She smiled. “I’m glad, because I really liked watching it.”
I stroked her cheek with my thumb. “On second thought, this smile right here, this might be the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
I began to move, slowly at first, gliding in and out. Something was different about this time, like all the barriers between us had been removed, and I was finally free to love her.
I kissed her lips gently. “I love you.”
She searched my eyes. “I love you, too, Drew. I didn’t know it until I felt the real thing, but I’m not sure I was ever really in love before I met you.”
It felt like she’d given me a crown. In that moment, I was a fucking king. I wasn’t sure what I’d done to deserve her, but I was greedy enough not to care. She was mine to keep, and I planned on keeping her forever this time.
Even though it had been only a few weeks since the last time I was inside of her, that was way too long. I tried to go slow, but when she tightened her legs around me and her pussy clenched, fisting my cock, I knew I wasn’t going to last long. She liked it when I talked during sex, so I whispered everything I wanted to do to her in her ear—how I couldn’t wait to rub my face in her pussy, how I wanted to come all over her tits, and how later I was going to bend her over the counter she was sitting on and take her from behind, finishing all over ass cheeks that would be hot and red from my hand stinging them.
She moaned loudly, yelling my name and begging for me to go harder. I sped up my pace, and after I felt her body spasm all around me, I came long and hard inside of her. There was no way the neighbors didn’t hear our spectacular finish—and I certainly hoped one in particular had enjoyed hearing it.
After our breathing calmed, I wiped a stray hair from her cheek and looked into her sated blue eyes. “So, you’re really moving to Atlanta with me?
“I am.”
“I found a little house with a yard that’s available to rent. Maybe you can come see it, and we can decide if we want something bigger.”
“I’ve been living in this shoebox for six months—anything will seem bigger.”
“It’s got three bedrooms, a big bathtub, and the landlord told me I could repaint it if I want to.”
“Are you saying you’ll allow me to add color to your life?”
“I’m saying you already have. You’re the red in my black and white world.”
Emerie, One year later
“Did you get it?”
Roman reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Right here.” He shook his head. “Still can’t believe you pulled this shit off.”
I spotted Drew coming down the hall. “Put it away. Here he comes.”
Roman slipped the envelope back into his pocket and pulled out a flask instead. Twisting off the cap, he offered it to me. “Swig?”
“No, thanks.”
Drew walked in as Roman put the beat-up, old metal flask to his lips. “You still carry that thing around with you?”
“Never know when you’ll need a shot of Hennessy, my friend.”
I was surprised Drew hadn’t started doing shots after the last few days. I’d pretty much driven him crazy getting ready for tonight. My parents would be arriving in the next few minutes, and a half dozen of Beck’s friends were coming, too. Even though we’d lived in Atlanta for nearly a year now, it was really the first time we’d be having company. Well, except for Roman—who didn’t count as a guest. He was always family to Drew, and over the last year, he’d become my family, too. He was the annoying brother I’d always wanted.
Sometimes when he’d visit, I’d find him on the couch playing video games with Drew at two in the morning. Other times, he’d make Drew miss his flight when he had business in New York because he’d dragged him out on a stakeout. But all the time, he was there for us. Most people got scars from the chicken pox. Drew got a treasured friend for life. Somehow that made sense with those two.
Beck came barreling in from the yard. His clothes were drenched, and brown water dripped from his little head. “I watered the garden!”
“Ummm…did you water the garden, or did the garden water you?” I pointed to the bathroom. “Go take a bath before everyone gets here.”
“Can I just go in the pool naked?” He jumped up and down, holding his hands in the praying position.
“No, you can’t go in the pool naked. The neighbors will see you.”
Beck pouted and slumped his shoulders before turning to drag his feet en route to the bathroom.
“Roman and I are going to pick up beer,” Drew announced. “Need anything while I’m out? Pick up the cake you ordered?”
“My parents are swinging by the bakery on their way here. It’s a tradition that they pay for the cake. Don’t ask,” I lied.