Page 19

19

AMELIA

“No, I’m totally serious, we had to call the fire department and everything,” Dane says with a wide grin as I laugh so hard my stomach hurts.

I shake my head. “Sounds like you have your hands full.”

I can’t remember the last time I felt this good. I know the two glasses of wine helped, but so did the trip to the cabaret. I can’t remember the last time I watched something that wasn’t Cocomelon or Bluey.

And it was a comedy, which made it even better. The drinks, the food, the company…it felt good.

I felt like me. The me I was before my life was turned upside down.

Dane chuckles as he sets his hand on the small of my back, guiding me gently to the door. He glances at me from underneath his eyelashes. “I would walk you to the door and kiss you good night, but you kind of live here now. For the time being anyway, so…”

A soft laugh escapes my lips, but then there’s quiet pause as we hit the porch. His hand is still on my back, my skin warm where he touches me. I’m acutely aware of how hot I suddenly feel and how fast my heart is beating.

I shift my position, looking up at him. He gazes back at me with reverence and dare I say…longing. Like he’s afraid one wrong word or one wrong move will shatter our perfect night.

Part of me thinks we should turn around and pick up Lyla, even though it’s late. Her grandparents hadn’t agreed to an overnight initially, and though Dane called them and asked—with them on speakerphone—if they’d be okay keeping her overnight so I could get some rest, I still feel strange leaving my baby with people overnight even if they are technically family.

But there’s also a part of me that wants nothing more than to grab Dane Rose by his throat and kiss him until I can’t breathe.

He blinks for a moment and starts to unlock the door.

“So what’s stopping you?” I ask, and his hand freezes as the key clicks.

“What?”

“What’s stopping you from kissing me good night, right now?”

He stands up taller, his gaze soft. “I?—”

I take two steps forward and grab him by the throat. I gently pull him down, and he stumbles a bit from the surprise, but the minute his mouth meets mine, he relaxes, and so do I.

His hands come to settle at my waist and he kisses me. Slowly.

I pull him against me, and we stumble backward until my back hits the door, which swings open, dragging us both in rather ungracefully. I laugh a bit through our kiss and he does too, but he doesn’t stop. He pushes his tongue into my mouth and his hands slide from my waist to my ass, and then he picks me up.

It doesn’t feel weird or complicated when I wrap my legs around his waist, or when his mouth finds my jaw, my neck. It doesn’t feel wrong in the least when I let out a deep moan from my chest because God, his mouth feels so good I don’t want him to stop.

But then I remember where we are. And who else might be here.

And the last thing I want is for things to become more complicated than they are right now.

“Dane,” I breathe, and he stops. My arms tighten around his neck as he holds me still against the door, and for the briefest moment I can feel his hardness, twitching against my heat.

“What about the others…” I say, not wanting to destroy this perfect moment, but needing to reel myself in.

“Richie’s out. Car’s not here,” he breathes heavily. “Tripp has class late on Tuesdays. He usually goes out afterward. Probably won’t be home until after midnight.”

“Lyla?” I ask, my voice creaking.

“Is with her grandparents all night.” He looks at me with wistful eyes, his cock pressed against the mound of my jeans, his kiss-swollen lips reminding me how plump and soft they are against my mouth, my skin.

My heart races in my chest, my fingers squeezing his neck just the slightest, seeking grounding, seeking permission.

“It’s just you and me, sweetheart,” he says softly. He swallows, hard, his gaze drifting from my mouth to my eyes. “If you want me to stop, I?—”

I shake my head. I don’t want him to stop. Not one bit, I just?—

The words don’t make it out of my mouth before I crush my lips against his again. He sucks in a breath, his fingers squeezing my ass where he holds me.

“Please don’t stop,” I tell him. That magnetic feeling in my chest, in my pussy, in my freaking bones, ebbs and throbs with desire, with need.

When I pull away and look at him, it’s startling. I think on some level it will always be startling, staring at the face of the man who ruined me, but also staring at the face of the man who found me.

They’re the same face, but they are not the same person.

Dane kicks the door shut before going back to my mouth, and I press myself against him, tightening my grip around his waist. He carries me to the couch where he sets me down, and I pull him close until he’s on top of me.

Our kisses are hot. Heavy. His hands rove over me as his hardness presses against me and I let my fingers trail over every inch of him. My fingers work on unbuttoning his shirt while his hand settles on one side of my throat and his mouth sucks on my neck on the other side.

“Dane,” I sigh, my eyes falling shut. Everything feels hot. His lips, his fingertips. My aching pussy which is already slick.

“Amelia.” His voice is dark but sweet. The way he says my name is like a wish, or a prayer.

His mouth finds mine once again as I slide his shirt off, running my hands over his solid chest, over his abs. His bare chest is warm, hard. My fingers splay over his pecs as I let them move down and feel every inch of his hard-earned muscles. When they trail over the waistband of his pants, he gasps.

“Do you want me to stop?” I ask, his body tensing beneath me. “Is it too much?”

He shakes his head, leaning in to kiss me hard. “No,” he breathes. “It’s not enough.” He presses his erection against me, groaning as he buries his head in my shoulder. “Fuck, Amelia, I just?—”

The tone in his voice is still so full of lust, but there’s something else there. Something deeper. I pull his face up, looking at him with question. “What? What is it?”

My heart pounds in my chest, wondering if I’ve said the wrong thing, or perhaps it’s just me. Perhaps it’s the fact that I’m his twin’s ex. Perhaps it’s the fact that I still haven’t shed the twenty pounds I gained before I had Lyla.

Perhaps it’s?—

Dane looks at me with that reverent gaze once more, reaching his hand out to stroke my cheek. His thumb moves over the soft skin there as his dark eyes implore me.

“I just don’t want to lie to myself or to you anymore,” he says softly.

“Dane…”

His gaze holds mine like a prisoner. I couldn’t look away if I tried.

“I never stopped wanting you, Amelia. From the first time I saw you in that stupid bar, I have wanted you.”

His words cut through my skin, muscle, and bone. They settle in my soul. I lose myself in those words. In his eyes.

Because not even Dex spoke to me with such conviction.

Dane’s words aren’t fabricated. They aren’t some practiced line, not smooth talking designed to get me into bed. They are true.

And maybe it’s the alcohol, or maybe it’s that for the first time in a long time, I feel like myself. Here, with Dane in my lap. But the words fall out of their own accord.

“I never stopped wanting you either, Dane,” I say. “You have no idea how many times I wondered what if ?” I close my eyes. “What if Dex didn’t show up that night?” My words are a whisper.

Tears beg to build in my eyes, and I don’t want to ruin this.

But I fear I already have.

His hand settles on my jaw as he turns my face to meet his. “Amelia, look at me.”

I open my misty eyes, finding his dark gaze.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t wonder what would have happened if I’d asked you to leave. Right then and there,” he says. “It’s the biggest regret I have.”

“Dane…” My voice falters and I can hear the sob in it.

“Dex isn’t here,” he says softly. He closes his eyes before opening them and I swear this man can see down to my very soul. “But we are, Amelia.”

He kisses me softly and I can’t deny the depth in his kiss.

Dane kisses me like I am the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Like I am everything. To him.

“We are here,” he breathes against my lips. “I know things are complicated.”

I can’t help but laugh through a faint sob.

“But all I’m asking is for you to give this a chance,” he says, his gaze full of so much love it’s hard to refute.

Dane Rose is in love with me.

He’s been in love with me since that night nearly two years ago.

He never stopped loving me, from afar.

Suddenly all the texts, and the memes, and the little calls make sense. He would have loved me from afar forever, I think. Never breathed a word, because that’s not who Dane is.

He’s honorable. Pragmatic. Loyal.

But he’s right. Dex isn’t here. He was never here , in my heart.

I’ve always wanted Dane.

I’ve wanted Dane since that night too. I just didn’t realize it, befuddled by the charisma of a man who looked just like the one I wanted.

“Give me a chance, Amelia,” he breathes against my lips. “Give me the chance to be the man you and Lyla deserve.”

I kiss him without question because if I don’t, I think I’ll start crying.

I kiss him hard. I slide my hands up his neck, my fingers slipping through his soft locks as his hands settle on my hips once more. He pulls me back onto the couch, his thumb stroking my cheek as we sit up. Dane kisses me slow. His tongue caresses mine and his soft groans in my mouth ignite a fire within me. Or maybe I’d just forgotten the embers were still there.

They never left.

“Oh, Dane…” I sigh. I stare at him for a moment, this man who’s always had my heart.

Who kept it safe for me.

And suddenly, nothing else matters but the feel of his mouth, his tongue, his fingertips. Our kiss turns heated, our hands tugging at one another’s clothes, and it’s a mad rush to get undressed. I need to feel his touch, his kiss, everywhere.

I need Dane. I think I’ve always needed him, but stupidly I thought it was Dex I needed.

“Are you sure?” he asks as his lips travel down my neck. His fingers gently stroke my breasts, my hips, until they rest on my ass.

The overwhelming desire to feel him everywhere is intense. I kiss his jaw, his neck, his chest. My hand finds his cock with ease, and I run my thumb over his slit. He’s warm and wet, and knowing it’s because of me only fuels the parts of me I thought I’d lost.

He fills my hand perfectly. I steal a glance, biting my lip as I take in the sight of him like this, before me. Naked, with all those pertinent muscles on display. His thick cock in my hand.

I grin, because he may be identical to Dex in some aspects, but there’s one big difference.

Now I know why Dex had to be such a smooth talker. Clearly he was overcompensating.

Dane chuckles a bit as he leans back into the cushions. “Like what you see, Amelia?” he asks curiously, a light laugh escaping him.

I can’t help but nod. “Very much,” I say.

He smiles, grabbing me by my ass and pulling me closer. Close enough that just the tip of his cock brushes against my sensitive folds. The moan that escapes me does nothing to quell my appreciation.

But he doesn’t settle me on his cock. Instead, he flips me onto my back so fast I yelp. Before I can get a word out, he’s got my legs around his neck and is driving into my heated core with his tongue.

I can’t help but think of the last time I was on this couch, with someone else’s tongue between my legs. The thought should deter me. Should make me feel bad, or remorseful.

But it doesn’t. It only makes me groan as I think about how Tripp made me come. Twice.

How close I’d been to sucking his cock.

But those thoughts disperse when I feel my orgasm start to build as Dane licks me like I am truly his favorite dessert.

“Dane…” I feel my orgasm pummeling toward me like a freight train.

“Please,” I cry. “I need more, I need…”

He pulls his mouth from me, and I whine in defeat, but soon enough he settles on top of me, dragging his cock through my slick folds.

“Tell me what you want, Amelia,” he teases me, thrusting against me but never pushing through. It’s maddening.

Who would have thought Dane Rose was such a tease?

Not me.

“Dane…please…” I buck against him, seeking his friction. I don’t miss the boyish grin on his face.

“Tell. Me,” he says, kissing me once more. I can taste myself on his tongue and it’s confusing. It’s not terrible, but also, it’s strangely hot.

He presses his tongue against mine as he continues his onslaught of torture. The sensations building inside of me are too damn much.

I’ve never been much of a dirty talker in bed. Dex wasn’t really into that sort of thing, and the partners I had before I met him weren’t exactly the most vocal guys in bed.

And none of them ever asked me what I wanted. Asked me to tell them my desires.

I thrust my hips up against him as I breathe against his lips.

“You know what I want,” I tell him. “I want you. ”

Dane kisses me, hard, whispering against my mouth, “Then take me, Amelia. I’m all yours.”

I lift my hips to meet him, using my hand to guide him to my aching hole. I’m so wet that he slides in with ease despite being bigger than what I’m used to. But the minute he bottoms out, I feel like I’m going to come.

“Oh my God, Dane…” I breathe as my head falls back on the couch. He doesn’t move, just breathes heavy. “I need you to move,” I say through my rapid breaths. I need to feel him everywhere.

“Fuck, Amelia, I don’t know if I can.” The desperation in his voice is evident. “You feel too good,” he breathes as he kisses me again.

I thrust up against him and he moans. The sound is by far the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.

“Please,” I beg. “Please, Dane…”

His thrust is slow and he grits his teeth. “I’m gonna come if I move,” he says through heavy breaths. “I want you to come first.” He sighs, moving one hand between us. His thumb flicks my clit and I practically levitate off the couch, taking him to the hilt.

“Oh my God!” I call out, wrapping my legs around him. I thrust against him as he strokes my clit. “That feels so good,” I tell him. I feel so full right now.

Everything feels so intense, and my orgasm pushes forth. My breaths come in heavy and fast. “Dane, I’m close,” I breathe. “I’m so fucking close, please…”

His thrusts come hard and fast as he removes his hand.

All it takes is two thrusts to push me over the edge.

“Fuck, Amelia, I’m coming,” he cries as I hit that peak, calling out his name.

I’m lost in Dane. I feel him in every part of me, filling me with warmth, with love, and I grab onto his back, grounding myself. His thrusts slow as he fucks me through his orgasm, my insides convulsing around him.

But the moment of euphoria is short-lived as reality hits me.

His warm cum drips down my legs.

Oh my God. Oh fuck.

“Amelia,” he whispers, grabbing my chin, forcing me to look up at him. Judging by the look on his face, I know he’s realized his error too.

“What the fuck?” Tripp’s choked voice breaks through, and I think I’ve just ruined everything.

I turn to look at him, pushing Dane off of me, and he vacates me. His cum rushes out of me and I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack. Scream, or something.

My eyes meet Tripp’s and I see the pain there.

“Tripp—”

He holds his hand up, glancing between me and his stepbrother.

I am a terrible person. Truly.

“I need a minute,” he says, letting out a breath and turning away. I pick up my clothes, hurrying to dress myself.

“Tripp, wait?—”

“Fuck,” Dane says, running a hand through his hair. “He wasn’t supposed to be home early.” His words make me feel guilty as hell.

“This is your fault,” I hiss as I jump into my jeans.

“My fault?” Dane’s voice echoes with rejection. Pain.

Because of me.

“Yes, you!” I say in annoyance. “You…you…come in and sweep me off my fucking feet and then you tell me you never stopped wanting me and you kiss me like I’m the air you breathe, and then you bury your sweetness into my damn soul and break my walls and?—”

“Amelia…” he says, getting up as I move away.

“Don’t!” I say, holding my hand up. His eyebrows furrow. “I let you come inside me!” I hiss. “I should not have, we?—”

“If you’re worried about getting pregnant?—”

“No! We are not having this conversation right now!” I say. My head is splitting, my heart pounding, and I still feel him dripping out of me.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

“I need to talk to Tripp,” I say before taking off down the hall.