44

NOAH

Scooping her in my arms, ring clutched in my hand, I blink back tears. Charlotte is going to be my wife. She squeezes me tight, and I slide my free hand in her hair, never wanting to let go. And now I never have to.

My body is overwhelmed with emotions. From the roaring rage I had driving home to the woman I love agreeing to be my wife. Every cell is firing off.

“I love you,” I mumble into her hair.

“I love you,” she says, kissing my neck.

When we pull back, I hold up the ring, and she presents her shaky hand. I steady it, sliding the band onto her ring finger. Her eyes bounce back to mine. “I love you,” she says again, and I will never tire of hearing it.

“ Soffione. ” I hold her face in my hands. “I can’t wait to be your husband.”

Our lips crash, the stellar collision finally fusing two hearts as one. “Make love to me,” she begs into my mouth, and I scoop her in my arms. Don’t have to tell me twice. She peppers my neck with kisses as I carry her to our bedroom and set her gently atop the comforter. I tug my shirt off and toss it behind me, then drop my pants and boxer briefs to the floor.

A devilish smirk crosses her lips as her eyes roam me hungrily, the attention dancing across my skin. “My fiancé is so damn hot.”

My smile widens, cheeks aching from how devastatingly happy I am in this moment. “So is mine.”

Charlotte scoots off the bed and stands, eyes holding mine as she drops her shorts and panties to the ground and pulls off her shirt, tossing it at me.

I catch it with a laugh, then chuck it behind me and step towards her. Pretty brown eyes meet mine as I grip her hips, and she loops her arms around my neck. I brush my lips over hers. “I can’t believe you love me.”

“How could I not?” she says, and my heart squeezes. “You’re an incredible partner. And you’re going to be an even better father.”

Her words surround me like a warm summer breeze. I press a gentle kiss to her lips, cheek, neck, and collarbone and drop to my knees, my face at her rounded belly. My eyes flutter shut, and I place soft kisses on the baby I’m finally allowed to call mine. That always felt like mine.

“I can’t wait to meet you,” I murmur against Charlotte’s stomach.

“Hear that, little one?” she says, sliding her fingers into my hair. “That’s your daddy. You’re going to be really lucky to have him.” My soul brightens, her words touching even the darkest parts.

Tears prick my eyes, and I tap my forehead to her hard stomach, the feelings overwhelming me. Kneeling with Charlotte before me, growing our baby, knowing she’s mine. It’s everything I never knew I needed.

After placing one last kiss, I stand. “Lie down,” I tell her, and she grins, the gleam of mischief returning. She hurries onto the bed, resting her back against the pillows, and spreading her legs.

The mattress dips beneath me as I climb after her, and she trembles with anxious energy. I pause over her center and she bites her lower lip, well aware of my addiction to her taste. Hooking her legs with my arms, I grip her thighs, darting my tongue out while her gaze holds mine.

A needy whine escapes her, and I groan, eyelids fluttering shut as her sweetness dances over my tastebuds. I lap and suck and tease, face buried between her thighs while she grips my hair, holding on for dear life.

My excruciatingly hard cock is dripping, and I need to rein it in before I have another pre-ejaculation moment.

“Baby, this feels incredible,” she pants. “But I really want you inside me right now.”

Grinning, I kiss my way up her body, giving extra attention to her stomach, and continue the journey over her breasts and to her neck. Hovering above, I make sure not to put any weight on her. Taking in her radiant face, the only word that comes to mind is “mine.”

I roll on my side beside her, placing a hand over her waist, and she shuffles so her back is to me. One of our favorite positions as of late.

“You’re definitely wet enough,” I tell her, bringing a hand between her legs and reconfirming what I already knew.

She lifts her leg, and I take my cock in my hand, swiping it between her till it’s fully coated. Her soft breaths surround me as I press my tip against her. When I thrust in, she gasps.

“This okay?”

“Yes,” she pants, and I grip her hip, rocking slowly.

“Soffione, ti amo tanto.” I love you so damn much.

“Ti amo tanto,” ? 1 she repeats, placing her hand on mine, and I drop my head to her neck, my chest unable to take another surge of passion.

Our bodies move in rhythm, panting filling the room as I plant kisses along her neck and back. Whispers of bilingual “I love you’s” exchanged on repeat as the overwhelming emotions fill every corner of the room. It doesn’t take long before we’re both sweating, moaning, begging for release, my hand on her stomach holding her to me.

“Mine,” I growl, and she reaches back, nails digging into my skin.

“Yours,” she says with a moan. “I’m yours.”

Ecstasy blasts through me, tingling down my spine. My balls tighten, and I groan, jerking inside her.

Her inner walls pulsate as she cries out in pleasure. We tumble through space and time, finally entering our galaxy together. That special place where only she and I exist in that beautiful celestial dance. The one where we’ll now exist forever.

Our relationship may have been a cosmic collision, unexpected and chaotic.

But there’s not a chance in the universe I’d change a thing if it led me to here, this moment, with my fiancée in my arms and our beautiful daughter growing inside of her.

* * *

BIG STING ENERGY

THEO SCHROEDER

Noah, why was a vase of roses with a football sticking out the top delivered to my house

ELIJAH ANDERSON

two vases, actually

ME

Did you read the note? Share it with the class

THEO SCHROEDER

Hold on

JULIAN LISCERO

i got one too, but no note

DESMOND BALL

i’m at the stadium, did you send your long lost lover one?

ME

Yes, Des. Don’t worry. You too have been spoiled

THEO SCHROEDER

roses are red, footballs are brown, join me in vegas for my final touchdown

DESMOND BALL

excuse me what

JULIAN LISCERO

are you quitting football?

ELIJAH ANDERSON

dude, there’s no chance we’re letting you quit

ME

I’m not quitting football dumbasses

Charlotte and I are getting married after the Vegas game next week

ELIJAH ANDERSON

SHUT THE HELL UP

THEO SCHROEDER

the final extraction of your bro-hood is scheduled

DESMOND BALL

FINALLY i get to see you guys again

JULIAN LISCERO

yooo so we’re poppin bottles before you’re popping bottles. tight

ME

Plane tickets are in your inbox. Coach Porter was informed & agreed since you have a bye week

See you boys in Vegas

And don’t tell Char you’re coming

1 ? IT: Ti amo tanto - EN: I love you