Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ava

My workday ends at two, so I stop by the store to stock up on some ingredients for homemade baby food. Darcy’s probably going to bring a bunch with her, but I want to feed Mia something I’ve made with my own hands. My slim purse is full of printouts of recipes I found online.

As I carry the groceries to my apartment, I think about what Bennie told me while we were in Osaka. Mia’s real identity simply cannot be kept secret forever, especially if Lucas and I are going to be together. He has the right to know, and to keep him in the dark when he’s going to see her—and my foster parents—would be completely unfair.

The problem is how to tell him. There’s no manual on how to drop a secret baby bombshell on your boyfriend. I think he’ll understand why I had to do what I did, but it’s not something you just blurt out over dinner or after sex… Or at least I don’t think so.

Not to mention I have no idea how Lucas feels about children in general. He seemed nice and sweet enough with Mia, but does he actually want a child? Is he going to be resentful that I gave her away or relieved that he won’t have to be a father? The only thing I’m pretty sure of is that even though he called children “interesting” that one time at the bed and breakfast, “interesting” isn’t really what he thinks about them.

When I open the door and step inside, I almost halt at the sight of Lucas sprawled on my couch, a tablet resting in one big palm. He’s in a white T-shirt and a pair of long, loose lounging pants, his feet bare. I tilt my head. He looks entirely at home and ridiculously comfortable.

“Welcome home.” He gets up and takes the groceries from me. “I thought work ended at two,” he says, as his lips brush over mine. “I was literally dying waiting for you to return.” He sighs dramatically, the back of one hand at his forehead.

I laugh. “It did, but I had to get some stuff for tomorrow. Ray and Darcy are arriving.”

“That’s right. I forgot.” He places the bags on the counter in the kitchen. “You know…we’re sort of stuck for Thanksgiving, but do you want to go someplace more fun for Christmas?” He hands me the beef and chicken.

I blink, taking the meat and putting it in the fridge. “Like where?”

“I believe I mentioned Paris at one time…”

“You were supposed to kidnap me,” I say with a smile, even though I’m wondering about his use of the word “stuck.” “Are you uncomfortable seeing Ray and Darcy again?”

He shrugs. “I don’t think they like me. They probably prefer that I stay away from you.”

“No, they don’t.” I put a hand on his bicep. “The only thing they care about is that I’m happy, and I’m very happy with you.”

A small smile lightens his face. “I can’t possibly make you half as happy as you make me. But my real worry is for them to tell you to ditch me and you doing exactly that.”

“Lucas. I’m an adult now, and I make my own decisions. Really.”

“Okay.” He hands me the last perishable item from the grocery bags. “So, Christmas…?”

“Can we spend it with our families? Please? We can leave immediately after and go wherever you want for New Year’s.”

Lucas’s gaze sharpens. “Anywhere?”

“Yes. Even a racy lingerie factory.”

His head tilts back and he bursts out laughing. “Don’t remind me of the trauma. I never want to see white cotton underwear again.”

“I thought you looked pretty hot in them.”

“Ha! You never saw me in any of them. You kept me naked…and busy.”

I giggle. “I believe our decision on the activity was mutual, and you never once complained.”

“I’m a man of silent perseverance. And an endless hunger for you.” He pulls me closer, his hand at the small of my back. A thick erection presses against me.

All humor leaves me. My senses are replete with him. Need throbs through me, a persistent aching emptiness only he can fill.

My hands clutch his broad shoulders as I raise myself and kiss him. He slants his head, devours me as though he’s starving. It’s like we’ve been apart for months.

Hunger drives us as we pull at each other’s clothes. Lucas’s shirt comes off first, immediately followed by mine. Smooth skin stretches over his well-muscled chest, dark hair springy under my palms. His nipple ring glints in the light, and I can’t resist toying with it. He inhales sharply, and I give him a wicked grin. “I love that thing. It’s so fun.” I flick my thumb over it. “But most of all, I love it that I’m the only one who can touch it.”

“You’re the only one who owns this body. Owns me.”

My bra drops to the floor at my feet. “I know. And you’re the only one who owns my body…and all that I am.” My voice is almost shy. I’ve never thought I was much of anything, but this man… He makes me feel like I’m the center of the world, the axis of his universe. When he looks at me, I feel powerful, beautiful and fulfilled.

“Ava…” He groans. “You slay me.”

I tug at his waistband, and he strips out of his pants and underwear at the same time. I kick off my flats and ditch mine, too.

Fully nude, we look at each other. I don’t try to cover myself—the stark admiration in his gaze says I shouldn’t. And in return, he doesn’t try to cover his scars, for which I’m grateful. Some might see them as flaws, but to me, they’re just part of him and as precious as the smooth skin on his torso and tight butt.

His big cock juts out, the tip glistening. I lick my lips, wanting a taste.

“Don’t,” he warns, his voice raspy.

“Why not?” I say. “I love it when I have you in my mouth and you groan deep like you’re going to die if I stop sucking.”

He almost chokes. “You dirty, dirty girl. Yes, I would like that, but not right now.” He places me on the edge of the breakfast table. “I’ve been thinking about this…”

“This…?”

“Yes.” He slips his hand gently between my legs. I’m indecently soaked, but I keep my thighs relaxed and watch him touching me, my breath shallow.

“Feel how wet you are.” He licks my juices off his fingers. “Do you get wet thinking of what I do to you?”

“Yes.”

“All I have to do is think of your name, and I’m hard.” He reaches into his pants and pulls out a condom from the pocket. “I smell your shampoo, and I feel like I can build a whole damn house with just my dick and some nails.”

My heart pounds unbearably, my breathing so shallow I feel like I’m going to hyperventilate. This man kills me because when he talks like this, it’s like he has no barriers or protection. He’s so raw and naked that I’m humbled by his trust, his love.

“But most of all, when I think of you, I want to find a way to make you happy. I crave your happiness, and I want to be the one to give it to you.”

“You do,” I murmur. “You’re everything.”

I gasp as he glides smoothly into me, the stroke long and unhurried. His eyes are on mine, his hair pulled away. I caress his cheeks, loving how he leaves himself so vulnerable.

“When we were apart, I had a dream about you,” I whisper.

“Was I being a jerk?” He pulls almost all the way out, then slowly re-enters me.

“No. I was kneeling in front of you because your very presence was as vital to me as the sun is to flowers. And at that moment I knew I’d never get my heart back. Even if you were to give it back, I’d never be whole because my heart was meant to be yours.”

“God, Ava,” he groans as he drives into me so deep I feel like he’s reaching for my soul.

His big hands grip my hips as I hold on to his shoulders. Our gazes are locked as he thrusts over and over again, uniting us in the most intimate way possible. Sweat mists over our hot skin. Liquid pleasure pulses through me, and I dig my fingers into him. A climax shatters me, leaving me breathless. I tighten and spasm around him as another orgasm peaks.

His breathing grows choppy, and the muscles in his jaw bunch. I brush my fingers over them. “Now, now, now…” A low groan tears from his throat, and he flicks my clit as he shoves into me, hard and thick and relentless.

We come apart together. He kisses me on the mouth, swallowing my sharp cry.

Arms around each other, we stay there against the table until our breathing is somewhat calmer. We’re both sweaty, sticky, but I don’t care. I run my mouth along the lean, strong line of his shoulder, grateful I didn’t give up and that he’s all mine.

“I never knew it could be like this until you, Ava,” he whispers and presses a soft kiss on my forehead.

“Me either,” I whisper back, tightening my arms around him.

Lucas is my rock, the foundation of my world. I’m never, ever letting go.