Page 63 of Dirty Hearts

“Who’s joking? I’m serious. I want you again.”

Light laughter escaped her lips. “I didn’t think this could be us in ten years.” She smiled, but then she looked down at the water running down my chest, and sadness filled her eyes.

I didn’t need to know what she was thinking to guess what was on her mind. All the years wasted. All the time we could have been together and weren’t. Life for us could have been different in so many ways.

“It’s us.”

“It’s us. I guess we’re different though. Right?”

“Not so much.”

“Your hair’s shorter,” she teased.

“I’m growing it out. I lost a bet and had to cut five inches off.” It was a stupid bet with Alex.

“That’s crazy. Am I different?”

I looked her over and had to say that she was. She was more beautiful than words could describe.

“You just got more perfect.”

She smiled. “You’re just saying that.”

“You know I’m not. You’re perfect, and this is us. Imagine the next ten years.” I said that without thinking. Hyped up on whatever the fuck had taken over my mind since she got here.

I really wasn’t thinking because realistically, I didn’t see her staying with me.

Maybe, maybe if she didn’t have a taste of my dark world. Maybe she’d stay. Maybe if all that other stuff didn’t happen, I could try to keep her with me, but I had no right to even dream it. It really was too much. That she was here now was nothing short of a miracle.

“I was thinking of gaining weight so I may look a lot different in ten years.” The softness of her voice cut into my thoughts, and I looked at her. “Kelly makes these amazing cupcakes, and you can’t just eat one. I had six last time and still wanted more.”

“Really?” Please, God, let that be her roundabout way of telling me she at least wanted some part of me in her life.

“Yeah. So, if I look different, remember I gave the warning. I just—”

I pressed my lips to hers, cutting off her words as I kissed her and fondled her tight pink nipples that hardened as I played with them.

“I don’t care how you look,” I spoke into the kiss.

“Don’t you?”

“I don’t give a flying fuck. It’s you I want.” The kiss intensified, and my cock hardened again. “I just thought of something.”

“What?” she giggled.

“You pressed against the glass in the sitting room while I take you from behind.”

“What?”

“Come on.” Before she could answer, I scooped her up and hoisted her over my shoulder.

She laughed and ran her fingers across my back. “Claudius, I’m on top again.”

“Whatever you say, boss.”

* * *

Another wild night that ran straight into the morning followed, and it would have continued if we didn’t pass out from the craziness of our indulgence.