let go, it’s officially open season for baby-making. I’m happy to marry you first but you also know I have no issue with doing shit out of order. If anyone is going to buck the system, it’s me. I don’t think it’s what you want but nothing would make me happier.”
She bites that damn lip.
I pause and tip my head. “Wait. Are you drunk?”
She pulls in a big breath. “No. But who knew there was so much wine in the Commonwealth?”
I slide my hand up the back of her neck and cup her head, my tone low and rough. “Are you fucking with me?”
“I’m not drunk and I’m not fucking with you.”
I exhale against her mouth. “What changed?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing has changed.”
“No,” I grit. “I mean, this is different. You’re different. You know I don’t like secrets, especially from you.”
“I’m not different.” The words fall from her lips with an ease I don’t recognize since I’ve basically had to wring them out of her. “I’m finally being honest—with myself. It’s always been you, Cole. I want everything from you. Every bloody thing you’ll give me.”
My chest tightens and I freeze. I don’t dare move—afraid I’m dreaming or she’ll finally kick me in the figurative balls and take it back. “Everything?”
She doesn’t confirm. Instead, she admits, “It scares me, Cole. And you know I’m not afraid of anything.”
I have to force myself not to grip the back of her head harder than I already am. “Not with me, baby. Nothing to be afraid of with me.”
“But—”
I shake my head. “No. You’ll never give up a thing to be with me. You still want to work—we’ll figure out a way to make it happen. I’ll never make your world smaller, Bella. I want you to have everything because you deserve it. We’ve got a lot of time to make up for and we’re going to start on that soon.”
Her grip on my shirt loosens and she flattens her hand to my chest. It slides up and around my neck before she pulls me to her. This time her kiss is different. Her desperation and need mixes and mingles with my carnal desire, creating a storm ready to burst. I dip my hand between us and flip the button and zipper on her jeans. Not messing around, I dive in to take what’s mine.
So wet.
With our lips still touching, I demand, “Last chance for you to claim a condom, baby.”
Her breath catches. “The only thing I’m claiming is you.”
Fuck.
I stand and yank off my shirt. Her flip flops land with soft thuds against the old, faded floor followed by her jeans, taking her panties with them. Her tank and bra join them as fast as I can make work of the damn clasp. When I finally have her bared before me in all her beautiful glory, I dip my head and press my lips to her scar.
At first, I hated it. It was a reminder of what I’ve come to refer to as hell week—the time in the hospital when I thought I’d lost her for good. And then it happened all over again after the internal bleeding. But since I brought her home, I’ve come to love it. I shouldn’t be obsessed with a mark that represents how she almost died. But I am.
I run my tongue up the fresh, pink puckered skin and continue to her tit. A shiver vibrates over her when I pull her nipple into my mouth and suck. She lifts her legs and her feet go flat to the table, her knees falling to the sides.
“Cole,” she breathes.
“If you were a hundred percent, I’d flip you over and take you from behind. Love seeing your ass on display when I take you.” I nip at her tit and her hips lift, needing purchase on something but I don’t give it to her. “Not yet, sweetness.”
I work my way down her body, pressing on the insides of her thighs. The dining room light over us shines down on her and I take her in before dipping my head.
She moans as I take my first taste.
From her pussy to her clit, I take a hit—feeding my addiction has never been more satisfying than after she’s agreed to give me everything. I dip my tongue inside her, followed by two fingers before I find her clit, swollen and ready.
I swirl it with my tongue and she tries to lift off the table but I grab her ass to