My orgasm grew like the waves outside. Slow, continuous building. Then it crested, the ecstasy so great I cried out his name, gripping him hard. He buried his face in my neck, his long groan of gratification low and satisfied as he climaxed. He stilled and rolled, sliding from me. He pulled me to his chest, breathing hard. We were quiet for a moment, recovering.
“Does that put your fears to rest, Ms. Raven?” he asked.
“It was a good start.”
He chuckled, tucking me closer. “I’m sorry I made you feel as if I didn’t want you, Raven. I always want you. I was trying to give you time.”
“I don’t need time, Damien. I need you. I always need you.”
He pressed a kiss to my head.
“I want to leave the past behind us and move forward. Together. I don’t want what he did to define us. I want us to define us.”
He sat up, and we faced each other. “We do define us, Raven. Our love defines us. However it started, what we have is us. It’s all I want.”
“I love you so much,” I whispered.
He cupped my face. “I love you, Raven. More than I can adequately express. And I want a life with you.”
“Me too.”
“Then let’s enjoy this place and each other. Decide on the future when we’re ready.”
“Do we have to leave soon?”
He smiled. “No. Leo and Egan have it well in hand. I can take a few meetings via Zoom if needed. We can stay as long as you want.” He paused. “We never have to go back if you don’t want to. Matteo offered us a place here if you want that.”
“Really?”
“I’ll show you the spot tomorrow. Or if you want this place as a haven, we can build a smaller house and use it when we need it. We don’t have to decide right now.”
“I’d like to see the spot.”
He leaned forward and kissed me. “Then I’ll take you tomorrow.”
I draped my arms over his shoulders, pressing my mouth to his. “In the meantime…”
He pulled me onto his lap. “I think we need to catch up on lost time. I need you to really know how much I love you.”
“Yes, Damien. Show me.”
* * *