Page 34 of Always Been You
“Who’s asking you to?” I freeze, my chest tightening as her words sink in. She doesn’t understand. She doesn’t know what she’s saying.
“You are,” I murmur, my voice quieter now but no less intense. I caress her cheeks. “If I claim you again, it’s forever, Lawliss. Not a night, not a fling—forever. There’s no walking away this time.”
Her breath catches, and for a moment, she’s silent. Then, in a voice so soft it barely reaches me, she whispers, “I can’t love you. Eddie. Not now. Not when I don’t even love myself.”
The words hit like a punch, but I don’t let her go. My hands tighten on her arms—not enough to hurt, but enough to anchor her to me. I tuck a strand of her falling hair and say, “Then let me do it,” my voice low and fierce.
“I’ll love you enough for the both of us. I’ve been doing it for years, Lynx. Years. And being near you now—it’s impossible to stop.”
She blinks, her lips parting, but no sound comes.
“You love me?” Shit, I said that out loud. I guess there’s no going back now. I nod.
“What makes you think you love me? For all you know, it could be infatuations. You can’t be sure… no.” She begins to shake her head but I hold her still.
Of course, she doesn’t believe me when I say I love her. Who would, after what she’s been through? Betrayed by the one person who was supposed to protect her, she’s probably convinced she’s unlovable. And then there’s me, complicating her life even more.
“Look at me,” I say, my voice quieter but firmer. She avoids eye contact. Her hands are still gripping my shirt, and I swear she’s holding on to me like I’m the only thing keeping her grounded.
“Look at me, empress,” She raises her head slowly, then looks into my eyes and whatever she sees makes her eyes water.
"Why?” She asks; her voice is barely audible, but it’s enough to shatter what’s left of my restraint. I swallow hard, my hands tightening around hers as I try to steady myself. Looking into her eyes, I know she sees the storm brewing inside me. There’s no point in lying. Not to her. Not now.
“Because you are the only real thing in this world to me… You’ve always been the one for me. Seeing you calm the raging storm. But.. Lawliss… I’m not a good man.”
“I don’t believe you. You are,” she says and I shake my head.
“Maybe I was years ago… but I haven’t been for a long time. Just standing here with you—the things I want to do. I wouldn’t be able to stop myself when I start.” I keep caressing her cheeks and arms. Desire flickers in her eyes. She swallows, her voice trembling but steady as she says
“Then don’t.”
“You sure?” she nods. I raise her chin, then bend to kiss her again, softer this time, but no less consuming. Her hands slide to the back of my neck, tangling in my hair, and I know—this is it. There’s no turning back now.
My hands roam over her body as hers do the same to mine. I grip her waist and hike her up, my hand slipping under her black pleated midi skirt. She wraps her legs around me as I lift her, her arms locking around my neck. With our lips still fused, I carry her to the glass desk, sweeping the documents off with one swift motion.
I pull back, my breath heavy, needing to see her eyes. She stares at me, her chest rising and falling, and before I can say anything, she crashes her lips back onto mine.
She leads this time, fierce and consuming, as my hands find their way under her ridiculously long skirt. My fingers trace a slow line up her thighs, sending a shiver through her. She gasps when I brush against the lace of her panties, and I take advantage of it, deepening the kiss and taking over. My tongue dances with hers, and I’m drowning in her, the taste of something sweet, like honey, mixed with a faint hint of salt, grounding me in the moment.
“Eddie,” she breathes, her voice trembling as my fingers slip past the lace. I hum against her lips, my mouth moving to her neck, planting slow, deliberate kisses. My fingers slide inside her, and she bites back a moan, her body arching into mine. The pace is slow, the movement is designed to drive her closer to the edge while I savor every shiver and gasp she gives me.
Her nails bite into my shoulders, her head falling back as I keep my focus on her reactions—each gasp, each shiver, each whispered plea. She’s fire and chaos and everything I’ve ever wanted, and I’m drowning in her—the feel of her, the sound of her, the way she loses herself in me.
“Eddie…” she whispers again, the sound breaking, raw. I murmur something against her neck, words I don’t even realize I’ve said, and her body tenses against mine.
Her release is quiet but powerful, her breath hitching as her head falls forward onto my shoulder. My hand is still moving, slowly, easing her down gently. Her face buries against my neck, her breaths coming quick and uneven, and all I can do is hold her closer, savoring the way she’s finally let go with me.
“Damn, Lynx,” I murmur, my voice thick with desire. “You’re so perfect. Always have been.” She breathes. We’re silent, no word spoken until a minute later, the sound of her phone suddenly blares, cutting through the moment like a cold splash of water. She jolts, having come to herself.
“Sorry, I’ve got to go,” She says, her voice breathless as she tries to collect herself. She pushes me back slightly, her hands fumbling to adjust her dress. She rushes out without saying another word.
“Trying to avoid me again,” I smirk to myself, then shake my head. Sighing, I bend down to pick up and tidy up the beautiful mess we’ve created.
My beautiful wife doesn’t know how to face me and I find that utterly amusing.
The chase is going to be an intriguing one. One that is sure to brighten up my dark life.
Chapter Sixteen
