Alicia

His hot tongue swipes my flesh, leaving a sizzling trail behind. He explores every inch, every part of me, feasting on me like I’m his dinner.

I’ve lost count of how many orgasms I’ve had, Gabe’s sole focus on pleasuring me. Worshipping me.

It’s heady and delicious, and I can’t get enough of this man.

We sneak back and forth between each other’s apartments like wild teenagers running off in the night. It’s thrilling and fun, and I hope years from now, we’re still over the moon for each other.

Gabe slides in deep, and I groan. Finally.

It’s been his mouth and hands for the past hour and while I’m not complaining, I was dying to have him inside me.

I never want to be apart from this man again.

He’s my rock, my world, my everything.

I run my hands over his wide shoulders, squeezing his biceps lightly as I trail my fingers down. Gabe moans, his mouth covering my own as he rocks into me, each thrust deep and slow. “I love you so much,” I whisper before biting his shoulder playfully.

He yelps but grins down at me. “You’ll pay for that.” He slams into me, balls deep, and I cry out. “I love you so much, A.” He slows down before slamming into me again. His tortuous cycle continues until we both ride our orgasms, our bodies depleted.

We drift in and out of sleep over the next several hours before finally dragging our asses out of bed to fill our bellies with food.

I’ve never been so fulfilled.

What more could I ask for?

* * *

It’s funny how life happens. One minute it’s peaceful, easy, undisturbed. Then an event happens or you meet someone and your entire life course has changed.

I’ve learned to live in the moment, to enjoy the little things, and to not worry so much. It’s not all a walk in the park. I still sometimes doubt my relationship with Gabe. It’s not that I don’t trust him, but it’s a deep-rooted way of thinking I’ve held onto for a very long time and now I’m trying to let go. To adapt and bend.

Not every day is easy, but every day I’m happy at some point, even if it’s short-lived. It’s still there every day, living and breathing inside me. Deep down, I believe it’s my mother’s spirit. She’s guiding me, leading me through life with support and the comfort of her presence.

At the same time, the sadness waits in the wings, for some days it rears its ugly head, but I deal with it in the moment and try not to let it affect my entire day.

Gabe has opened up in ways I could’ve never imagined.

The hardest part has been fully accepting and trusting him.

I’ll never forget the night he bared his soul to me.

We’d gone to dinner, a delicious steakhouse in the heart of Brooklyn. We decided to go for a walk and ended up on the Brooklyn Bridge, looking at the stars over the water, our hands clasped together.

“Alicia,” Gabe said before stopping and pulling me flush against him.

My breath caught in my throat, the butterflies picking up speed. He pulled my face to his and pressed his mouth against mine. I melted into him, losing myself in the kiss. When he broke away, our breaths mixed together and his words washed over me.

“I want to explain everything.”

I nodded, ready for anything. I didn’t care what he’d tell me. I’d love Gabe and accept what he told me. Besides, by then, I’d had a pretty good idea of what he did after everything that had happened.

“But, Gabe, before you begin, I think I’ve figured your job out.” I smiled, and Gabe chuckled.

“Yeah, I know. It’s not hard when you see me with a huge group of FBI agents and police. But what I want to tell you about is my family. Why I had to leave you when your mom was dying. It wasn’t just because of my job.”

I blinked as I tried to process his information. “I thought you left because of something with work back home?”

Gabe sighed. “It was something back home, but not for work. Listen, I need to explain my past and my family.”

He went on to tell me his entire life story as we sat on the bench at the end of the bridge. He spoke for an hour, telling me about his childhood with his mother and how everything fell apart the day his parents were murdered. I held his hand and listened to every word he gave me. My heart broke for him that night when I realized how much pain, how much hardship he’s gone through.

That night changed us. It was a turning point for us and our relationship, and I knew we’d become stronger from it.

It’s one thing when life throws you punches, but when those punches come from your own family, it’s a whole different ball game. My life, my childhood, was in no way as painful as what Gabe went through, yet when I confessed my own life story that night, he listened and supported me like I’d been through worse than he had.

The once cocky and rude guy had turned into my best friend who truly had a heart of gold underneath his rough exterior.

He’s now more open and honest, and his mood has improved, which works in my favor since the man loves to wine and dine me.

If it were up to Gabe, I’d have my ass parked on the couch while he did everything. Cook, clean, wait on me hand and foot. And while I appreciate how sweet he is, I can’t sit still. I’ll go nuts. I have to get up and move around.

“A?” Kayla calls, interrupting my thoughts.

I stretch my legs and stand up from the chair. I’d been reading out here on the patio, enjoying the heat and sun.

“A!” Kayla gushes as she slides the patio door open. She steps outside and hurries over to me. “You’ll never guess what happened to me today.”

I pretend to rack my brain and tap my finger on my chin. “Hmm, let me guess.”

Kayla rolls her eyes in a joking manner. “You’ll never guess.”

“Something at school maybe? With a boy?”

Her face flushes. Bingo.

She started school a week ago and loves it so far. I just hope it stays that way.

“Dylan asked me out.”

My eyes go wide. “Dylan? The Dylan Neves?” This boy has a nickname and fan base already.

Kayla nods. I smile and pull her in for a hug. I may not like that boy or agree with this shit he does, but I’m not going to insult him for my own satisfaction when Kayla clearly likes him.

“When’s the big date?” I ask into her hair, wanting to hold on to her a bit longer.

“This Saturday. Can you help me pick out a dress?”

“Of course, love.”

She squeals in delight and runs to her room.

I laugh and shake my head as I watch her.

It’s the little things.

* * *

Three months later…

Christmas vacation has arrived and the three of us took off to my mom’s house for a few days. It’s nice to get away for a bit and relax.

We celebrated the holiday in the city with Ruby and Gabe’s cousin Ava. It was nice having us all together.

“Almost there, babe.” Gabe takes my hand, giving it a squeeze.

The drive has doubled in length from the snow and crappy weather conditions. I’m antsy and need to stretch my legs. I’m looking forward to my mother’s huge, king-sized bed, the mattress spacious.

Gabe pulls in the driveway, and Aunt Mel’s car is parked there along with another car I don’t recognize. The house is glowing with light, including sparkling Christmas lights. Of course Aunt Mel had to decorate. She loves Christmas.

“Whose car is that?” I point to the one I don’t recognize.

“Oh, that’s Mia.”

“Mia? What’s Mia doing here?”

“She wanted to see Kayla. She misses her. And you.”

I smile. I miss Mia too and the shelter. All of the women and girls are unique and special there.

Kayla’s oblivious, her music blaring in her ears. I tap her knee, and she smiles.

We pile out of the car, Gabe grabbing our bags from the trunk. Before we reach the door, Aunt Mel opens it wide, her excitement radiating off her. “A!”

We hug and kiss, and I introduce my aunt to Kayla. Gabe brings up the rear, Aunt Mel hugging him awkwardly.

Inside, Mia sits on the couch, sipping tea. Her face lights up when she sees us, and she jumps up from the couch. “Alicia, Kayla!”

More hugs and kisses. Twenty minutes later, we sit and talk. Kayla gushes about the city, her school, her boyfriend. Gabe doesn’t like that subject too much, but he holds his tongue.

After an hour of catching up, Mia pulls a big envelope from her purse. She smiles and glances between us. Aunt Mel and Gabe don’t say a word, only watch my every move.

“Go ahead. Open it, A. It’s a thanks for volunteering at the shelter and making those women feel good.”

My hands shake as I slide the envelope open, carefully removing the pages. My eyes scan the front and immediately fill with tears.

I keep reading as the tears fall, one hand covering my mouth. I look up at Mia, and she’s smiling through her own tears.

Gabe’s hands slide around me, pulling me close to him, to his warmth.

Kayla’s beaming as she watches me. “It’ll only ever be you,” she whispers, and I cry harder.

I have all I could ever want now.

I have Gabe.

My mother’s spirit lives within me.

And now, I have the adoption papers for Kayla.

I feel complete.