“Please,” I begged as my orgasm built low in my belly.
“You’re going to take it as long as I’m willing to give it. And I’m not done.”
Duke dragged things out, slowing his movements to a snail’s pace. I locked my legs around his waist and pleaded with him to let me come, to soothe the ache. Finally, he obliged, thrusting once, twice, and another time before I climaxed, coming long and hard. He followed me over soon after with his mouth on mine.
As our breaths evened out, Duke brushed wet kisses over my jawline, to my ear. “Love you,” he murmured.
I wrapped my arms around him, holding him to me. “I love you too.”
“I’ll always want this,” he told me. “There’s nobody else for me. Only you.”
I pulled back and smiled. “I feel the same way, love.”
He brushed my nose with his. “We can always change our flight to tomorrow.”
Laughing, I nodded. “Let’s do it.”
I hopped off the countertop, then took off up the stairs. Duke caught up with me easily, scooping me into his arms, and carrying me to the bedroom where he made me come again. Then, again. And another time. As we drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms, I knew that it didn’t matter where we were—California, Michigan, Georgia, or anywhere else—if I was with him, I was home.
Epilogue
ALL LOVE
Duke
Some Time Later
“Let’s go!” I shouted as the team hustled down the court. The game had gone into overtime and the jam-packed arena was full to capacity with cheering fans on each side. The atmosphere was electric with so much on the line. A shot bounced off the net, with a rebound leading to a drive and score by the opposing team.
With forty seconds on the clock and their team down by two, all eyes were on the point guard as he scanned the court, trying to find an open player. Once he tossed the ball to the power forward, the hustle was on again. Soon, the point guard had the ball again and sent it soaring in the air.Score. Three-point shot, putting them ahead by one.
I leaned down, elbows on my knees as I waited while the coach used the last timeout to speak to his team. Next to me, Demi was transfixed on the action, bouncing our one-year-old baby boy in her arms. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight they made, sitting by my side, supporting me, loving me.
Time had passed by quickly, but we moved through it slowly, savoring our time together. Once I decided Demi was the one for me, I never looked back. Neither did she. We’d settled into life together seamlessly, and I had no regrets. The icing on the cake was the birth of my son, Isaiah Jimyr Young. I smiled to myself as I remembered Pop’s face when we revealed that we wanted to give our son his middle name, Isaiah. It had been a decision made in love and gratitude and honor to the man who Demi and I both called “father”.
Demi elbowed me gently, pulling me out of my thoughts as the game resumed. I took a deep breath as I watched the point guard prepare to defend their one-point lead. When the other team sent the ball onto the court, the crowd erupted. I stood, pounding my fist into my hands. “Let’s go, baby!”
“Come on, boys!” Demi shouted, standing.
Isaiah laughed. Initially, we had reservations about bringing him to the game, but he’d done a good job in the loud atmosphere. He would probably be asleep for the rest of the day, though.
Time was running out as the trailing team launched the ball down the court, just in time for their power forward to shoot the ball. It bounced off the rim.Five-seconds. The rebound went to their team, though. And right before the buzzer sounded, they shot a layup, winning the game by one point.
Demi let out a frustrated curse. “That’s some bullshit,” she muttered.
I shook my head as the fans around us roared their disappointment in the outcome. My eyes landed on the point guard, who was visibly distraught. Yet, even though he seemed devastated, he’d rallied his team as they congratulated the new state champions.
We waited several minutes before we made our way down from the bleachers to the floor. My stomach roiled as we waited. What happened next could be very good or very bad.
Demi tucked Isaiah into his stroller and turned to me. “Are you okay, love?”
I nodded. “I’m good.”
She squeezed my hand. “Whatever happens, we’ll handle it together.”
As chattering people exited the arena, I noticed someone familiar on the other side of the court. I frowned as I zeroed in on the person. Correction.Persons. I nudged Demi. “Look at that.”
Demi frowned, whirling around. On the other side of the court, my mother and father were seated on the bottom bench. Behind them were several of my siblings and their spouses. “Oh my goodness,” she whispered.
