Page 25

Emmanuel's hands move from my face to my shoulders, his touch gentle but firm. "I know. And it was the biggest mistake of my life. I thought I was protecting you, giving you a chance at a normal life. But I realized I was just running away from my own feelings."

I shake my head, overwhelmed. "Emmanuel, I... I don't know what to say. This is all so sudden."

He takes a deep breath. "I understand. I'm not asking you to make any decisions right now. I just... I needed you to know the truth—that I care about you, deeply. That I want to be part of your life, if you'll let me."

I look into his dark eyes, seeing the sincerity there. Part of me wants to throw caution to the wind and fall into his arms, but another part, the part that's still hurting from his departure, holds back.

"I need time," I say finally. "This is... a lot to take in."

Emmanuel nods, a mixture of hope and resignation on his face. "Of course. Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready to talk."

He starts to step back, but I reach out and grab his hand. "Wait," I say, surprising myself. "I... I don't want you to go. Not yet."

A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "What do you want, Clodagh?"

“You,” I whisper.

His wide smile makes my knees go weak. “Let your friend know that we’re leaving.”

I turn to see Jen watching us, a smirk playing on her lips. I raise my hand and wave to her.

“See you tomorrow, Clo!” she shouts as Emmanuel slides his arm around my waist.

The past eight months have been hard trying to get over him, and now he’s back and I don’t know if I’m making the right decision. But it feels right, and at the moment, that’s all that I have to go on. My gut.

It takes us twenty minutes to get to his apartment, and I’m nosy as hell as I look around it.

I know he must have dropped a small fortune on it.

Apartments this close to the city center are expensive and Emmanuel doesn’t rent, he buys—his words, not mine.

I should be a little freaked out that he purchased a home where I am, but I’m not. I find it sweet.

As I wander through the spacious apartment, taking in the sleek, modern furniture and expansive windows overlooking the city lights, Emmanuel watches me intently.

"Do you like it?" he asks, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

I turn to face him, still processing everything. "It's beautiful," I admit. "But, Emmanuel, this is... a lot. You bought an entire apartment just to be near me?"

He steps closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "I told you, Clodagh. I want to be part of your life. I want to make up for the time we lost."

My heart races as he closes the distance between us. His hand comes up to cup my cheek, his thumb gently stroking my skin. "I know this is fast," he murmurs. "And I know you need time. But I'm not going anywhere. Not again."

I lean into his touch, closing my eyes. The rational part of my brain is screaming at me to slow down, to think this through. But my heart, my body, they're singing a different tune.

"Kiss me," I whisper, opening my eyes to meet his intense gaze.

Emmanuel doesn't hesitate. His lips capture mine in a searing kiss, full of passion and promise. I melt into him, my arms wrapping around his neck as he pulls me flush against his body.

The kiss deepens, and I feel myself getting lost in the sensation. Emmanuel's hands roam my back, leaving trails of fire in their wake. When we finally break apart, we're both breathing heavily.

"Clodagh," Emmanuel says, his voice rough with desire, "we should slow down. I don't want to rush you into anything."

I shake my head, my fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. "I've waited eight months, Emmanuel. I don't want to wait anymore."

His eyes darken with lust, but he still hesitates. "Are you sure? We can take this slow if you need?—"

I cut him off with another kiss, pouring all my longing and desire into it. When I pull back, I look him straight in the eye. "I'm sure."

That's all the confirmation Emmanuel needs. In one swift motion, he lifts me up, my legs automatically wrapping around his waist. As he carries me toward the bedroom, I can't help but think that this birthday turned out better than I could have ever imagined.

The second we’re in his bedroom, he’s slowly undressing me, his gaze filled with heat as he takes in my body. I feel a little self-conscious. I’ve never done anything like this before.

“You’re so fucking sexy,” he says thickly.

My breathing deepens as he continues to look at me with hungry eyes. “Emmanuel,” I whimper.

“I’ve got you, baby,” he tells me. “Go lie on the bed,” he instructs, and I swallow hard at his command. I hurry to the bed. The anticipation of what’s to come makes my stomach flip, but there’s also a little fear mixed with it.

I lie down and watch him strip, his muscles taut and his cock thick.

He prowls toward me, his gaze predatory. He sinks to his knees at the foot of the bed, grabbing a hold of my ankles and pulling me toward him.

I arch off the bed when his tongue swipes against my folds. I cry out, loving the pleasure he’s giving me. I gasp when he pushes a finger inside of me. He’s pleasuring me with his mouth and fingers, worshiping me like I’ve never felt before. I’m a puddle of mush, my body heated and ready to climax.

“Please,” I plead with him, grinding down onto his fingers, needing to come.

He adds yet another finger, and that’s all it takes for me to shatter. I come long and hard, my pussy clenching around his fingers, crying his name as I do.

I watch through hazy eyes as he withdraws his fingers, bringing them to his lips and tasting me. I gasp, loving that he’s so free.

“I’m going to fuck you now, Clodagh,” he tells me. I can only nod, my breathing choppy.

He climbs onto the bed and his mouth slams down against mine. I moan as his tongue slides into my mouth.

“See how good you taste,” he says as he slams deep inside of me. “Fucking amazing.”

I cry out. The pain of him breaking my cherry hurts like hell.

Emmanuel freezes, his eyes widening in realization. "Clodagh," he says softly, "are you... Is this your first time?"

I nod, biting my lip as tears spring to my eyes from the sharp pain. Emmanuel's expression softens and he gently strokes my cheek.

"Oh, baby," he murmurs. "I'm so sorry. I should have asked. We can stop if you want."

I shake my head, wrapping my arms around his neck. "No, I want this. I want you. Just... go slow?"

Emmanuel nods, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "Of course. I'll take care of you. I promise. Let me know if it’s too much or if it hurts."

He begins to move, slowly and carefully, watching my face for any signs of discomfort. The initial pain gradually subsides, replaced by a building pleasure that makes me gasp.

"That's it," Emmanuel encourages, his voice low and husky. "You're doing so well, baby."

His thrusts get deeper and harder. I can feel my body climbing higher and higher as I reach for my climax.

Emmanuel twists his hips and pounds into me. I cry out, loving the pleasure that spikes through me. "Clodagh," he groans, "I'm not going to last much longer."

I pull him closer, wanting to feel every inch of him. "It's okay," I whisper, "I'm close too."

With a few more deep thrusts, I feel myself tipping over the edge, crying out Emmanuel's name as waves of pleasure wash over me. Emmanuel follows soon after, burying his face in my neck as he finds his release.

"Are you okay?" he asks softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

I nod, feeling a little overwhelmed but incredibly happy. "More than okay," I whisper.

Emmanuel carefully pulls out and lies down beside me, gathering me into his arms. I snuggle against his chest, unable to keep the smile from my face. Never in a million years did I think this would be how my birthday would end.

"Happy birthday, Clodagh," Emmanuel murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

I snuggle closer to him, a smile playing on my lips. "Thank you," I whisper back, my eyes heavy as sleep starts to pull me under.

I just pray that he’s true to his word and this is what he wants. I don’t think I could survive him walking away again.