Page 93 of If You Love Me

He grinned. “You can.” He reached over and grabbed my hand. Pulling it to his lips, he kissed it before dropping it in his lap. It took everything in me not to rub my hand across his crotch or grab his dick. I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted him. I craved him, but I was terrified of slipping back into the space of having sex against my will.

Even though Leon attacked me once, it lived rent free in my head. There were countless times where he touched me without penetration. It took me a while to even get comfortable with Tyrion caressing me again. I never showed it with him, but inside, I was counting down from ten. I had to mentally replace Leon’s face with his when we shared intimate moments.

The last thing I wanted was to have him on top of or inside me and see that man’s face. It would ruin sex for me completely. I’d already been tested at the hospital to make sure I hadn’t contracted anything from him, and thankfully, I was in the clear. Now it was just mind over matter. I looked over at Tyrion again. God, I wanted him. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try.

We pulled into the yard about ten minutes later. Tyrion shut off the car and got out to get me. Hand in hand, we walked into our home. After locking up, he led me down the hall to the bedroom. I kicked off my heels because after a night of dancing, my feet were on fire. I heaved a sigh of relief as I stepped out of the shoes.

“God, that feels good.”

Tyrion chuckled as he took off his jewelry. “You want a massage?”

“Absolutely.”

I pulled my dress over my head and tossed it to the side. He stared at me, his eyes slowly perusing my half naked body in the matching green bra and panty set. He licked his lips and muttered a curse under his breath.

“Shit.”

I giggled as I sat on the edge of the bed and stuck my foot out. He sauntered his sexy ass over to me and lifted my foot, placing it against his bare chest. He took his time kneading different areas of my feet with just the right amount of pressure. I used to love his massages while I was pregnant with Summer.

“Oooo… that feels amazing,” I said, moaning.

“You gotta stop with that, love.”

“I can’t help it. The food was good, and you have amazing hands.”

He smiled as he stared at me and continued to work his way up my leg. I could tell he was thinking something, but I wasn’t sure exactly what.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked.

“I’m just admiring you,” he said, kissing my toes. “Pretty ass.”

I couldn’t help but blush. I’d never get over him flirting with me. It wasn’t anything new. This was him all the time before everything happened.

“I have something for you,” he said, going over to the dresser.

I sat all the way up as he dug through it. When he turned around, there was a small black box in his hand. He nervously twirled it between his fingers.

“I bought this last week,” he said, avoiding my eyes. “At first, I thought it was a little premature, given the circumstances, but I had faith we would get to where we were supposed to be.”

He stopped fidgeting with the box and flipped the top. Inside was the most beautiful three-carat, pear-shaped diamond ring.

“I know we have a long journey ahead of us, but you were made for me, Ev. God took His time and handcrafted you to fit every part of my life. I’m so sorry I ever tried to have the life that was always meant to be with you, with someone else. No matter what happens, no matter the circumstance, I will never not wait for you again. If I can’t be with you in this life, I’ll just wait until I can be with you in the next. I love you… I love you past my heart, past my body… I love you with my soul.

“You and Summer Rose are my greatest gifts and my biggest blessings. There is nothing in this world I wouldn’t give for either of you, love. I would lay down my life to make sure that you and that little girl are okay. I know we’re technically already married, but I wanted to give you this ring to reaffirm my commitment to you. If you decide to wear it, I want it to be with pride.”

He pulled the ring out, then popped the bottom out of the box to reveal the wedding band I’d gotten him so long ago. He slipped it on his finger and reached for my hand as he got down on one knee.

“Evenie Jade Lewis… will you do me the honor of remaining my wife?”

I giggled through the tears streaming down my face. “Yeah, man.”

He playfully kissed his teeth. “Try that again, woman. I just poured my heart out to you.”

I laughed as I wiped the tears from my face. “Yes, Tyrion James Lewis. It would be an honor to remain your wife.”

He slipped the ring on my finger and stood to his feet. He’d barely gotten his balance when I grabbed his face and pulled his lips to mine. We kissed feverishly and with reckless abandon. Mutual moans of satisfaction filled the room. I could feel him hardening against my thigh. The seat of my panties were growing wetter by the second.

“Tyrion…” I whispered, pulling back to look at him.

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