A John Legend song begins to play, and the corner of my mouth lifts, as I bring my eyes to Jamie’s, “Would you like to go up to the suite and have conversations in the dark?”
She lets out a burst of laughter, and it has me staring at how beautiful she looks right now.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Standing up, I wait for Jamie to rise as well before I place my hand on her lower back. As we leave the restaurant and cross the floor of the lobby, I begin to feel the anticipation of spending the night with Jamie.
Waiting for the elevator to come down, she mumbles, “It moves so slow.”
When the doors finally open, I wait for Jamie to step inside first. Following behind her, I swipe my card and press the number for the top floor.
Jamie leans back against the panel, and the sight makes my heart beat faster. I close the distance between us, and taking hold of her hip, I pull her to me. I bring my other hand to her neck and lightly brush over her skin. All the marks have faded from around her throat, but I’ll never forget what they looked like.
My eyes find hers, and the moment is so very different from our first night together. Back then, there was only desire. But as I stare into the blue eyes of the woman that’s become my life, everything feels much more intense.
I no longer only want her. I now need her, because without her my life and everything in it will be worthless.
The doors open, and as we step out, I pull her close to my side, our hands intertwined.
Once we walk into the suite, I shut the door behind us. When I turn my attention back to Jamie, there’s a poignant expression on her face, making her look vulnerable.
“What are you thinking?” I ask, needing to know where her mind’s at.
She lets out a trembling breath, before admitting, “I just realizing what I almost lost.” She takes a step closer to me. “Not being able to smell your scent.” Lifting a hand, she places it against my jaw. “Not seeing you again… touching you.” Standing on her tiptoes, she presses a kiss to my mouth, then murmurs, “I’m so unbelievably grateful that I get to have this moment with you.”
Raising my hands, I frame her face and stare deep into her eyes. “I’ll treasure every day I get to have with you.”
I lower my head and pressing my mouth to hers, I thank the powers that be that my prayers were answered.
Pulling back, I take her hand and lead her to the bedroom.
Removing my jacket, I throw it over the armchair, then I lift a hand to the back of Jamie’s neck. “I want to wake up next to you.”
Smiling at me, she teases, “I’ve been waking up next to you for almost two weeks.”
I shake my head lightly. “I’m not talking about the past. I mean tomorrow and the day after, and every day after that.”
“But I have to go back to school,” she whispers. There’s a puzzled look on her face.
“Am I moving too fast for you?” I ask, not wanting to pressure her into anything she’s not ready for.
“No.” She takes a deep breath and glances down before asking, “Are you asking me to stay here?”
I nudge her face back up so she’ll look at me. “Yes.”
“You want us to live together?” she asks again.
I let out a chuckle. “Yes.”
“Oh, wow, I didn’t expect that,” she admits. “I thought I’d be returning to Trinity after this weekend.”
“Do you want to go back to the dorm?” I ask, trying to brace myself for if she answers yes. I lower my hands from her face as I wait for her to respond.
“No,” she whispers. A playful smile forms around her mouth. “I should warn you, though, I’m messy.”
“We can have them clean the suite daily,” I murmur as I begin to lower my head to hers.
“I don’t have a car to get to classes.”
Lightly, I brush my lips over hers. “No need for one. I’ll arrange a driver for you and your guards.”
“Guards?” she murmurs against my mouth, her eyelashes lowering with desire.
“I’m never leaving you unprotected again.”
She pushes up against me, and her mouth presses harder against mine.
I wrap an arm around her, pulling her body right against mine as my tongue slips into her mouth.
I promise to keep you safe.
The kiss is fast and hungry but then eases to slow and intense, as our breaths mingle.
You are the reason my heart keeps beating.
I intensify the kiss, moving a hand to the back of her head where the gash has healed, but I keep my touch gentle.
Jamie’s the one to break the kiss as she pulls back. She lifts her hand to my chest and begins to unbutton my shirt. “I’ve wanted to do this for a while now,” she admits, her voice soft and filled with desire.