Page 95 of The Bitter Rival

“Sebastian?” I hear again. This time she sounds as if she’s crying. I quickly turn her way to find she’s holding the covers out for me. Please tell me this is really happening. I clumsily drag my feet in her direction, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Fuck, I’m probably working the whole Tiny Tim routine, just like Sam suggested, but in this moment, I don’t care.

“I’m sorry.”

Sorry for what? Has she been sleeping with him? Are they an item now?Standing here, waiting for more information before I lose it, she continues.

“I shouldn’t have hurt you like that. It was wrong. Please come here so I can talk to you.”

I tentatively lower myself to sit at the edge of her bed. I can’t touch her until I know more. I’m too angry right now and would rather call Charlie and head home than say or do something else I can’t take back. “Did you sleep with him?”

“No. It was just a date.”

“Austin said another date. How long have you two been going out?”

“Only one other time. I needed to move on. He’s so nice that I knew he’d never do anything to hurt me.”

Her statement feels like a blow to the chest. But she’s right. I’ve known all along he’s the safe bet. “Do you have feelings for him?” I ask, a little worried about the answer.

“No.” Reaching for my hand, she pulls it to her sweet lips and kisses my knuckles. I can feel my breath catch. I’ve missed this woman so much, but I’m afraid to let my guard down. “I’m afraid to trust you again. You really hurt me.”

“I know, GG. I’d do anything to take it back. I’m sorry. You were all I thought about. Wanting to come home to you and make everything right again.”

“Bas? Can you do something for me?”

“Anything.”

“Will you shut the door?”

I knew it. I’m being dismissed again. Picking up her soft hand, I raise it to my lips. I need to taste her sweet skin one last time before I leave. Standing slowly, I feel as if my battery has run dry. I anticipate I have enough energy to make it back to the front room, but I’m unsure if I’ll have enough to make it down the steps if I attempt leaving tonight. As I make it through the doorway, Bella calls after me.

“No, Bas. I just wanted you to shut the door,” she says, pointing toward Austin’s room. “Stay with me? Please?”

My heart suddenly begins to race, and I feel as if I just got a jump start from a kind passerby. I enter the room, shutting and locking the door behind me, and clomp over to her like a baby foal up on all four legs for the first time.

Landing on the bed with a thud, Bella giggles as she slides over to make room for me.If that didn’t turn her on, I snort to myself. “I should’ve had that song “I’m Sexy and I Know It” playing.” I laugh. Dropping my braces to the side of the bed, I lie down and turn on my side, facing her. “GG?”

“Yes?”

“Are we going to be okay?” She looks at me with her big brown eyes shining, a small smile popping her left dimple. I can’t even wait for an answer. Reaching to cup her cheeks, I place my lips over hers and groan. The heady feel of her mouth on mine after all of this time is better than anything I could’ve imagined. Her lips are soft and sweet. But, it’s beyond physical. It’s a connection. Giving myself to her in a way I’ve never allowed with anyone else.

My tongue swipes through her lips, and I kiss her as if I’m making up for every night we were apart. Our tongues dance as I push my fingers through her hair, wanting to anchor her to me forever. Her mouth is decadent, delicious. I don’t want this to ever stop.

Bella’s arms slide around my back and pull me into her, and I tilt her head slightly to deepen our kiss. My heart is racing in my chest, and it’s not because I’m in her bed. It’s not from the kisses I waited entirely too long to enjoy. It’s knowing there’s a chance. This beautiful woman is giving me a chance, after all I’ve done.

Isabella

I can’t wait a moment longer. I need to touch him. I’ve missed him so much. Grabbing at the hem of his T-shirt, I lift it over his head and toss it to the end of the bed. Pushing him down to lie on his back, so he isn’t using any more energy than necessary, I glide my hands down his chest. He’s not as muscular as he was when he left, yet I can still feel the ridges of his abdominal muscles as I trace them with my fingertips.

I’m surprised when he doesn’t reach for me in return, but the look of pure joy on his face reassures me everything is okay. I reach up to lower my spaghetti straps and lift my gown over my head to join his shirt at the end of the bed.

Sebastian’s eyes sparkle as he reaches for my breasts, cupping them and teasing my nipples under his gentle touch. This isn’t the wild, unbridled sex of the past. He’s tender and sweet, and I appreciate the moment after all we’ve endured. “Kiss me again, GG,” he says softly.

Straddling him, I bend down to kiss his big, beautiful lips. I alternate kisses and nibbling at his lower lip, stroking his stubble. His five o’clock shadow has practically morphed into a full beard. But he’s just as sexy as ever.

Sebastian looks at me with lust, and I realize I’ve been grinding myself against his hardening cock while we kiss.

Reaching down, I slide back and stroke him within his boxers until he lets out a low moan. Lowering his boxer briefs, I stand to remove my panties before climbing back on top of him. I bend down for another kiss as I feel him arch into me, his stiff length gliding up and down against my wet center.

He moves his hand down to my mound and teases my opening as we kiss. “God, GG. I’ve missed you so much. Not just your body but fucking everything about you.” I can feel him exhale against my ear as he continues to stroke my flesh. “You’re so wet. I can’t wait to slide inside you, baby.”

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