A little cluster of freckles—three to be precise—across the left side of her collarbone reminds me of Orion’s Belt. I move down to kiss there before going lower to her nipples.
Taking the pink bud between my teeth, I gently clamp just enough to tease, causing her back to arch. Another trick I’ve learned with her.
But as much as I want to take my time, I can’t resist. Grabbing her wrists, I drag them higher on the bed. The first thrust is a warning. A fire flickers to life in her eyes, challenging me. I kiss her sweetly and then place another on the corner of her mouth before whispering, “I’m sorry. I can’t hold back with you. I need to be buried as deep as possible inside you.”
I push in so hard that her body jerks higher on the bed. I steal the gasp that threatens to leave her mouth and start fucking for pleasure, for pain, for her, and for my own satisfaction. Her nails scratch against the headboard as I rise higher over her and fuck with intention. “I’m going to make you come so hard.”
“Jackson.” My name falls from her mouth in a plea as her wrists wriggle free. Holding my head, she bounces against me, my thrusts taken and then her body leaving mine as she seeks her release. “I’m so close, babe.”
I thrust faster and then slide my hand between us. She’s so wet for me already that I run my finger through the slickness and start working her clit. Fuck my release. A promise is a promise, and I’ll keep the one I just made.
Her legs squeeze around my middle as I pump in and out of her. Her hands leave me and rub over her tits. Fuck. I can’t fight against the sight of her touching herself. “Come for me.”
I feel the constriction around me just before her body trembles. Closing my eyes, I keep fucking her until it’s too much for me to hold on any longer. I fall into my orgasm right after her, my body giving her every ounce of how I feel for her.
She fucking owns me.
But I fucking own her too.
When the electricity that zaps all my energy subsides, I turn, placing my lips to her ear. “You’re mine. You understand me, sweetheart? You’re mine, and I’m yours. There’s no one else anymore.”
Dipping her head, she brushes our cheeks together and tightens her arms around me. “Only us,” she whispers.
“That’s right. Only us.”
18
Marlow
“I’m nervous.”
Jackson pulls me to a stop on the sidewalk outside Nick and Natalie’s brownstone. With our arms stretched between us, he asks, “Why are you nervous?”
I step closer, finding it hard to keep any distance from him. “Because I’m friendly with your sister, but that was when she thought I wasn’t dating her brother.”
“I’m confused. Why would Natalie not like us dating?”
I watch a car drive by, unable to express why my stomach is twisted. When I look at him, into his caring eyes, and the way he holds my hand, I know I’m not escaping this conversation about my fears.
He pulls me until we’re wrapped around each other. Looking down at me, he says, “It doesn’t matter if Natalie approves. None of their opinions matter when it comes to us being together. But if it makes you feel better, I prepped her ahead of time and sent a text.”
“Jackson?” I don’t even know what I’m asking. I don’t know if I feel prepared to face the family this soon after we made a commitment.
His hands are under my coat, holding my waist. There’s not an ounce of disappointment, only sincerity in his eyes. “If you want to go, we’ll go. Seriously, Marlow. I don’t want you to feel pressured like you’re having to perform or be someone else. That’s not what this should be. We can always come another time when you’re ready.” He smiles, and in the shadow of a family gathering, there’s such a boyish charm, something lighter, more playful today than usual.
I can’t be responsible for taking that away from him.
Leaning toward the steps, knowing he’d never let me fall, I tug him with me. “Come on. Let’s go visit the family.”
He knocks on the door but then enters the code and opens it. I step inside the large home. I’ve been here a few times over the years. Natalie St. James, now Christiansen, is an amazing woman. Independent but lives for her family. A smart businesswoman who created her own empire when she decided she didn’t want to go into the family’s brokerage business. She's a sensational party planner involved in so many great causes, from supporting the arts to helping children in need.
She’s perfect and one of the few people who makes me feel a bit of a failure in life. That’s not her issue. It’s mine. On the upside, I love when I get to see her because she’s always inspiring.