I’m unable to breathe as my orgasm seizes my body.
Aria wraps her arms and legs around me, and it makes me sink deeper inside her, causing residual pleasure to spasm through me.
We both keep still as we gasp for air, and once we’ve come down from our orgasms, I find the strength to lift my upper body so I can look at Aria.
Her eyes lock on mine, and they’re shining with unshed tears.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her I love her, not just as my best friend, but as a woman. Emotions fill my chest until all I can do is kiss her, needing to express what I feel for her in some way.
Our kisses are gentler as if we’re searching for the answers to all the new questions.
Where do we go from here?
Will we survive this?
Breaking the kiss, I answer the unspoken questions, “You’re mine now. I’m never letting you go or sharing you with anyone ever again.”
Aria nods, and a tear spills over her cheek. She wraps her arms tightly around my neck and holds on to me as if she’s scared I’ll disappear.
“It will always be you and me,” I assure her. “Forever.”
ARIA
Deeply affected by what just happened between Forest and me, I try to regain control of my rampant emotions.
Before we had sex, I was his best friend, willing to experiment with him. Now?
Fear crawls back into my heart because I know I’m irrevocably in love with Forest. Maybe I always have been, and it took this moment for me to realize my true feelings?
But even though I feel safe with Forest, and I know I can trust him, I’m scared shitless that I’ll do something to tear us apart.
“Are you okay?” Forest murmurs, his eyes filled with warmth.
I nod, not ready to tell him how I feel.
“Sure?”
I nod again and manage to force a smile to my lips.
“You’re quiet, and that’s never a good thing,” he calls me out.
“Just overwhelmed,” I try to sum up my emotions. “You know, I just had the best sex of my life.”
“Yeah?” He grins, tilting his head.
“Solid yes.” He’s still inside me, and now that the passion has faded, I become highly aware of how it feels to have Forest inside me, and it dawns on me how perfect we fit together.
My eyes lock on his, and bringing my hands to his jaw, I press a soft kiss to his mouth.
I’m falling in love with you.
Forest’s eyes drift over my face.
I won’t let you fall. You’re safe with me, Aria.
He presses another kiss to my mouth, and then he slowly pulls out of me. I instantly miss how it feels to be connected to him, but needing to clean up, I scoot off the bed and walk to his ensuite bathroom.
I take my time, pushing all the confusing thoughts and emotions down.
I splash some water on my face and pat my skin dry with a towel before I turn back to the door. Then my eyes drop, and I glance down at my naked body.
Ooooh… crap.
In the heat of the moment, I didn’t worry about getting naked, but now that I have to walk back into the room, my insecurities come rushing back.
The urge to cover myself is overwhelming, but I lift my chin and suck in a fortifying breath before I open the door. My eyes search for Forest. He already has his pants on, and sitting down with his back to me, he picks up his shirt.
I quickly dart forward and gather my clothes. Staying behind him, I get dressed as fast as I can. I manage to put on my underwear when he turns to me.
Before things can get super awkward, Forest walks to me and framing my face, he tilts my head up and claims my mouth in a dominating kiss.
That’s the thing about Forest, sometimes he knows me better than I know myself. He’s aware that I’m not comfortable with my body.
When he pulls back, he drops one hand, and his knuckles skim over my nipple. “You’re fucking beautiful, Aria. I love every inch of your body. Don’t feel insecure around me.”
I nod, soaking in the confidence boost his words give me.
Not able to keep my fear to myself any longer, I ask, “We’re going to be okay, right?”
His features soften, and the corner of his mouth lifts. “Yes, we’re going to be just fine.” He brushes some hair from my face, and then his fingers trace lightly over my temple and down to my jaw. “I meant what I said. There’s no one more important than you.” Forest pauses, and then he says, “I love you. Always have. Always will.”
He’s said those words to me whenever I had a bad breakup, or I felt down, but now it feels as if their meaning has changed.