Page 60 of Full Throttle

Cherry’s lovely eyes were warm and filled with emotion. “The same goes for me. Hannah is well and happy. Working in a safe place. She’s in love and getting married. I have a new job, a new place to live, and I get to do it with the sexiest man in the room.” She paused. “One I love with all my heart and who I can’t wait to share a life with.”

I pulled her closer.

“A year ago, I was so alone. I hated so much of my life,” she admitted softly. “I worried about Hannah constantly. I never thought the future held anything good for me. Until I met you.” She laid her head on my chest, holding me tight. “I love you, Dominic Salvatore.”

I pulled her into the corner, lifting her chin and kissing her. “I need to take you home now, Cherry G. Show you how much I love you.”

She grinned. “Good idea.”

I pulled her behind me, and we stopped to say good night to a few people. The party was winding down, and I knew Chase, Brett, Maxx, and Stefano would sit and catch up with one another. Charly and Gabby would pull their husbands away to their homes and children after a while. I needed Cherry alone now. No one looked surprised. We got hugs and promises to see one another the next day for an impromptu barbecue. We’d catch up with everyone then.

In the meantime, I had plans for Cherry.

And none of them involved much sleep.

By the following weekend, I was a nervous wreck. I was having trouble sleeping, worried and anxious. Cherry was patient, understanding my tension. Friday night, I sat on the sofa, unable to sleep. I left Cherry in bed and paced for a while before sitting down. I let my shoulders fall forward, weaving my fingers together on the back of my head, stretching the sore muscles. I startled when Cherry sat next to me, rubbing my back. She didn’t speak, but offered me the comfort of her touch.

“What if he hates me?” I said, finally expressing my fears out loud. “What if she’s poisoned him against me so much, I don’t have a chance?”

“Then we’ll un-poison him.”

“What if he won’t talk to me?”

“We’ll find common ground.”

“What if he refuses to see me again?”

“Then we’ll wait. You can give Halton letters for him. This time, you’ll know he gets them.”

“I’m fucking frightened, Cherry.”

“I know, sweetheart,” she soothed. “But I’m here. We’re going to get through this.”

I kept hearing one word repeated in her calm assurances. We. It reminded me of one very big difference from the past.

I wasn’t alone in this anymore.

Halton was in my corner.

And so was Cherry.

He was looking after the legalities, and she was handling all the rest.

Me.

I turned to her, meeting her calm gaze. She rested her head on my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm around her. “What would I do without you, Cherry G?”

“You don’t have to find out.”

I pulled her to my lap so she straddled me. I captured her mouth with mine, kissing her. Tasting her sweetness. Her love. The way she cared for me.

She made me feel important. Seen. She gave me the courage to do this, no matter the result. Because she would be there with me.

I deepened the kiss. I had been needy and physical with her all week. Taking her nightly, not always gentle. But right now, all I felt for her was love. Tenderness. The joy of knowing she was here and mine.

Our tongues slid together in a leisurely dance, igniting my desire. I slipped my hands under the loose T-shirt she wore, stroking her back. I glided my fingertips over the dips and curves of her spine, feeling the delicate bones that held such strength. I widened my hands, marveling at the silkiness of her skin. The roundness of her hips. The warmth of her neck. I cupped her ass, groaning when I realized she was naked under the shirt. I dipped lower, finding her heat. The slickness of her coating my fingers.

“You want me, baby?” I whispered, kissing my way up her neck and pulling at her lobe with my teeth, swirling my tongue on the sensitive skin behind her ear.