We lay panting, holding each other for several long moments. It had been months since our last time, but nothing had changed. It was still as hot and breathtaking and beautiful as always. At last he slid out, holding me close in his arms and kissing my lips, gently parting them so our tongues could curl together. I smiled against his mouth, holding onto him, loving all of these pleasing sensations, basking in the afterglow of us together, reunited.
He rolled onto his back, pulling me against his chest and sliding his fingers down my back, tracing the lines in the way I loved.
“I missed you so much,” I whispered. “It was terrible to be apart for so long.”
He bent his elbow to place his hand under his head. “I felt the same way,” he said with an exhale. “Every day, I would stare out the windows for the longest time wondering where you were, what you were doing. If you were happy, if you had made up with him. If you even thought about me.”
My eyes grew damp, and I reached up to trace a finger down his perfect nose. “I did something very similar.”
He lifted his chin to kiss my fingertip. “You did?”
I nodded. “Only I took it a step further. I would to go your company website and gaze at your picture. You’re so handsome in that suit.”
He smiled and changed our position, rolling us over and looking deep into my eyes. “I was afraid I’d become obsessed,” he said softly. “Your blue eyes haunted me, and the way your voice cracks when you say my name when I’m inside you.”
A wave of pleasure rushed through me at his words. He kissed the little hollow where my collarbones came together. “I still have your necklace,” he said, lifting his head to look at my face again. “I hope you’ll take it back.”
“Do you have it with you? I’ll put it on right now.”
“Yes, but stay here with me.”
He moved to his side, and I snuggled close against his chest. His arms tightened around me as a deep sigh of satisfaction left his lips. Then he kissed the top of my shoulder.
“Melissa,” he said, and the note of concern in his voice caused me to lean back and check his expression.
A line pierced my forehead. “What?”
He cleared his throat and looked down, then he pressed his lips against mine briefly. “I want to say this. It doesn’t have to be tomorrow, but I need you to know—”
“What is it?” Concern tightened my chest. I had no idea what he needed me to know. I was afraid it might have something to do with the time we were apart. Maybe something he’d done?
He smiled at my expression. “I’m glad you look so worried, I guess.”
I pushed back on his shoulder, sitting up in the bed. “If you don’t finish that sentence…”
He rose to a sitting position beside me, catching my hand and pulling the back of it to his lips. “I want more than a week this time,” he said, his voice turning gentle. “Much more.” He paused and then held my gaze. “One day soon, when you’re feeling whole again, I’m going to ask you to marry me.”
My heart turned to liquid. “What?” My voice was a high whisper.
“I know,” he quickly added. “You’re just out of a bad marriage. You were married to a major league asshole. The ink isn’t dry on your divorce papers. I’m not asking you for anything right now… But I will.”
Tears clouded my vision. “And I’ll say yes.”
A smile broke across his face, brightening his beautiful blue eyes. He kissed me again, and I caught his cheeks, holding his lips against mine, opening my mouth and finding his tongue.
He kissed me again, longer, and I pushed him to his back, straddling him as I kissed his lips again and again. The heat was growing between my legs, and his palms scratched against the skin of my thighs, gently rising to my butt. My mouth broke from his and I let out a groan. “I want you again,” I laughed, breathless.
He caught my hips and guided me down as he slid inside, filling me completely. We were off, and I couldn’t stop smiling at the prospect of a lifetime together. Him with me, surrounding me, in me. Sharing everything.
And instead of pulling each other down, we’d be setting each other free.
“One request,” I said, placing my palms flat on his chest.
“Oh, god, anything,” he groaned, thrusting deeply.
His ravenous desire sent a wave of electricity through me. “I want to honeymoon in the desert.”
“Done,” he breathed, threading his fingers into my hair and pulling my mouth back to his.