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She looks up, her expression full of sadness.
“I meant we wouldn’t betogether. And you know that.”
Together.As I say the word, it solidifies in my mind.Thatis what I want.
She nods, a small smile pushing one side of her mouth up ever so slightly.
“Look, I know the situation is shit, but beinghere,withyou,I wouldn’t change it for the world, alright?”
“Really?”
“Really,” I say and squeeze her leg.
We sit like that for a moment, sharing the space, breathing in the gravity of everything around us.
“What do you say we go check out that tub?” I offer.
She blinks and her mouth parts as though with a silent gasp, staring at me in shock.
She nods excitedly, her face lighting up with a sweet, girlish giggle as I stand and pull her up, claiming her mouth with mine as my hands run down her back until they’re cupped tightly around her arse.
She giggles, breaking the kiss, and I bend down to wrap my arms around her, easily lifting her up over my shoulder, relishing in the sound of her squeals and giggles as I carry her up the stairs.
I throw her down on the bed, climbing on top of her, and my tongue is in her mouth, a fire burning through my veins as her nails claw at my arms, her body tensing underneath me all over again.
Pulling myself off her with a low growl, my breath catches as I stand at the edge of the bed. She props herself up on her elbows, watching me.
I peel off my shirt, letting it drop to the floor, savouring the glow in her eyes as they trace every inch of skin from my face to my chest, down my arms, across my abs and finally to my waist.
The hunger in her gaze sends a bolt of heat through me, but it isn’t only lust. There’s something deeper. More powerful. A need to makeher feel safe. To protect her. To show her that I’m going to be here for her.
I climb back on the bed, pressing her back down into the mattress with another kiss. I trail my mouth along her neck, grazing her skin with my teeth before gently nipping her ear.
“I’m all yours,” I whisper, barely able to get the words out over the thudding in my chest.
I’d never said that to anyone before. Never even come close. But the truth of it settles deep inside me. Imeanit. I want to be hers – completely.
And I want to know, without question, that she’s mine.
Mine.
God, just the thought of it pushes me to the fucking edge.
For the first time in a long time, I feel certain about something. About her. Aboutus.
Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me close as she kisses me with a fire that makes my whole body tense. I can feel my cock pulsating against the fabric of my briefs, every nerve in my body on edge.
Breathless, I pull away with a reluctant groan, kissing her one last time before dragging myself off her and turning on the tap to the bath. As the sound of rushing water fills the room, I have to remind myself I’ve got the rest of the week to make love to her as many times as I want.
“I’ll be right back.”
Jogging down the stairs, I grab the pack of condoms from the shopping bag by the door, along with the bubble bath liquid I happened to spot next to the shampoos.
Back upstairs, I round the corner into the bedroom and my heart stops me in my tracks.
Lila is standing at the foot of the bed, her top and jeans folded neatly on the blanket beside her. The sight of her standing there like that, in nothing more than a bra and a lacy thong – confident, calm, and so fucking beautiful – steals the air right out of my lungs.
“Wow,” I breathe.