Page 110 of Never Left You

I fumbled. “I just…you know I’ve always had feelings for you. I never would have acted on them…ever. But now…I can’t not tell you how I feel. And with everyone asking me how I managed to ‘snag’ or ‘land’ you—all I could think about was how I was the one who didn’t deserve to have you, and yet here you are. After everything I’ve done, you’re giving me a chance, and I knew these feelings were stronger than anything I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Abi…I’m falling. Harder and harder with each touch,each kiss. Every time I have to save you from melting…Abi I’m falling in love with you.”

Those words hung between us as her breath quickened. I could hear her heart thump, thump, thump in her chest as she searched me.

“Cash I…” she whispered, breaking her gaze.

“You don’t have to say anything. Hell, I wasn’t planning on saying anything. I just…I couldn’t keep it in any longer.” I interrupted her, tightening my hold around her waist.

“Cash I…” she tried again, looking up at me, her eyes hooded over as she searched my own. “I forgive you for everything that happened, for all the things we both could have done better—I forgive us, and Cash…” She swallowed. “You do deserve me. We deserve each other.”

She kissed me then, soft, slow, tantalizing. I began memorizing the way our lips fit together, the way she tasted of her minty toothpaste, a small lingering of the drink she had on the tip of her tongue. The wave hit us both as we drank each other in, repeating the same touches, the same kisses and the same urgency. I took a step back, not breaking contact, and sat on the edge of the bed. Situating herself to straddle me, she began to work on the buttons on my shirt, revealing my skin inch by inch. Her porcelain fingertips danced against my darker skin, sending shock waves through my entire body until I moved to help her remove it fully, tossing it to the ground.

“Will you be my girlfriend?” I asked, kissing her gently.

She hummed against my lips. “I’ll be whatever you want me to be, as long as I can call you mine.”

“Yours?” I repeated.

“Mine.”

Before she could lean to kiss me again, I played with the hem of her tank top, slipping my fingers under the fabric to feel her. She shook with each breath but slowly raised her arms. I slippedthe tank top over her head, her hair falling like a waterfall over her shoulders, leaving her torso bare in her jeans and bra.

“God, Abi,” I groaned, pulling her towards me to kiss just above her breast. “I’ve never seen a more perfect woman.” I licked up her neck, feeling myself getting harder with each move she made on my lap, of simply having her in more ways than I thought. “Fuck…I can’t wait to…”

“Cash,” she stopped me, grabbing the nape of my neck to lift me up to her, “It’s uh…” she hesitated.

I could feel her shaking, her entire body shivered under my fingers. She bit her bottom lip, but met my gaze.

“It’s been a while since…well…” She shuttered. “I haven’t…” She moved to cover herself with her arms, her body almost folding over, her breath hitched and she bit her lip.

“Abi,” I whispered, kissing her sweetly. “I’ll take care of you.” Carefully, I pushed my fingers under her bra strap, watching her reaction as my calloused fingers touched her soft, perfect skin. I slowly unclasped her bra, my hands gliding past her arms to leave her completely bare in front of me. With the same care as before, I cupped her breast in my hands, slowly rubbing my thumb over her nipple, wanting to kiss and suck them, holding back as much as I could. I didn’t want to rush this. I wanted to give her everything she needed, everything she wanted. I moved one hand to her neck, pulling her closer to me to kiss and lick her skin. She gasped and arched into me.

With one motion, I scooped her up, standing and turning to lay her on the bed. I ran my hands down her stomach, bending to kiss in between her breasts, down her belly button. She shuttered again, her breathing shaky as she let out a soft moan.

“Cash…I…”

“I have you Abi.” I kissed right above her navel. “I’ll take care of you, if you trust me.”

“I trust you,” she whispered. “Cash I…I trust you.”

Slowly, I undressed her completely, standing at the edge of the bed to undress myself, my gaze never leaving her as she let her eyes wander all over my body. Her focus on me lit me up, creating sparks and a fire in me that I hadn’t felt before. Sex with Carolyn was just that…sex. There was never this level of intimacy that I was feeling with Abi’s eyes on me. I couldn’t help but think about what it would be like once her hands explored again, just like the night in my truck, but deeper this time. With every intention of becoming one with her, I inhaled, standing in front of Abi completely bare as she took me all in.

“Oh, God,” she finally sighed, her breath shaky. “Cash…you’re beautiful.”

She sat, her hands finally finding the most sensitive parts of me. My head falling back, I let her find her way, her skin feeling exactly how I imagined. Tingles flew up my skin as her fingers touched every place she could reach. I let her explore until I couldn’t hold myself back anymore. I kneeled over her, my lips finding the skin on her shoulder as we touched, teased and kissed until she finally met my gaze.

Lowering her back on the bed, gently placing her head on the pillow, I kissed her—raw and deep.

I love this woman.

“Abi,” I muttered against her lips.

“I’m yours Cash, please I…”

“I have you Abi.”

Our worlds came together, and Abi gave me the one thing I never thought I could have. Her.

Thirty-Three

---