He took a step back.
He looked at me as if he wouldn’t survive without me. I felt wanton. His hand came out and unsnapped the front snap of my bra releasing my breasts, heavy with desire. The bra slid down my arms and landed on the floor. I was completely naked except for my ring signifying I was his.
Another step closer brought us back together. Our breaths mingled as he lowered his head, but kept enough distance to drive me mad. “Do you feel it, Willow?”
“Always.”
His thumb and index finger rolled my nipple, creating the most delicious friction. I jerked at the increased sensation. “You’re sensitive and I can see your breasts are changing.”
“Everything is more intense. Please, Gabe. Please.” At this point, the begging in my voice was a necessity and what decorum I had left went out the window. “I’m ready.”
“You’re almost ready, but not quite.” The scruff of his face brushed against my jawline while strategically placed kisses peppered down my neck.
I closed my eyes, trying to regain some of my senses before I lost control. The feeling of Gabe vanished and I opened my eyes.
He stood two steps back and removed his shirt. The pulse in his neck beat wildly. The reins of control were slipping. Next, he toed off his shoes and unbuttoned his jeans. Going commando allowed him to spring free as he released the zipper. It throbbed with as much desire as I felt.
In the hotel room, sun trickling in from the balcony while we basked in each other only heightened the sensual desire.
As he removed his jeans, my pulse beckoned to be touched and I slid my hand down my abdomen. Almost to my goal, a little gasp left my lips and the last of Gabe’s control diminished. The hunger in his eyes came alive as he scooped me up.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and felt the tip of his cock seeking entrance as our mouths collided. Teeth clashed against each other as our tongues intertwined. We moved in a zigzag pattern trying to get to the bed. I pressed down and moaned when I felt him barely enter me.
“Oh fuck, Willow. You feel so good. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”
I arched my back and his mouth came to my nipple. The biting sensation caused another louder moan to break free from me as our bodies found the bed. His dick pressed a little further in and I grabbed onto his arms, urging him to take me. Claim me. Make me one with him.
“I should prime you more.”
The thought of him withdrawing gave me physical pain. “No, no you shouldn’t. I’m ready. Oh, Gabe, I can’t wait any longer.”
He pushed in a little further and we both gasped. The veins in his neck popped out.
I urged, “More! Please, Gabe!”
My feet dug into his ass, and in one solid movement he thrust inside me, filling me, and deliciously stretched me.
“Best fucking feeling in the world. You okay?”
“Yes, oh yes. Don’t stop. We’ll go slower next time.”
Pulling out, Gabe paused only briefly before surging back inside.
“Yes!”
Our mouths found each other as our bodies synced and became one. Our fevered movements brought a sheen of sweat to coat our bodies as we climbed higher. The world faded away. More thrusting and we were calling out incoherently.
With one twist of his hips, I fell apart as euphoria capsized over me. Gabe stilled as the look of pure bliss covered his face as he found his release in me.
He rolled onto his back and brought me with him and, leaving us still connected while he remained almost hard inside me. “Hell, that was worth the wait, but I never want to go that long without you again, sweetheart.”
“Me, either.”
Lying in bed, our legs intertwined, I basked in the glow of our lovemaking still reeling from the intensity of my earlier orgasm. I looked at my ring glimmering on my finger.
“Why didn’t Dad say anything when I wasn’t wearing mom’s ring?”
“Alex told him it was getting sized and he wanted to surprise you. That was when I think your dad started investigating on his own. I couldn’t tell you this last night or it would ruin my proposal. But there’s nothing else I’m hiding from you.”
There were still unanswered questions that concerned Dad. “I wonder why he never told Trent.”
Gabe shifted beside me. “I don’t know. Neither does Trent. I think he’s taking that part pretty hard.”
I made a mental note to talk to Trent at some point. More peace settled over the room before I said, “I want to get married soon.”
The hand trailing up my back stopped. “How soon?”
Did he want to wait? I doubted it. If I said today, Gabe probably would have someone here within the hour. I thought about our wedding and what I wanted. The bells and whistles of something fancy disinterested me. All I wanted was to move forward from the past and start our bright future together.
“Before we go home. I want to get married where you proposed to me.” I settled my chin on his chest. Gabe’s smile turned radiant and my suspicion was confirmed. He wanted this as much as I did.
“I’d love that. We’ll start planning it tomorrow. Today, is about you and me and nothing else.”
Our bodies shifted as Gabe entered me with an exquisite torture. “There’s no place I’d rather be than inside you.”
My back arched off the bed as he pushed all the way in. “I feel complete when you’re mine.”
And for the second time, Gabe and I found that place we only had with each other.
Three days later
Soon the whole family would descend upon us. Francesca and Marie wanted to help plan the wedding. They had been ecstatic when I handed over everything but the venue—the place Dad proposed to Mom and Gabe proposed to me. But when I told them they had only one week, things kicked into high gear. I hardly heard from them. Even my dress was a surprise, but I trusted them and knew it would be perfect.
Gabe was in the bedroom, finishing his shower. I stepped onto the back porch and found Trent staring out over the hills. For the last few days he’d been unusually quiet. I sensed he was avoiding me.
Hearing me, Trent glanced my way. “I’ll leave you to the view, Willow. I have some work to handle.”
I reached out and touched his hand. “I actually wanted to talk to you.”
His jaw stiffened, but he remained quiet.
“You can’t blame yourself for Dad not saying anything. He trusted you, Trent. He told me so in the letter he wrote me.”
The hurt flashed across Trent’s face as his mask temporarily slipped. I pressed on. “Dad had his reason why he didn’t say anything about the ring. For the last few days I’ve been trying to work through it. But in the end, all I can focus on is he loved me and had my best interest at heart.”
It seemed like I penetrated his armor a little.
“But, Willow, I would have dropped everything to help your dad.”
Grabbing his hand, I said, “I know and Dad knew, too.” With my other hand, I pulled out Dad’s letter. I’d had Carson send it to me. It was the same letter Trent gave me in a sealed envelope the day we met. “Read this. It’s what Dad thought of you. He trusted you, Trent. Give yourself today and then start to heal tomorrow. You have a family now. Don’t hold onto the past. Neither Dad nor your sister would want it.”
His brows scrunched and I added, “We’re your family. You’re stuck with us.”
Without warning, Trent engulfed me in a hug. “I’ll always be here for you. I promise. You’re stuck with me, too.”
I hugged him back. After a few moments, he released me. “I think I’m going to go for a walk.”
“I suggest the spot over there on top of the hill. It was Dad’s favorite.”
Giving me a small smile, he took off across the yard toward the hill with the letter in hand.
I watched his retreating figure, hoping he got the peace he deserved.
“You’re an amazing woman.”
I startled at Gabe’s voice. “You scared me. How long were you there??
?
“Long enough.” Gabe’s hair was still damp from the shower. He wrapped his arms around me. “Everyone will be here in two hours. I just got word from the pilot.” A long contented breath left him.
“In four days I’m going to be your wife. I like the sound of it.”
“Me, too. You’ll be Mrs. Thompson.”
In his arms, I turned to face him and looped my arms around his neck. “I can’t wait.”
Six months pregnant
I stood from my adjustable chair and stretched, finishing the last bit of writing on the wall. As a surprise, I had waited to start painting the room until after Francesca finished decorating it. As the godmother, I wanted this to be my gift to the baby. Something to remember me by forever.
I took a Twizzler from the bag as I took it all in. Hopefully, they’d like it. The babies moved and I savored the moment. Each time I felt them was an indescribable experience with my ever-growing belly.
So far, things were progressing perfectly. The babies and I were both healthy, which I was beyond thankful for.
Making it full-term was my next goal.
I cleaned the brushes before heading downstairs. The cheers from the front room brought me up short. Carson and Gabe goaded each other on who was going to win. Not so long ago, I wondered if I would ever have moments like this.
A month ago Rosie had been convicted to a mental hospital. The trial had escalated at an unprecedented rate. As they took her away, she screamed for Carson to save her. She was truly disturbed.