Seeing his face sent me into an emotional tailspin. I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t keep seeing him like this. It made everything hurt more.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, stunned at his appearance out of nowhere.
He took in a shaky breath, then spoke in a quiet voice. “Amelia, I’m in love with you.”
I blinked, gasping softly.
Love?
My pulse quickened. I couldn’t speak. A swirl of emotion made its way up from my chest and got caught in my throat, preventing me from speaking.
Nathaniel stepped one foot closer, this time his voice louder and clearer. “I’m in love with you. Deeply, madly in love with you. Everything about you–your big heart, your compassion and kindness, your selflessness. I love your sense of humor and your quick wit, always keeping me on my toes. Your dreams and your ambitions. I love your beauty, and your grit and determination to do the right thing. Your sweet, soft side. I love you when you’re strong, and I love you when you’re hesitant, because it means you care. I love you so much, Amelia, and I want to be with you. I choose you as my family. You, and our baby. During these past few months, you’ve become my everything, and I’ll face whatever battle, whatever conflict that comes my way, no matter how difficult, in order to stay by your side. I will fight for you, Amelia. For both of you. For all three of us.”
He took in another sharp breath, then exhaled, shuddering, overcome by emotion.
“If you’ll have me, of course,” he said softly.
I felt like I was dreaming. It was a love confession so sincere, so heartfelt, more romantic and grander than I had ever imagined. How could I turn him down after a speech like that?
I rushed into his waiting arms, and felt his strong embrace circle my body, protective and safe.
“I love you too,” I said, nodding, my heart full, a smile growing on my face. The widest I had smiled in days.
Nathaniel’s lips opened into a great big grin, his dimples melting my heart and his words soothing my soul. “I’m the luckiest man alive, then.”
I laughed, relief and joy flooding through my veins.
This felt right.
Nathaniel felt like home.
I wasn’t going to keep punishing myself for loving him. I couldn’t stop myself from being with the man of my dreams, not even to protect my father. He would have to come around; he would have to see how much Nathaniel and I loved each other, and that would be all there was to it.
My dad would accept us, eventually. I knew he would.
Nathaniel and I stood there, embracing, as the mist turned to a drizzle. He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine, kissing me softly and tenderly. The rain may have been on its way and the drizzle getting us wet but kissing the man I loved made it feel like the sun had just come out.
“I’ve got the apartment to myself tonight,” I said when we pulled away to breathe. “Let’s go upstairs.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” he said, a crooked smile forming on his face.
I took his large hand and laced my fingers with his, and we walked down the sidewalk, up the staircase, and into my apartment.
Chapter 28
Nathaniel
Amelia led me inside and down the entryway, kicking off her sneakers. I copied her, leaving my shoes where they landed. She was looking back at me and giggling as I followed her to her bedroom.
The apartment she shared with her sister and roommate was spacious but homey. Amelia’s room was the furthest bedroom down the hallway, with a small, private bathroom attached to it.
By the time we got to her bedroom, I was hungrier for her than I had ever been.
Amelia pulled the blinds down, and the room grew even darker, only the twinkling string lights providing anything to see by. I walked up behind her and slipped my arms around her waist, placing soft kisses on the back of her neck, pulling her close. Stray strands of chestnut hair had fallen out of her ponytail, silky soft and curled slightly from the drizzle outside.
She hummed as I kissed and caressed her, squeezing her waist and hips, stroking her body and running my hands underneath her sweater up to her lace bra. Her gorgeous breasts fit perfectly in my hands, and she let out a light moan as my thumbs circled over the lacy fabric covering her nipples.
“Nathaniel,” she whined softly, arching her back and pressing her rear into my hardened cock which was straining desperately against my pants.