Page 101 of My Rose

“Clarissa?” I nodded. He pulled me back to his chest, his steady heartbeat keeping mine in check. “Why would you be bothered seeing her?”

“Because you slept with her,” I replied quickly before I could stop myself. “And she’s possibly the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”

“I don’t know how you could think that, but I will say it’s all fake,” he whispered, his hand falling to cup my breast through my dress.

My breath was shaky as I asked, “What is?”

“You’re naturally beautiful. Stunning, actually. But her? She’s been under the knife more times than I can count.” His hand moved down, gathering the bottom of my dress until his hand could glide beneath it. “Can’t fix her personality with a knife, though.”

I scraped my teeth over my bottom lip, trying to focus as his hand continued working its way up and up. “It doesn’t bother you that she knows what you’re like in bed?” I whispered.

He cupped my pussy, drawing a moan from me. “She never got the full experience.”

“And I—” I gasped as he slipped a finger inside my slit and began toying with my sensitive bud—“have?”

He grinned. “I have a lot more planned for us, but yes. You’ve seen the real me and even pulled out some interesting new things that I didn’t even know I liked.”

“Mmm?” My eyelids fluttered, his breath warm along my chest as he swiped his lips over the fabric of my dress.

“I never wanted to see my cum dripping down her legs, much less plug her, or wanted something to come from that.” He pushed another finger in, stroking my walls leisurely. “I want so much with you. Only you.”

Briggs maneuvered my dress higher, and I swung my leg over his lap to straddle him. In seconds, he worked his pants down and entered me, thrusting inside me to the hilt, stealing the breath from my lungs.

“I love you,” I whispered as he rocked my hips back and forth, our movements unhurried and full of the love we had for each other.

“Love can’t even begin to cover what I feel for you. I love you past any measurable depth—you are my light, my life, my very fucking existence. You have obliterated my heart and soul for anyone else, Rose.”

Chapter 37

Briggs

“The gates of hell are open night and day; Smooth the descent, and easy is the way. But to return, and view the cheerful skies, In this the task and mighty labor lies.” ? Virgil

There were many things I was forced to do in my life and many things I chose to go along with because I saw no other alternative. I’d been caged, trapped in a void I had no hope of ever leaving.

Until her.

Rose and I walked hand-in-hand up the stairs to the Met, where it took a lot of effort not to turn right back around with her over my shoulder and go right back to our home. The only thing stopping me was knowing I’d get to see her beautiful face light up later with the surprise I had set up. No one forced me to be here tonight. Even if my father did find out I hadn’t come, I was prepared to handle him the way I should have years ago.

Rose halted at the entrance, her eyes falling right to the director, which was surprising, seeing as she had no idea who I was for so long yet knew who the director of the Metropolitan Museum was from across the room. I grinned as I tugged her along.

“Briggs, I don’t know if I—”

“You’ll be fine. I’ll be right there.”Always.

“What if he doesn’t like me?”

I stopped, now halfway across the room, and cocked my head at her. My fingers found the delicate curve of her chin. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

She eyed me up and down as if she didn’t believe me. “Fine. But I don’t want yourightthere. You’re going to distract me too much.” My hand found the small curve of her spine, then dipped lower.

“Is this”—I pulled her closer, drawing circles along her back as my voice lowered—“distracting you?”

“Yes,” she whispered. Her eyes darted between the oblivious director and back to me, blinking away whatever dirty thoughts I put there. I hoped it was plenty and that she’d show me later. “See? You’re a distraction. Go find Dean or something.”

A grin formed on my lips. “Keep bossing me around, baby. I practically live for you to tell me what to do.” I planted a chaste kiss on her forehead and walked with her to the director, where I left right after introductions were made. I didn’t like being that far away from her, even if it was across a room full of security. But if that’s what she wanted, then I’d make it happen.

I leaned against a pillar, watching her from a distance with a drink in my hand. When Dean came up from behind me with Jasmine on his arm, I still didn’t look away.

---