It’s been years, almost two whole decades that I’ve been waiting for Heath to look at me the way he’s been doing for the past couple of days. He’s familiar. I’m used to having him close. My body is trained to keep itself in check when he’s around, even when my heart is pounding like a jackhammer. I should be elated about this next step. I stand frozen, as the reality of what’s about to happen hits me like a lightning bolt.

Everything between us is about to change.

“Are you okay?” he asks, sliding an arm around my waist, locking me against his hard, powerful body.

I shiver as his fingers trail slowly over my face, tracing the lines of my jaw and the curve of my lips, as if he’s studying every inch of me. I don’t breathe or speak, afraid that I might wake up from this dream. My eyes flutter shut as his lips brush mine gently. The heat of his body fires up my insides.

“Lee,” he says my name in awe. “My sweet Knightly Rose.”

He lowers his forehead to mine; I open my eyes, and our gazes connect. “You’re one of the most important people in my world—my life. This, our relationship, matters a lot to me. I’m risking it because I love you.”

“You do?” I ask. I’m shaking under his grasp as I wait for his next move. “It’s too soon, I mean we just started to date—”

“I worked hard to fight my attraction to you.” His eyes move toward my mouth and then back to my eyes. “To bury my feelings for you. God knows it’s been getting harder as time passes. At night, I’ve imagined having mind-blowing sex with you. Thinking about peeling off every piece of clothing you wear until there’s not one barrier between my mouth and your soft skin.”

His mouth is so close to mine that I can feel how intoxicating the warmth of his breath is. I hold my breath waiting for him to kiss me with the sensual hunger he’s been kissing me with for the past couple of days. Instead, his lips slide over my jaw, down to the back of my ear. My breathing becomes erratic as his tongue traces a line to my neck. Everything inside me melts. I hold on to his shoulders as he nibbles the sensitive skin at the base of my throat.

Mouth exploring, hands moving down my body, and the intense gaze undressing me is pushing me to the edge but not soon enough.

He’s taking his time, and I’m impatient for more. His hands, his mouth, his scent and the feel of him. Every cell of my body shakes, waiting for more. I just can’t leave it to him. I tug his long sleeve shirt off exposing his muscular chest. I press my hands over his shoulders running them down his powerful body. Feeling each ripple, swell, and dip of his muscles.

Feeling bold, I snap open the button of his jeans and slowly pull down the zipper. I lick my lips when I realize he’s not wearing any underwear and dare to close my hand over his thick length.

“Lee.” He shudders as I pump it a couple of times. “Please, don’t,” he groans pulling me into a deep, hungry kiss.

He thrusts his tongue inside my mouth, exploring every inch of it. I match his speed and demand more from him.

Without saying a word or moving too much, he pulls off my sweater and the turtleneck I’m wearing underneath. Then runs his hands down my body, peeling my jeans off, and just leaving me with the cute set of black lace I bought yesterday especially for him to see. He presses his mouth between my breasts. Licks one nipple, and then the other, wetting the lacy bra. My nipples are hard like pearls. They’re swollen waiting to be freed and sucked by him.

He stops and grabs my face gently between both of his hands. “I want you so much, are you sure about this?”

“I want you too,” I say, and gasp as he lifts me and sets me on the bed.

Heath moves his hand slowly, traveling from my heel, passing through the inside of my thigh, and stopping right at my core. He runs a finger over the wet fabric of my panties and draws a few circles around it with his thumb. I moan.

“You’re torturing me, Miller,” I complain as he slides one finger through the thin fabric and touches my clit.

“I’m enjoying you before I feast,” he says claiming my mouth.

As he kisses me, his hand slides down my back, unhooking my bra and releasing my breasts. Then, he continues tracing my skin until his fingers meet my hips and he pushes the lacey fabric all the way down leaving me completely naked and at his mercy. His mouth follows, stopping to suck my nipples alternating them as his fingers stroke, explore, and rub my heat.

I grab onto the sheets as a million sensations cascade from everywhere. My breathing is too fast, I can’t focus on anything, and all I can smell is his woodsy aftershave. I feel as if I can’t take any more but at the same time I want him to continue.

His lips move away, and I whimper but gasp as his hands part my labia and he sucks me. His tongue laps me, while he thrusts a finger inside my channel and pumps it fast. My body begins to tremble as he pushes me right to the edge and I soar. I’m at the highest peak of a mountain spent but needy.

He stands up, reaching for the condom he placed on the nightstand. His eyes are set on fire, glowing like a torch illuminating the end of a tunnel. He rolls on the condom, but his eyes barely leave my body.

“Are you ready?” he asks with a soft voice, his blue gaze never releasing me.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

Slowly, he lowers himself down. The head of his cock right at my entrance. Our mouths crash against each other as he fills me slowly with his thickness. He’s careful as he gives me time to adjust to his length.

I close my eyes for a couple of beats and when I open them, he is watching me and says, “Breathe, baby, you’re safe with me.”

I gasp, taking some air before he pulls his shaft out and thrusts back in. This time he doesn’t wait for me to adjust. He starts rocking against me faster, moving with urgency. But it’s not hard, at least, not as hard as I believe he could be doing it. He’s gentle, the way he’s always been with me. Gentle and loving.

“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world,” he mumbles against my mouth.

“I love you,” I mutter, clinging onto his shoulders. “I love you so much, Heath.”

He pumps inside me deeper and harder. We’re becoming an extension of each other. He doesn’t hold back anymore. His movements are raw, primal. We lose control. Our breathing is erratic. Our bodies meld together just as our hearts and our souls become one.

I twist and thrash as my muscles convulse and he’s right behind me shaking on top of me. He groans and thrusts himself even deeper making me come even harder. We are flying high, skyrocketing to the ultimate place.

Heath drops his head on my shoulder, gasping for air just like I am.

“I love you, Lee,” he murmurs almost spent and rolls me around, keeping me in a tight embrace. “I’m all yours. I gave you my heart, now my body, and you own my soul.”

As he cradles me in his arms, we look into each other’s eyes and smile. He kisses my shoulder and rolls over to the other side of the bed, reaching toward the nightstand.

“Knightly Rose Lee,” he says, rising from the bed and bending down on one knee.

He stares at me, holding a red box that contains a gorgeous diamond solitaire ring.

“Heath,” I gasp his name.

“I love that you eat ice cream even when it’s minus twenty degrees outside. I love that you always look after everyone. I love that you welcomed my daughter and loved her as if she were yours. I’ve loved you in many different ways since we were kids. My love for you has evolved as we grow older. I came to New York to convince you that you’re the love of my life. I’m not perfect, but you make me perfect.”

He clears his throat. “Lee, will you marry me?”

“Yes.” I look into his clear blue eyes before I throw myself into his arms. “Of course I will.”