It’s on.
She jumps into my arms, and I lift her up with her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her into the room. The sound of the door abruptly closing hits our ears.
I drop her onto the bed, and we both swiftly claw our clothes off. I’m over her, our mouths finding one another. It’s rapid and raw, with my hand sneaking between us to part her legs open.
“Say it again,” I grovel an order.
Her eyes twinkle. “I love you.”
I kiss down her neck with no direction and feel like we’re drowning in chaos, as hands and mouths go everywhere. We’re hungry for one another.
“I’ll never get tired of you saying that.” My voice is thick.
I use my fingers, exploring her pussy to see that she’s ready, but it was a pointless move, as she’s soaking, and instinct reminds me that I knew she would be.
“Please,” Harlow keens.
I slam inside of her with so much purpose, and she whimpers. Her back arches off the bed, and her legs align around my waist, bringing us closer.
“I fucking love you.” I kiss her once more before pumping into her with reverence and a strong desire to sear her so she’ll always be mine.
We move together with labored breath and bodies heating up.
I’m conflicted if hearing her say the words for the first time or saying it while I’m deep inside her are better. I can’t think about it right now; we’re getting lost in our own bubble, with her moan being a curse because it only levels up my plans to never let her go. That pesky detail of next steps in our relationship are only a speck in my head right now because my focus is on Harlow underneath me, her eyes wistful and trapped with my own.
We whisper back and forth the words that I didn’t imagine I would hear earlier today but had buried inside me behind the defensive wall that I had temporarily built in case our relationship never went anywhere.
After an explosion from what feels like the confirmation that we’re in too deep, I collapse onto her and bear my weight on my arms. I stay inside of her, completely spent, with her heart under my ear and her fingers fumbling with my hair.
“Give me tonight. Over and over,” Harlow whispers.
It’s reassuring, but I can’t help but notice there’s a looming disaster at the root of her words.
20
HARLOW
Glancing to my side, I’m well aware that Stone is in a good mood, and to be honest, so am I. We walk side by side down Main Street after grabbing a coffee to-go for him and an iced tea for me. Our shoulders occasionally touch as a natural current flows between us.
Last night felt as though I were in a dream. Everything I would never expect yet apparently exactly what I wanted. I don’t think either of us can stop smiling. I’m surprised the muscles in my cheeks haven’t strained from the constant stretch of elation on my mouth.
But then I feel guilty, very guilty. I truly wanted to be there for Stone last night for his brother’s wedding. However, I think I had an underlying motive. I need to observe Lake Spark once more. When Stone and I last saw one another, it was blatantly clear that our future would hang on a choice. He’s staying firm on his decision, which means that I’m the one making the leap.
“It’s great weather today. Want to go to Catch 22 and grab a table by the water?”
I grab his arm to loop through mine. “I am slightly famished, although I enjoy taking in my surroundings too. I haven’t checked out the sale at the lingerie boutique or glanced at the schedule at the dance studio, maybe they have my Zumba lessons.”
Stone gives me a peculiar look. “Those are must-dos. But let’s take a seat over there by the gazebo and I can finish my coffee.”
“Sounds good.”
I’m surprised that the park isn’t busier. There are only a few picnics between families or friends happening and a father and son kicking a soccer ball between them.
“It’s calm here,” I reflect.
Stone rests his arm on the back of the bench. “It’s Sunday. Most people are at this tiny stretch of beach on the other side of the lake or out on a boat or SUP board or something. A lot of hikers in the forest too.”
“Those are all good activities, especially since feeding ducks bread is off the list.” I point my nose at a sign that forbids giving snacks to the birds.
