Her breathing quickens, and she stares at me for a beat. I’m about to tell her that she’s the only thing that matters to me, and that I’d give up the world for her.
That I have.
But before I can get the words out, she says, “Take me upstairs, Gabriel.”
Everything stops. If I could throw her over my shoulder and run up the stairs without drawing attention, I would.
“Yes, ma’am.”
I kiss her again, grabbing her hand before leading her to my apartment.
She waltzes into the living room like she belongs here, and I guess that’s because she does. The only time this place has ever felt like home was when she was here, and that’s probably because she’s the only thing I’ve ever cared to have.
She’s all I’d grab in a fire.
She spins to face me and starts to work on the buttons of my shirt. Her eyes meet mine, and her breathing falters. Wrapping my hands around her wrists, I mutter, “You’re sure?”
She nods, pausing for only a moment before going back to my buttons.
Then, her mouth is on my chest as she peels my shirt off, tossing it to the floor and wrapping her arms around my neck. I lift her, and she locks her legs around my waist.
With a hand in her hair, I devour her mouth, never letting her up for air as I carry her across the room. Kicking open my bedroom door, my heart pounds so hard I think she can probably feel it against hers. I toss her on my bed, standing over her to take in her heaving breaths through parted lips. When I finally lean over for one more kiss, her hands tangle in my hair like she’s desperate to get closer. I yank her dress down and toss it to the floor, leaving her in nothing but a hot-pink thong.
I suck in a sharp breath. She’s the most perfect woman I’ve ever seen, and there’s never been a time she didn’t take my breath away. She moans into my mouth as I press against her. My hands slide up her thighs to rest on her hips, and my lips brush over her collarbone before trailing down her chest until I reach her stomach.
I stop.
My heart twists.
She did it all alone. I’ll never not regret that. There’s a tiny sliver of glass lodged in my sternum from what happened. It’ll never be removed. It’ll slice and gnaw at me for the rest of my life because no matter what I say or do moving forward, I can never take it back.
She runs a hand into my hair, pulling me from my thoughts, and I move to her hip bone before pressing a kiss to the front of her lace panties.
“Please,” she whispers.
A smile spreads across my lips.
If she gives me even a moment of her time, she won’t ever have to ask for anything again; I’ll give her everything. I slide off the tiny piece of lace and throw it across the room before resting her legs on my shoulders. When my breath hits her bare skin, she arches off the bed, gripping the sheets.
I’d gladly get lost in this woman. I thought I could just sleep with other women and it would be enough. But it wasn’t like this. It couldn’t be because Ash is my perfect match. She’s the only person I’ve ever been drawn to like this. I felt that pull every day for six years, and I felt it again tonight.
She writhes against my hold, whimpering my name. I’ve missed that sound. I’ve missed every sound she makes.
Each soft press of my lips has her coming undone a little more. My tongue darts out to make a slow swipe and her legs clench.
I hum into her. “I’ve missed this, baby.”
She starts to say something, but it turns to a gasp when I cover her clit with my mouth. I lick, and suck, and nip. As I slip a finger into her, her legs start to shake. It takes mere minutes for her to tighten around me.
When she finally comes down, I sit up and ditch the rest of my clothes, desperate to be inside her. The bedside lamp is the only light. It shines against the side of her face, leaving her glowing against my sheets.
She smiles up at me with her hair splayed around her like a spiraled halo. With heavy lids, she says, “You’re so good at that.”
I catch her bottom lip with my teeth, fist the back of her hair, and pull her head back. “Did you forget how much time I spent between your legs?”
She grinds, sliding against my cock.
I grin. “I didn’t. I’ve been dreaming about it for six goddamn years.”
