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CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

I notice her wobble slightly, so I take a step forward, wrapping my arms around her. "Are you okay?"

"I didn’t expect you to walk in."

"I came to tell you something."

"What?"

"We can talk about it later. Why were you staring at the tub like that, looking upset?"

"I’ve been dying to soak in it, but I’m afraid to risk it."

I carry her back to the bedroom and sit her on the bed. Then I pull my T-shirt over my head and step out of my jeans.

Alexis’s eyes go wide. "What do you think you’re doing?"

"Fulfilling my woman’s wish."

"I’m not your?—"

"Yes, you are. I don’t care how long it takes you to admit you’ve always been mine, but we both know it’s true. Now let’s get you in the bath."

"I’m not getting in the tub with you."

"I’m not going to pounce on you, if that’s what you’re thinking, Alexis."

"Then what are you planning?"

"To keep you safe and protected while you enjoy warm water and some bath bubbles."

I don’t wait for another protest. I walk into the bathroom, fill the tub with water at a pleasant temperature, then add the bubble bath liquid.

Anyone watching me now would think I’m completely calm—but it’s all a lie.

Just one look at the bulge in my boxer briefs—something I’m sure she noticed—is enough to prove otherwise.

When I came into her room without knocking, I’d only meant to invite her to dinner at my brother’s place. Seth is dating someone and thought it’d be easier to introduce Alexis in the company of another woman.

My parents have also been pressing to meet her, but I haven’t told them about Sedric yet. I wanted to talk to Alexis about it first. They know I’m in a serious relationship with someone from my past, but I haven’t mentioned our son.

Not in a million years did I expect to walk in and find her almost naked in the bathroom. It took everything I had not to take her right there.

I go back to the bedroom and she’s still sitting in the same spot. Instead of scooping her up like I want to, I hold out my hand.

"Like the first time," she says.

"What?"

"At your cousin’s house, you reached for me like this. I knew it meant you wanted me to be sure of what I was doing."

"Because I knew I was the wrong man for you."

"You still think that?"

"Maybe. But the moment I kissed you on that beach, I knew I wasn’t going to walk away."

"Because you always take what you want?"

"Because I’ve never wanted anything more in my life."

She takes my hand—and without me asking, as soon as we reach the bathroom, she slips off her bra. But when she tries to remove her panties, they get stuck halfway down her legs—and I know it’s because she still can’t bend fully.

"The nurse usually helps me with this," she says, blushing.

I don’t say a word. I kneel and slide her underwear the rest of the way down, completely undone by the scent of her pussy.

"You don’t have a scar here," I murmur, placing my hand just above the strip of hair over her sex—because I have to touch her somehow.

Alexis shudders. "Sedric was a natural birth."

I look up at her from below—and her nipples are already hard and begging for attention.

Calling on every ounce of self-control I have, I lift her into my arms and step into the tub.

I settle her back between my thighs, and when she moans at the feel of the warm water, my already hard cock turns to steel.

I need to focus on anything other than her naked, perfect body pressing against mine—so I grab the sponge and pour liquid soap over it.

"I can do that myself."

"Let me," I say, hovering the sponge in the air.

She gives a slight nod—and the moment I touch her, even with the sponge between us, her body trembles.

I wash her gently—but I can’t resist leaning in to suck and nip at her earlobe as I press the sponge between her thighs.

"LJ . . ."

I drop the sponge into the water and slide my fingers to her clit. The touch is soft, giving her time to stop me—but instead, she spreads her legs farther apart.

I circle her clit with my thumb and slide my middle finger inside her. She tries to lift her hips, to chase the friction—but I slip my free arm across her chest, holding her steady.

"You’ll tell me if you feel anything off?"

"I’m not in pain. Don’t stop."

I fuck her with my fingers until she can’t bite back her moans anymore. I feel her pulsing around my hand—and when she tells me she’s going to come, I quicken the pace.

The moment her orgasm crashes over her and she cries out my name, I whisper, "Mine. Always have been. Always will be."

She’s still limp in my arms when I carry her to the bed.

"LJ . . ."

"I’m not done with you yet. I want your taste on my tongue."

I know she’s not fully recovered yet—and we can’t go all the way—but God help me, I’ll give her as much pleasure as her body can take.

Her skin is wet, soaking the sheets—but I don’t care. I don’t want her sleeping here anymore. Her place is with me—in my bed.

For a month, I played the gentleman. I didn’t push. I waited for a sign—and tonight, during dinner, I got it.

Every night, when I got home from the hospital, I’d pause at her door—listening for any sound, aching to go in and hold her while she slept.

That’s how obsessed I am with Alexis. I would’ve settled for just holding her.

But now . . . I need more.

I gently part her legs. I should take off my boxers—I’m making a mess on the floor—but I don’t trust myself to be naked around her. Besides, this isn’t about me. It’s all for her.

I drop to my knees and pull her to the edge of the bed.

Spreading her open, I latch onto her clit.

The first flick of my tongue against her nerve bundle makes her body quake—and my control teeters dangerously.

She’s dripping onto my mouth, and I want more—so I replace my mouth on her clit with my thumb because I need to be inside her somehow.

I thrust my tongue deep into her tight, pulsing core—fucking her with it, drinking her in, addicted to her taste.

She whimpers—and I devour her.

Her pussy lips are swollen from how hard I’ve been sucking her. I feast on her like she’s my last meal.

I trap her clit between my teeth, and she moans loudly, spreading her legs even more without needing to be told.

I grip her hips and suck her hard—and she comes beautifully, spilling into my mouth.

I swallow every drop. And even though I’m desperate to give her another orgasm, I know we have to stop.

Alexis lies still, her eyes closed.

I stretch out beside her. "Let me prove to you that you’re mine."

"A few minutes ago, you didn’t seem to have any doubts about that."

"I don’t. But you do. Be mine. Come back to me."

"And will you be mine?"

"Didn’t you hear me when I said I never left that house, or that weekend, Alexis? There’s no one else I want. It’s only you. It’ll always be you.”