“Wow. If I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t believe you were going to meet a client,” I tease.
He just shakes his head. “Gotta do what I have to to impress the clients. Even if it means trading in my jeans and T-shirts for something a bit fancier every once in a while.” He presses another kiss to my forehead before lifting back up. “I shouldn’t be too long. Then you’re mine for the rest of the night.”
“You can count on it,” I promise.
He gives me a wink, and I sigh as he leaves the apartment. Curling up, I think about our day and let the exhaustion finally take over as I drift off to sleep with a smile on my face and one in my heart.
Thanks to him.
RIDING THE ELEVATOR TO my apartment, I run a hand through my hair. I’ve been gone longer than I’d planned—thanks to an unexpected development. And I’m now completely on edge.
My boss asked what the fuck I was doing. The answer was on the tip of my tongue, and even though I was quick enough to not say it out loud, I still thought it.
What I’m doing is falling for Gabriella Latham, and like a runaway train, I’m not powerful enough to stop it. Hell, I probably wouldn’t even if I could. The way she fell apart in my arms last night, talking about her parents, broke my fucking heart even though I already knew the entire story. I probably could’ve told it in my sleep, but hearing it from her perspective made it even realer. As much as I wanted to comfort her, her strength shone through when she dried her tears and continued telling me the rest. Her life with Morningstar replaced any sorrow I was feeling with anger, and I struggled not to show it. My questioning nearly got me in trouble.
After I step off the elevator, I let myself into my apartment, hoping Brie didn’t mind my absence for too long. I quietly close the door, stopping in the front foyer. I let out a small sigh of relief as I hear the sounds of soft music. Loosening my tie, I’m thankful she bought my excuse about wanting to look professional while meeting with a potential client. In fact, she seemed downright proud of the fact that I took my job seriously, and for a split second, all the lies cut me to the core.
As I walk down the hall towards the living room, a mouth-watering aroma attacks my senses. A smile forms on my lips—she felt at home enough to cook for me.
I stop in my tracks at the thought. Is this what I want? For her to feel at home? Here? With me? Even though I’m not sure we have a future, no matter how badly I’m starting to want one?
Who the fuck am I fooling? I do want a future with her, and I’m finding I’ll do anything to have one. Even if it means lying to my boss. After three fucking weeks of incredible sex and natural conversation, I’m losing my mind with wanting to be with her at all times. My growing feelings for her are clouding everything, but as I continue into the living room and find her curled up on my couch, fast asleep, looking young and carefree, I know I will fight for this woman. Even though she may not know it, she needs me now more than ever, and I refuse to let her down.
How could I not want this beautiful woman in my home? Last night, she showed the purity of her heart and the depth of her strength. She’s so much more than I ever expected, and as I watch her, I realize I’ve never wanted anyone more. I never will. It might have started as a rebound, but it’s way beyond that now. Suddenly, my mouth waters for an entirely different reason, and I have to have her.
Her long, dark hair is framing her exquisite face. Her full lips are parted ever so slightly in her sleep. After slipping my shoes off, I quietly cross the room and kneel before her. I lean forward and brush my lips against her soft, full ones, pressing a gentle kiss there then pulling back slightly to look down at her. She lets out a tiny moan in her sleep. Lust and desire wash over me, but I vow to take my time. I won’t rush this. Ever.
She shifts but doesn’t wake, and I slowly bring my hands up to unbutton her shirt—well, the one of mine that she slipped on when we returned home. I’m pleased when I see that she isn’t wearing a bra. Bowing my head, I place one more soft kiss on her lips before kissing down along her jawline then trailing down her smooth, beautiful skin until I reach the swell of her breasts. My fingers push the material away, and my eyes fixate on the simple gesture of her chest rising and falling in time with her breathing.
I was supposed to be there. I was supposed to die alongside them.
Her sentiment from the night before echoes in my mind, and I sit back on my heels, watching as her lungs expand and collapse in a rhythmic fashion. It’s such a basic human thing, the art of breathing. But in this moment, while I watch her do so, the beautiful signs of life touch me in a profound way. She has no idea how right she is, and as I raise my eyes to the ceiling, I make a promise to her, God, and anyone listening that I will protect her until my last dying breath. That wrong will never be righted.
Shaking the dismal thoughts out of my head, I move back in, sweeping my tongue over the soft peaks towards her nipples, my tongue tracing them as they harden underneath my wet touch. She moans again in her slumber, and I smile against her breast, bringing my hand up to cup the other one, caressing it in time with my mouth. I take the tip of her nipple into my mouth, sucking gently, reveling in the feel of her, the taste of her. I could do this all day.
A sharp intake of breath breaks my concentration, and I look up to see Brie’s beautiful, brown eyes flutter open as she blinks twice. They’re cloudy and disoriented, slowly filling with lust as she spies me latched on to her nipple. A smile spreads over her sleepy face, and it’s captivating as she watches me love on her beautiful peaks.
“You’re back,” she whispers, her voice swirling with sleep and desire. She likes this kind of wake-up call.
“Mmm hmm,” I hum.