Elise digs her ass into the mattress and lets out a shaky breath. Taking that as a cue to continue, I rut into her until she stiffens, trembles, and moans loudly. I follow her almost immediately. Blinding sparks light the darkness behind my eyes as an explosion of sensations tears through me.
She clings to me in shuddering spasms while I continue coating her pussy with my thick, warm cum.
Sweaty, dazed, and breathless, we lie tangled in the sheets and each other, her head on my chest. The room is quiet except for our gradually steadying breaths and our thumping heartbeats.
"I can't believe this is real."
I press a kiss to the top of her head. "Which part? The part where James got us a room that looks like an interactive Valentine's Day card, or the part where I told you I've been in love with you since high school?"
She chuckles. "Both. But especially the second part."
My fingers find her chin, tilting her face up to mine. "So, can I take you on a real first date?"
"Elias, we're way past first dates."
"I know, but I want to do this right. Wine and dine you. Court you properly."
Her gaze softens. "I'd like that."
I hesitate, suddenly nervous to say aloud my next thought, despite everything we've shared tonight. "Elise, will you be my girlfriend? For real this time. No fake dating, no schemes. Just us."
"Yes. God, yes," she chuckles to herself, "I'm done with practice, anyway."
"You know, it's not polite to laugh at your own jokes ... according to James." She reaches out and pinches me hard. But I have no body fat to grip, and her thumb and finger just slip off into nothingness. "Ha, serves you right. Now it's my turn," I shoot out my hand to tickle her ribs, and she squirms away laughing loudly.
I shake my head in wonder. "I can't believe you wanted me all this time."
"I can't believe YOU wanted ME all this time."
"We wasted so many years."
"We have time now. All the time in the world."
"I love you, Elise Walters."
She smiles against my lips. "I love you too, Elias King."
And in this moment, with her in my arms, I know that everything—the waiting, the longing, the years apart—was worth it. Because it led us here, to this perfect moment, to each other.
Elise will be mine until the day I die.
===
EPILOGUE
ELIAS
One Month later
Fresh from the showers, I step my way through teammates, family, and friends with an imperceptible limp. Nothing bad, just an ankle sprain, but I'll miss the next game. I see Elise and James hanging back near the exit doors. Elise jumps, throwing her arms around my neck. I've come to expect this greeting from Elise. James just stands back and watches.
"Aww, that greeting never gets old. But don't you think it might be best to go easy on the man, especially right after a game?"
"Oh, so sorry, darling." Taking a step back, her jaw drops open, and her hand hits her mouth. "What happened?"
"Nothing, I'll tell you on the way. Are we late, James? Let's go."
James drives, and we head straight to the Khan hotel. "You two obviously need me to get you another room when we arrive ... " he glances at us kissing in the back seat, "... and some foodtoo. Can't you just stop eating each for the next ten minutes? Please!" Then he grins at us in the rear-view mirror. I'll make sure you have enough to eat and drink, promise.
