48
SLOANE
“Please say I can kiss you.” Cristian stares at my mouth with ardent longing.
“If you don’t, I will,” I reply with zero hesitation. One key lesson I’ve learned these past few years is to grasp the happy moments when I can, because they’ve been few and far between.
I want Cristian, and he still wants me. Everything else can be figured out later.
“I love you.” He holds my face like I’m precious before his lips descend in a searing-hot, claiming kiss that heats me all over. Cristian kisses like a man starved of oxygen who can finally breathe. I can relate. With every sweep of his lips, every plunge of his tongue, he breathes life back into me.
The marriage of our mouths is greedy, possessive, almost bordering on violent, as we devour one another with years of pent-up longing. I never thought I’d have this again, and I’m desperate for him. Teeth clash and tongues tangle as we frantically kiss, drawing moans and pants from one another as hands find bare skin, touching, tasting, wanting.
Then we’re ripping at our clothes in a competitive race to get naked and seal our reunion.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” Cristian’s gaze roams my bare flesh when we’re both naked. Propping on his side, he pulls the covers back and lets his hands explore.
My body has changed. I’m healthier with more meat on my bones and sculpted muscles. Daily gym workouts and regular runs keep me fit, and self-defense classes and practice at the range ensure I’m always prepared for the unexpected.
“You’re perfect,” he adds, cupping one breast while tracing the dip at my waist with his free hand.
“This is the real me this time,” I say, letting him drink his fill.
“I didn’t think you could be more beautiful, but you have proven me wrong.” There is nothing but desire and adoration in his gaze, and relief courses through me.
“I need you inside me, Cristian.”
Rolling on top of me, he presses his body onto mine, careful to keep some of his weight back so he doesn’t crush me. “Do I need a condom?” he inquires, dusting kisses along my collarbone.
“I have an IUD, and I’m clean.” We never made love without a condom previously, but this feels right. I want to feel him inside me with no barriers, no obstacles in our way this time.
“I haven’t been with anyone since you.”
My eyes widen. “You haven’t?”
His fingers draw circles around the hard points of my nipples as he shakes his head. “I couldn’t bear the thought of being intimate with anyone but you.” My guilt must show on my face. “Hey, that was my choice.” His fingers brush over my lips. “It’s okay if you haven’t been celibate. I gave you no reason to believe I was waiting for you.”
“There were only a few,” I truthfully admit. “I was all alone, and sometimes I needed human contact. None of them meant anything more than a warm body to temporarily chase the pain away.”
“I understand.” He kisses me softly. “I hate the thought of anyone else touching you, but you did what you had to do to survive, and I’ll never hold it against you because the path led you back to me. Promise me one thing.”
“Anything. It’s yours.” I pant, wrapping my legs around his waist and arching my hips as his mouth closes around one breast.
“No other man is ever touching you again. You are mine, Sloane. Forever mine.”
“That’s what you really want?” I place my hand over his heart, and the steady thrumming against my palm is a balm to my soul.
“Yes. I know we have a lot to work through, but we’ll figure it out.” He places his hand on top of mine on his chest. “Together.” He kisses me. “We’re a team. You’ll never be alone again.”
I attack him, forcing him onto his back and straddling his thighs. “I love you so fucking much,” I say before crushing my mouth to his and sliding my body back and forth across his erection. Cristian groans into my mouth, grabbing handfuls of my ass and controlling the rocking motion of my hips.
When I can’t take it anymore, I rip my mouth from his, hold his dick steady at the base and position myself over his hard length. “Yours,” I say, slowly lowering onto his cock. “Forever,” I promise, seating myself fully.
“Oh fuck.” Cristian’s eyes gleam with heat and so much love I almost cry.
I thought this was lost to me, and I can’t believe he is finally truly mine.
“You feel so incredible, and I will never get enough of you, Sloane.You. Are. Mine.”
