“So am I. I met Ava, my best friend, at the shelter, though, and my fill-in parents really are great.”
“The positive still doesn’t help. It shouldn’t have happened.”
“No, you’re right, it shouldn’t have. But it did, and I just try to move on and be grateful for every day. Like, look at this.” She smiles, and it cracks my chest wide open.
I realize how this would feel to her and I just want to do so much more. She deserved better. But this also makes me even more proud of her for working so hard and getting her fresh start here.
“I’m really glad you like it. I just want to make you happy.”
“You do, well, except in the car. I’m frustrated at that.” She grins.
“It will be worth it.”
“I don’t know about that.”
I chuckle.
She sips her drink, so I do the same, and then ask, “Do you miss home?”
“I miss my friends and the familiarity. But the adventure and self-discovery I’m having here outweighs anything.”
I smile and take another drink, draining my glass. “Good, because I don’t want you running back there.” I reach over to touch her face, and when she leans in, I kiss her. Her wine-tasting lips are so drugging.
“I won’t. I love this city,” she breathes against my lips.
We kiss again before we sit back, staring lost at each other.
The food and more drinks come, interrupting our moment. We pick at the pizza and nachos. Between having our new drinks and music softly playing in the background, I want to have her close to me.
“Do you want to dance?”
“Like slow dance?”
I smile broadly. She is so innocently cute. “Yeah.”
She shrugs. “I’ve never done it, but how hard can it be?”
If we’re talking about my dick, it’s rock hard. But I keep that thought to myself.
We stand and close the distance between us. My hand slips into one of hers, and the other wraps around her middle. While she holds on to my shoulder, I lead her around. She is soft and somber in my hands, and we dance effortlessly. Even though she’s never done this before, she’s a total natural. Or is it because we are together and everything with us is just so easy? I hold her gaze as we move. At some point, my face moves closer, and I lean my forehead on hers. I just breathe and soak in every second.
“This is incredible. To have you here in my arms was never something I thought would become real. But here you are, and I couldn’t be any happier.”
She pulls her face away from mine and tilts her head back, gazing up at me with a warm smile and a shimmer in her eyes. Her hazel eyes are so much brighter. And I’m so happy it’s me who is putting it there.
“I’m so glad you walked into my life.”
Chapter 23
Gracie
Thetriphomebecomesa rush of tangled limbs and passionate kisses. We manage to keep each other’s clothes on during the drive back, but I sat on his lap and ground myself along his erection the whole way. The friction on my throbbing clit eases the pain, but as soon as I stop, the ache intensifies. I need him inside me, filling me. Now.
Arriving at his house, he grabs my hand, and we enter with a quick swoop. As soon as the door closes, he pins me to the back of it. The cold wooden door feels amazing on my heated body.
Little grunts leave my throat as his rough kiss captivates me. I’m losing my damn mind, and he’s all calm. I need a little control, so I try my best to unravel him. I suck on his tongue and as he growls. Letting go, I take a bite of his bottom lip as I pull back. His eyes hold me hostage with a feral look, and I smirk, knowing I did that to him.
“Fuck.” He lets out a groan before speaking again. “I’ve missed your hot mouth.”