Page 66 of Gang of Roses: Rebel

“No more running,” Crow agreed. “From this moment on, I’m done fighting what we’ve been becoming.”

With that, he pulled me into another slow kiss, and for the first time, it didn’t feel like two best friends crossing a line. It felt like two people finally finding their way home.

Without taking his eyes off mine, Crow gently slipped me out of my clothes. There wasn’t any rush in his movements, only patience and care. He reached for my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine as he led me toward the bedroom. He stopped beside the bed and searched my face one last time.

“You still sure?” he asked softly.

I smiled and nodded.

“I’ve never been more sure.”

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth before he leaned down and kissed me, slowly, tenderly, like he wanted me to remember this moment forever. We eased onto the bed together, neither of us saying another word. We didn’t need to. Years of friendship had brought us here, and every unspoken feeling we’d buried finally had room to breathe. Slowly, he climbed on top of my naked body and kissed me with so much passion. He slowly stroked and explored me so beautifully. My pussy became wet as my walls gripped him for dear life. As we made love for the first time, it felt like home. We chose each other. The rest of the world faded away as we held one another, letting love speak where words no longer could.

After we finally crossed the line, I was nervous. But once we were done, Crow pulled me into his arms and held me close. Neither of us spoke for a while. We just lay there, listening to each other’s heartbeat as everything that had just happened settled in.

“So...” I said with a nervous laugh.

“So,” Crow echoed, smiling.

“I guess we’re really doing this.”

He nodded. “I’ve wanted this for a long time, Rain. I was just scared I’d lose my best friend.”

I looked over at him. “I felt the same way. I kept trying to convince myself these feelings would go away, but they never did.”

Crow reached over and intertwined his fingers with mine. “Then let’s stop fighting it.”

“You sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure.”

I smiled and squeezed his hand.

“Okay,” I whispered. “Let’s give us a real chance.”

He leaned over and kissed my forehead.

“I promise I’m gonna love you the right way.”

I rested my head on his chest, feeling lighter than I had in a long time. After a while, we climbed out of bed, threw on some clothes, and headed into the living room. Crow grabbed the remote and turned on the television while I wandered into the kitchen to fix us something to eat. For the first time in a long time, life didn’t feel so heavy. It finally felt like I had someone to carry it with. When I came back into the living room carrying two plates of food, Crow had already stretched out on the couch with the television on. I handed him his plate before curling up beside him.

“What we watching?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” he replied with a shrug. “News was already on.”

I took a bite of my food just as the anchor’s voice suddenly grew more serious.

“We’re following breaking news tonight. Federal agents have raided Monarch Wealth Management after investigators uncovered what officials are calling a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme. The company is accused of defrauding hundreds of investors, and authorities believe millions of dollars have disappeared.”

My fork slipped from my hand and clattered onto the plate.

“No...” I whispered.

Crow looked over at me.

“Rain?”

My eyes stayed glued to the television.