Shani
My hands were braced on West’s powerful chest as he filled me. I couldn’t tear my eyes off his as my smile spread. Having him below me, inside me felt so good. Pleasure coursed through my body, reminding me how much I’d been missing by trying to keep him at arm’s length.
“Hi,” I said softly.
“Hi.” He curled his hands around my hips, rocking me back and forth. “You feel so fucking good, baby.”
“You too.”
“Like we were made for each other.”
“We were.” There was no doubt in my mind about that now.
He closed his eyes, obviously reveling in the intense sensations. That connection between my body and his was inexplicable, especially now that we’d both let our guards down.
“Sound pretty sure of yourself,” he said.
“I’m sure of us.”
He flashed a smile, letting me know how happy I’d made him by acknowledging what he already knew. We were solid… and getting stronger every day. “Glad to hear it.”
I laced my fingers through his and raised his hands over his head. With him, I was able to turn it all off—my sister’s recovery, stress about work, my father—and just be with the man I loved.
I let my body take over, showing him without words how much he meant to me. He released my hands and curled his around my hips, guiding me, showing me exactly what I needed even before I knew. That was how it was with West, how it had always been, except I’d been too blind to see it. This man knew, instinctively, what I needed from him… and myself.
“Ahhhhh…” I braced my hands on the mattress, letting my head hang over his chest as he continued to provoke me with just the right force and friction. The build was slow, which made it all the more potent. Heat curled through my body, licking my skin as the jolt of completion rocked me.
He curled his arms around me when I collapsed on him, my heart pounding against his chest.
“I love you so much,” he whispered.
Those few words gave me a sense of satisfaction no physical release could because they were permanent. No matter what challenges we faced, they would remain true.
“Show me,” I said, leaning on my elbows as my hands curled around his head while my eyes met his. “Show me how much you love me.”
He didn’t give me slow, but if there was one thing I knew about my man, it was that he was unpredictable. He flipped me onto my back, ignoring my squeal of surprise, curled his hands around my knees, and pushed my legs back so I could take him fully. His thrusts were forceful, hitting the spot that made my eyes close as I gasped with the intensity of another orgasm building so soon after the first.
“I will always take care of you.”
I could see how hard he was trying to hold back, and his message was clear—he’d take care of me in and out of bed, always putting me first. I could trust this man. With my heart, my body, and my business. He wanted to be my partner in every sense, and I wanted to let him.
“Come with me.”
We were both fighting the inevitable, trying to stretch it out as long as we could. But there would be so many more nights and mornings to express how we felt about each other. I wasn’t going anywhere, and I’d finally let myself believe he wasn’t either.
He muttered a curse as his muscular body tensed before the flood of his arousal filled me. We were pulsing in unison, it seemed, and he leaned over, wrapping his arms around me as the final tremors gave way to that satiated feeling I loved.
“Be my partner,” I whispered, stroking his damp back. “Let’s open that second office, babe.”
He pulled back to look me in the eye, obviously shocked. “You’re serious?”
“I need you.” I kissed him, smiling against his lips. I knew hearing me admit that would take some getting used to, but it was true and I wasn’t shy about letting him know anymore. “You make my life, and my business, better. You know way more about the business side of things than I do.”
He shifted to his side, facing me as he propped his head in his hand and waited for me to continue.
“So,” I said, lacing my hand through his, “you can do what you do best and I can do what I do best.” I winked at him. “Think about it. We’d be unstoppable.”
“Yeah, but this is your baby.”
“No,” I said, touching my stomach, wondering if we’d made a baby of our own. I wished for that with a ferocity I’d never experienced before. “This is my business. I love it and I know how blessed I am to get to do this for a living. But I can acknowledge my own weakness and recognize your strengths. Together we’re better. It’s as simple as that.”
“You’re sure this is what you want?”
Without even a moment’s hesitation, I said, “Positive.”
His smile was slow, almost reluctant, before he crushed me against his chest. “I love that we’re going to be working together. Building a future together.”
“That right there”—I buried my face in the crook of his neck with a contented sigh—“is even more important to me than building a business.”
***