Page 64 of Loved By You

"Please don't apologize, Ri. You had a lot to deal with."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." His finger lifts my chin so I’m forced to face him.

"Is that all that's on your mind?"

I blink. "What you said last night, about wanting to be there for me, be the one to show me how I should be treated… Did you mean it? Because I think I’d like that...” I say quietly.

“I meant every word Ri.”

Two games of Scrabble in and a whole lot of Chinese food and wine later, I'm losing. We are sat on a blanket on the floor in front of the couch, music echoes around us, as we laugh and try to score points with the most ridiculous words. Jack looks so happy, so at ease as he smiles at me and my chest expands, watching him, the soft glow of the lamps making him look even more handsome.

I know I wanted to take things slow, but something has shifted. He allows me to be me. I don't feel nervous around him. I’m not scared to say how I feel or what I want, and what I want is him.

It's Jack's turn and I watch as he meticulously places down the letters K-I-S-S. As soon as the word registers, my eyes snap to his and track him, licking his lips. Suddenly, the game of Scrabble feels like the last thing I want to be doing.

There’s a shift between us. It’s like all my senses become heightened. The taste of red wine in my mouth becomes fruiter, my heart thumping in my ears and the heat between my legs almost burns. My hands tingle, itching to touch him. But I can’t, not after last night. My pride won’t let me. If he wants me, he needs to make the move.

“Ri,” he says in a throaty gasp.

“Yeah,” I reply, my voice barely a whisper.

He moves closer and we are almost nose to nose. Eyes closed, I can feel his breath on my lips.

"Well, what do you say, sweetheart? Do I get a kiss?"

I nod; it’s all I can manage. I want this, I want him, on me, in me. I want all of him. We've fought this long enough.

“Use your words, Ri.”

The air crackles between us and my mind, body and soul knows this is going to be the time we finally cross that line and go all the way. I’ve craved this for too long.

I open my eyes to find his biceps bulging as he removes his hat and tugs his t-shirt over his head, throwing it onto the couch. I bite my tongue to stop the whimper I’m desperate to release at the sight of his tanned body and six-pack.

I sink my teeth into my lower lip and shrug my cardigan off, revealing my zipped yoga bra. His eyes scan my face, my lips, my breasts, my stomach and back up again, and the strain in his sweats does not go unnoticed. He wants this just as much as me and I’d be lying if seeing him like this isn't the biggest confidence boost. He lifts me onto his lap, so I’m straddling him.

I stroke my hands through his messy hair and I take a moment to study his face. I stare into his piercing blue eyes and trace my finger along his strong jawline, enjoying the way his stubble feels against my skin. I want to remember this moment; commit the way he's looking at me right now to memory. My words are breathless as I say, “I want you, Jack…”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jack

“I want you, Jack.”

Her words are my undoing and my restraint snaps. The years of fighting the need to be with her. My hands fist into her hair as I crash our lips together.

We are panting between kisses as she devours me. I need to slow this down; I want to enjoy every inch of Ria. I break the kiss, reaching up and taking the zipper on her bra between my thumb and pointer finger. Our breathing uneven, as we both watch the agonizingly slow pace I pull it down, her breasts bursting out. Our eyes lock, and I know there's no going back now. She's mine.

“Fuck, baby, you are perfect.” My voice is husky, full of want. I tilt her back slightly, taking one of her nipples into my mouth and sucking, earning a hiss of pleasure from her as she grindsherself against my hard length, spurring me on. I move my attention to her other nipple and the sounds she makes causes my dick to strain harder against my sweatpants.

Taking her mouth again, I slide my tongue between her full lips and it’s the kiss that could speak a thousand words. We both know what’s going to happen next, and it only intensifies the moment.

“I need you,” I tell her honestly.

“I need you, need your mouth on me,” she pants, her chest heaving.

I want her to know she’s in control, that she can tell me what she wants and how she wants it. She’s spent too many years doing as she’s told and pleasing others. As much as this moment is about us, taking our relationship to the next level, it’s also about her.

I lay her down on her back on the blankets and cushions we've had on the floor. Rising, I crawl over her and trail kisses down her neck, watching as goosebumps scatter over her skin. My mouth reaches her stomach, and she tries to cover herself with her hands.

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