I catch his bottom lip between my teeth and tug, just enough to feel the shift before I let go. My head tips back against the door as I release him, and the groan he makes in response sends a sharp, heated thrill through me.
“You went to war for me,” I breathe.
Alex opens his eyes, the love-drunk haze sharpening into something so intense I almost look away. He leans in, nose brushing the curve of my throat, his voice a low murmur against my skin, dark and full of promise.
“You have no idea the hell I would raise for you, Taylor.”
A gentle bite at my earlobe draws a soft inhale from me, my lower lip catching between my teeth in response. Heat unfurls low in my stomach as his mouth moves, tracing along my jaw, then back to lips.
This is more than a kiss. It’s worship. It’s reverent.
It’s everything and still not enough.
If I could, I’d hold onto this moment, tuck it somewhere safe for the hard days waiting back home. Something to remember when things feel too heavy, too loud.
Because this isn’t just physical, not for me.
It’s the way he’s holding me, the way he’s choosing me like there’s no other option. And it sinks into me deeper than anything I can name, deeper than anything I’ve felt before, like I was always meant to end up here, with him.
My hands find his hair, fingers tangling in the soft waves as I tug him closer. I can’t help it and I don’t want to. Stopping what’s growing between us would be impossible now.
With a low grunt, Alex carries me toward his bed and lays me down gently. I make room, and he fills it instantly, settling beside me on his side, propped up on an elbow.
His other hand traces slow, teasing circles across my chest, then feathers over my collarbone.
My eyes grow heavy as I watch his fingers move over my skin. I’ve never paid attention to hands before, but my God—Alex’s are beautiful. My gaze drifts higher, following the movement of his forearms. I want to run my tongue along the perfectly sculpted muscle there.
He hums softly, like he’s heard every thought, then trails his hand upward, tilting my chin with his finger so I’m looking straight into his ocean eyes.
Tension crackles between us.
Alex licks his lips. A slow, intentional tease that floods my senses. A devilish smile cuts across his face before he closes the distance again.
I’m floating.
Drowning, lost in every sensation he’s pulling from me. Our kiss is heat and pressure, sharp edges and swallowed sounds. My hands slide up his arms, press over his chest, and trace their way down his back
I break the kiss first, chest rising too fast as I focus on the steady movement of his hand gliding up and down my belly. Each pass drifting a little lower than the last.
Hot breath brushes my lips as I look up at him. He’s watching me closely, searching my face for something. Hesitation or maybe permission.
“Can I touch you?” His voice breaks slightly, rough with restraint. “I want to touch you—fuck,Ineedto touch you—but only if you want it too.”
A shaky breath slips out of me as I nod, pulling him closer instead of answering right away. My hand cups his jaw, the faint scratch of stubble grounding me, holding his attention.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
His eyes flick between mine, searching one last time for any doubt. When he finds none, his expression softens into relief, quiet and unmistakable.
“Okay,” he murmurs, voice rough. His hand moves with new certainty, like my answer was the most precious thing in the world. And in this moment, maybe it was. “Okay.”
My breath catches as his fingertips slide beneath the waistband of my shorts, warmth meeting the heat already pooling low in my stomach. I moan at the first brush, as he traces over the thin lace covering me.
“Fuckkk…” Alex groans against my neck. “You’re already so wet for me, Taylor.Holy shit.”
Whatever restraint he had left snaps.
His hands tighten on my shorts and panties, pulling them down my legs and letting them fall to the floor beside the bed. In one swift motion, he’s over me again, kissing me with deep, deliberate strokes. His lips, his tongue, all intent, all claim.
