Page 149 of Illicit

Nothing is unpacked and the only thing set in place is the bed we’re on.

Our bed.

I slide in balls deep and stay here. When I press my lips to hers, I force myself to breathe deep, be steady, and focus. This is against human nature. My body wants nothing more than to let go, take her just like this, and set my sperm free to do its thing.

“I might just love this more than you do,” I say against her lips.

Her small tits brush my chest

She started her job search again. And she’s young. I know she wants this, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready.

I let go of her wrists and reach over to the nightstand. When I open the drawer, I bypass the condoms even though I shouldn’t.

Instead, I grab the small box I’ve been saving for today. There’s no way we’re sleeping in this house one night without getting this done.

I flip open the box with one hand and nudge the slim piece of gold onto the tip of my index finger. It barely fits over my nail, but I know it will fit her. Annette helped me with the size right after I told Tim my plans.

Since we’re connected as one, I feel it around my cock and everywhere else when I raise my finger for her to see.

She tenses, squeezing me in all the right places.

Focus, Roc.

“Marry me.”

Her eyes flare right before they glaze over with unshed tears.

I go on. “It’s not a question because there’s only one acceptable outcome to this scenario. Once you opened my eyes to what could be, there’s been no one but you. Love your heart, baby. Love your mind. I love you inside and out. I sure as hell don’t deserve you, but I want everything with you.”

“It’s perfect.” She touches my hand and runs the tip of her finger over the small diamond before gazing back up at me. “You’re perfect.”

“We’re perfect,” I amend. “And I’m ready to start our lives together.”

Tears run down her temples as she nods. “I can’t believe this is real.”

I take the ring and slip it on her left ring finger. I stare at it for a moment before turning back to her. “It’s real.” I pull out and push back in. “Very real.”

As much as I don’t want to, I pull out. By the look on her face, she’d said yes to anything I ask, but that’s a conversation for a different time and place. I make the quickest work of a condom yet and slam back into her.

“We need an alternative,” I say through a groan. “I’m good with whatever you want. But the condoms have to go.”

She lifts her hips as I take her, doing what she can to meet every thrust.

I take her left hand in my right one and thread our fingers. I bought the best ring I could afford. Feeling it on her finger where it will stay for the rest of our lives does something to me.

I slowly lose control in the only way I love to—when I take her.

Teagan.

Mine.

Now and forever.

EPILOGUE

Four months later

Rocco

---