person through it all. Am I really ready to lose him?
My sour moodcomes back in full force during the reception. But for once, I drop the facade. Tonight, I don’t care what others think of me. I dance with Rowan, albeit I do my best to keep some distance between us, not wanting to get my family suspicious. I also avoid my parents, who are without a doubt, judging my every move.
When Andreea and I get a moment to ourselves, she asks, “How’re you doing? You seem a little down, and you’ve barely sipped your drink.”
