“Really?” Her eyes shine with tears.
“I want Jacob to be a big brother. To give him a brother or sister he can dote on. I know my job will make it hard for me to be here for everything.” I hold her hands in mine, peering down at them as I rub my thumbs over her knuckles. “My dad was usually busy, but somehow, he managed to ensure our family never felt forgotten. That we were his priority.” My eyes flash to hers. “I want to try, Clara. I’ll spend the rest of my days trying to show you how much I love you and Jacob. How hard I’ll work for us. With you, I want to try.”
She jumps into my arms with fervor, then kisses me.
She kisses me with the fierceness I knew she had all along.
Clara’s strong. Resilient. But that side of her dimmed the last few years, and I never want to take it away from her.
She always says I’m there when she needs me. That I’m her rock. But she’s mine. She’s always been the strong one. She just needed a reminder and time to find her way back.
Now, as she wraps her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist, she’s fiery. Confident.
“Dax?”
Clara and I freeze. To our side, Jacob stands in the doorway, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
“Is it morning?” His eyelids are heavy as he tries to peer behind us and out the windows. “It’s still dark.”
I set Clara down, and she rushes to him. “No, honey. It’s late, and you should be sleeping.” She ushers him to his room.
“Bye, Foreman Dax,” he calls over his shoulder.
“Good night, Architect.” I rub my hand down my cheek, over my twitching lips.
After a few minutes, Clara reappears. Before either of us speaks, she grabs my hand and leads me out of the kitchen, up the stairs, and to her room. She locks the door behind her and jumps back into my arms.
I cling to her, vowing to never let her go with every kiss, caress, and touch.
I sweep my tongue along her bottom lip, then dive into her mouth, wanting to consume her the way she’s consumed me.
“I love you,” she whispers against my lips as our teeth clash.
“I love you. Always have. Always will.” I set her on the bed.
Stepping out of my pants, I watch her in the dim light.
She bites her lip.
Her eyes continue to shine.
We completely undress, our gazes locked. Once there are no clothes or secrets between us, I crawl onto the bed, hovering over her. I push her hair to the side and kiss her lips, softly. Lovingly.
Clasping her hands above her head, I trail kisses along her jaw, down her neck, across her breasts. I take my time with her to show her my love. To let her feel it.
I kiss down her stomach and make my way up again as my fingertips glide down her arms, cheeks, and shoulders, until I cup her breasts.
She gasps, squirming underneath me.
“What do you want?” I place a hot kiss between her breasts as her chest continues heaving. “Tell me what you want, Clara.” My voice is gruff. I fight the urge to rush this. To have her. To find relief.
But I remain as collected as possible and savor these moments.
“I want you.” She squirms again, reaching for me. “I need you.”
Still holding her breasts, I gently bite her nipple, then move to the next, continuing my slow, carnal assault.
She moans, and her feet kick out from under me as her hips buck.
I pin her down, wanting nothing more than to worship her entire body until I die happily with a smile on my face.
“Dax… yes… please,” she breathes.
Her body hums.
Hot.
So sexy when she’s like this.
I bite down again, then trace my tongue around her hard nipple.
She reaches between us and wraps her delicate hand around my length, positioning it where we both need it most.
“I can’t… I need…” she mumbles, pushing her hips up.
Wet.
Quivering.
I ease into her, groaning at how perfect she is. Always perfect.
“Clara.” My voice strains as I try to hold back.
Her eyes flutter open, and she licks her lips, ready for me.
“You and me? This?” I place her hand on my chest. “This is forever.”
Her agreement is lost between us as I slide into her, filling her to the hilt. I pull out and thrust again, plunging into her like I’m finally coming home.
Clara’s my home.
My future.
My family.
She clings to me, panting, mumbling incoherently, and I cradle her head in my hand, tangling my fingers through her hair.
Another thrust.
Another moan.
Skin against skin.
My next thrust rattles the headboard, and it makes me want to pound my chest. This woman is mine. I spent years with a line between us that we could never cross, but Clara’s mine forever now.
Soon, I’ll give her the ring, so everyone else knows it too.
“I love you,” I whisper, and her eyes fly open as her body trembles beneath mine.
I watch her come undone.
Free.
Captivating.
Having Clara this way is as satisfying as the sun rising over the ocean. Vibrant. Special.
I rest my forehead against hers and bend her leg at the knee for a deeper angle.
Warm.
Tight.
I thrust one, two, three more times and let go.
I let go and collapse.
She kisses me, holding on to me like I’m her world as she is mine.
Fuck, I’m glad I never gave up on us. For years, I thought it would be so much easier for me if I could rid myself of my feelings for her. How much better my life would be if I wasn’t in
