Taking another sip from the glass in her hand, she nods. “They left right after my wedding. Or non-wedding, I guess.”
She’s told me bits and pieces about their strained relationship. I sense her ditching Warren at the altar wasn’t a decision they’ve stood behind.
“They are coming home, and I need to talk to them.”
I take the glass from her hand because it’s shaking. “You’re nervous about that.”
Her gaze finds mine. I see something in her eyes. I wouldn’t call it defeat. It’s more resignation.
Trailing a hand over her chin, she nods. “I’ve disappointed them in the past.”
“Every kid disappoints their parents.”
She manages a half-smile. “Maybe, but not every kid is a disaster or a walking talking grenade.”
Jesus.
That moves me a step closer to her. “Who said that about you?”
She swallows. “My dad.”
I take her in my arms. “You’re far from any of those things, Afton. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever known.”
Holding tightly to me, she draws a deep breath. “They wanted me to marry Warren. When I left the church, they were embarrassed.”
I get that, but you don’t put that at the feet of a child who makes a gut-wrenching decision that will ultimately make their life infinitely better.
I’ve never met Warren, but I can say with certainty that she didn’t belong with him.
I inch her chin up with my fingertip so she can look into my eyes. “You’re the best person I know. You did what was right for you. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Her bottom lip trembles. “I need to hear them out, and then I have to tell them that I made the right decision. I may not have handled it in the best way, but I did make the right decision.”
“You did,” I say softly. “If you want me to tag along to this meet-up, I’m all in.”
Her smile widens. “You do not want to meet my parents.”
“I do.”
“You don’t,” she argues.
“Afton.” I cup her face in my hands. “When you’re ready for it to happen, I want to meet them.”
Her hand reaches up to cover mine. “That means a lot to me.”
“You mean a lot to me.” I punctuate those words with a press of my mouth to hers for a soft kiss.
Chapter 39
Afton
We don’t make it to my bed before our clothes hit the floor. Luke undressed me as he marched me backward through my apartment toward my bed.
Our kisses drowned out any words either of us wanted to say.
He took my mouth in a fevered frenzy, exploring with his tongue, nipping with his teeth.
“I want you,” he bites out each word like a threat, but it’s not that. It’s a promise. A promise that I’m about to feel his need as savagely as I feel my own.
He picks me up and tosses me on the bed as if I weigh nothing.
Giggling, I roll onto my side.
Luke is there, trailing kisses down my ribcage, over my hipbone, and onto my thigh.
“I’m as hard as nails,” he grunts. “I need to fuck you, but first...”
His hands roll me onto my back before he settles between my legs, pushing me wider to accommodate the breadth of his shoulders.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Afton.” His breath whispers over my core. “This is magnificent.”
I don’t feel exposed. I feel desired and wanted in a way I’ve only ever felt with him.
I tangle my hands in his hair, tugging at him. “Luke, let’s fuck.”
The laugh that escapes him is deep. “No fucking way. Not yet.”
Yearning for more, I raise my ass off the bed. “Please.”
“Look at you.” He blows a breath over my pussy. “So swollen with need. If I take you now, it’ll hurt.”
“It won’t,” I protest with an arm over my eyes. “I’ll come as soon as you’re inside of me.”
“Or as soon as I do this.” He follows that with a long slow lick over my cleft.
I can’t protest because I’m so close already.
“Give me this, Afton,” he pleads in a groan. “I love watching you come. I fucking love everything about you.”
I close my eyes against the assault of emotions and give in to what my body craves; what only this man can give me.
***
“I need to buy more condoms,” Luke announces as he walks out of my bedroom and onto the patio.
It’s almost dusk now.
The day has given way to the cool air that comes when evening settles over the city.
I pulled on a pair of yoga shorts and a T-shirt before I grabbed a blanket and came out to the patio.
I left Luke in bed. He was fast asleep, and I didn’t have the heart to wake him.
We’d spent hours devouring each other.
I’m sore in the very best way and more content than I’ve ever been.
I glance at his bare chest. “Tell me about your tattoos.”
His fingers trace over them even though his gaze is stuck on me. “I got one for my mom, Gaia, and the other for my mom, Irena.”