“Don’t think about that. For now, just concentrate on your finals and Christmas shopping.” I rubbed one hand down her back before cupping her ass. Giving it a firm squeeze, I pressed my lower half into her. “Think about this, Kitten. And how good I’m going to make you feel.”
She let out a little mewling sound that went straight to my cock, making it twitch against her. “Brax.”
“Now that you’re eighteen, we don’t have to hold back. I can kiss you and touch you and hold you as much as you’ll let me.” I kissed the corner of her mouth, causing her to gasp in pleasure.
“I never wanted you to hold back,” she moaned. “I’ve craved you, Braxton. Your kisses, your touch, your arms around me every night. But I thought you didn’t want me.”
I skimmed my nose down her neck, inhaling her scent and causing her to shiver. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean for you to think I didn’t want you. I was just trying to keep myself in check so I didn’t fuck this up for us.”
Her fingers combed through the short hair at the back of my neck, holding me to her. “I want you so much right now…but, could I have a shower first?” she asked shyly.
I lifted my head. Seeing how pink her cheeks were, guilt filled me. “If I’m going too fast for you, let me know. I’ll slow down for you, Nev. Just say the word, and I’ll give you whatever you need.”
“You’re not going too fast,” she said with a tiny smile. “If anything, I think this is long overdue. But I need a girl moment. Give me half an hour, tops. I want everything to be perfect.”
“Then take all the time you need.” Sitting up in her bed, I leaned back against the headboard. She jumped to her feet then paused on her walk to her bathroom, glancing at me over her shoulder. “You’ll still be here when I get back, right?”
“I’m going to grab a quick shower in my room, but I’ll be right here when you come out,” I promised with a grin. “Go, Nev, before I decide to join you in there. I’m not sure you’re ready for that yet.”
With a yelp, she ran into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Laughing softly to myself, I waited until I heard the shower turn on before getting to my feet. I walked out of her room just as Mia was coming down the hall toward her and Barrick’s
room.
“She okay?” Mia asked, her face pinched with concern for her cousin.
“She’s showering now,” I told her evasively.
“I called her parents to let them know we made it back okay.” She grimaced, turning green. It was a color that was becoming a normal shade for her face. “I think I’m going to go take a nap. Don’t wake me up for dinner.”
“Got it. Get some rest. I’ll take care of Nevaeh,” I assured her.
A sly grin teased at her lips. “I bet you will.” But then the grin turned serious. “You need to tell her about the whole Darcy thing.”
“I will,” I muttered, not wanting to get into the whole situation with my parents and ex yet.
“Soon, Brax,” she warned.
“I said I will, Mia,” I told her frustratedly, scrubbing a hand over my face. I needed to shave the scruff off my jaw so I didn’t scratch Nevaeh.
“I just don’t want you to leave it too long. Nev is really vulnerable right now. This crap with your family and that Darcy bitch could end badly. I don’t want Nev to get hurt when she doesn’t have to be.”
I blew out a tired sigh, knowing she was right. “I’ll do it soon, I promise. Just not today, okay? We have other things we need to figure out before I bring up that bullshit.”
She nodded. “Yeah, okay. I’ll let you figure it out on your own.” Walking around me, she opened her bedroom door, and moments later, I thought I heard her moan of contentment.
This pregnancy was wearing her down already, and I hoped the whole morning sickness thing didn’t last long. I hated seeing her unwell. It made me feel helpless because there was nothing I could do to make it better for her. Just like I couldn’t do anything to take away the pain and heartache Nevaeh was feeling over her dad.
Groaning, I went to my room. After shaving, I took a quick shower and was back in Nevaeh’s room before she even turned off her own shower. Sitting on the edge of her bed, I sat there waiting as nervousness swamped me for the first time.
I hadn’t had sex since the accident that had cost me my leg. Fuck, until I saw Nevaeh, it was like my dick didn’t care if it ever saw any action again. From the first moment I set eyes on her, however, it had been paying just as much attention to her as my damn heart had.
Now that I was about to get the girl I’d been craving for over two years, my hands were sweating like it was my first time. Part of me wished it were. That this moment with Nevaeh was my first experience, because I fucking knew she was the one for me.
From the bathroom, I heard the water turn off, and my cock throbbed, tenting the material of the basketball shorts I’d pulled on after my shower. A short time later, the door opened, and she walked out, wrapped in nothing but a damp towel she clutched to her body like a shield.
All my nervousness evaporated, replaced by all the need and hunger I’d been unable to release because I wanted to make sure this thing between us was done right. Her long dark hair was still slightly wet and hung down her back in sexy waves. Her blue-gray eyes blinked at me, reminding me yet again of a curious little kitten as her gaze went straight to my bare chest and skimmed over my ink.
Standing, I walked toward her, not in the least bit self-conscious about the prosthesis showing under the shorts I was wearing. Nevaeh had never made me feel less for having lost my leg. It was like she didn’t even see my disability, and that was only one of the thousands of things I loved about her.