“It’s easier than you might think.” Her eyes drifted to the floor. “I’ve never had anything I cared about that Kate didn’t end up taking from me, and I’m just so scared of that happening again.”
“She can only take those things if you let her.” I reached over and placed my hand on her cheek. “Don’t. You’re an amazing, beautiful, strong woman who is in no way weak or pathetic, and if your sister makes you feel any different, that’s on you.”
“On me?”
“Yeah, you.” I was being harsh, but I needed her to hear what I was saying. “You’re the one giving her the power. Stop doing that shit and believe in yourself. I know I do.”
“You do?”
“Hell, yeah. I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t.”
I leaned in closer, brushed a strand of hair from Marlowe’s face, then lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her tenderly. She didn’t push me away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. My hand fell to the back of her neck, and I gently pulled her closer. A shudder ran through her as she opened her mouth to me, giving me access to delve deeper, and I took full advantage of the opportunity. Our tongues tangled, our bodies tensed, and I knew then one kiss would never be enough. Just as things were starting to get heated, Marlowe placed her hands on my chest, ending the kiss as she pulled back and inhaled a deep breath. As she slowly exhaled, she muttered, “I’m sorry for being a nutcase.”
“Don’t. You have nothing to be sorry about, Marlowe. You let your fear mess with your head, but believe me when I say, you have nothing to be afraid of. You’re fucking incredible, so enough of this bullshit with your sister. Leave the past where it fucking belongs.”
“I’ll try.”
“Don’t try, Marlowe. Do it,” I pushed. “Things don’t change. We do. Make the changes you want in your life, and don’t let anyone stand in your way. Not even me.”
“Okay. You’re right.” A soft smile crossed her face as she whispered, “Thank you for bringing me back to my senses.”
“All I did was give you a little push in the right direction.”
“Well, it’s appreciated ... more than you know.” Her eyes were filled with emotion, but not sadness like before. This emotion was for me—just me. “You know, you’re the one thing I am ... or make that I was most scared of losing.”
Before she could say anything more, I reached for her and pulled her towards me as I lowered my mouth to hers, silencing her with a kiss. It was the best way I knew how to tell her how I was feeling. There was no way I could explain how having her so close set me on fire, making every nerve in my body burn with need. My hand dove into her hair, pulling her even closer as I deepened the kiss. A light moan purred from her throat, urging me on as my hand slid down her back, and it was all I could do to keep myself from taking her right then and there. Before that could happen, there was something I needed to say.
“You don’t have to worry about losing me, Marlowe. I’m not going anywhere. Right here with you is exactly where I want to be.”
With that, she wound her arms around my neck and whispered, “And I want you here. I want you, Rafe. More than I thought possible.”
I lowered my hands to her waist and grabbed the hem of her hoodie, lifting it carefully over her head. Fuck. She looked so damn beautiful. The mere sight of her had my cock turning to fucking steel. Through the thin, smooth fabric, I could see her nipples tighten beneath my gaze. I trailed kisses down her neck as I told her, “I need to be inside you.”
She stood, and I watched with awe as she quickly removed her bra and panties, then laid down across the bed. I let my eyes drift down her body, and her delicious curves called to me like no woman ever had. I stood and made fast work of my clothes, then lowered myself down onto the bed next to her. I wanted to devour and consume her until I was the only thing she could think about. I watched the goosebumps rise along her skin as I began to trace the slope of her breast with my fingertips. She was perfect, every damn inch of her. I didn’t know it was possible for me to feel so strongly for a woman. My mouth moved to her neck, kissing and nipping gently at her soft skin before traveling to her collarbone and then her breast. I rolled my tongue around her nipple and watched with satisfaction as her back arched off the bed, silently pleading for more. I glided my tongue along her stomach ever so slowly, trailing kisses here and there as I settled myself between her thighs. As I hovered over her, she started to squirm. “You want my mouth on you?”