Page 23 of Big Risks

Once again, I kiss her deeply, as her body arches up to meet mine. My hands explore her, tracing the curve of her waist, and the flare of her hips. She's soft and warm, and she feels like everything I've been missing. Her hands roam over my back, and my shoulders, pulling me closer, urging me on.

Trailing kisses down her neck, I pause at the pulse point where her heartbeat flutters against my lips. Then I move lower, tasting her collarbone, and the valley between her breasts. She gasps as I cup her breast, my thumb brushing over her nipple through the lace of her bra. I look up at her, seeking permission. She nods, biting her lip, and I reach behind her to unclasp her bra, sliding it off her shoulders.

Her breasts are perfect, and I take a moment to appreciate them before dipping my head to taste her. She moans softly as I takeher nipple into my mouth, her back arching off the bed. I lavish attention on her, learning what makes her gasp, what makes her moan, what makes her fingers grip my hair tightly.

I move lower, kissing her stomach, the curve of her hip. Looking up at her again, I hook my fingers into the waistband of her panties. She lifts her hips slightly, allowing me to slide them down her legs. I toss them aside, my heart pounding in my chest as I take in the sight of her, bare and open to me.

Starting at her ankle, I press soft kisses up her leg, the inside of her knee, her thigh. She's trembling slightly, her breath coming in short gasps. I can see the evidence of her arousal, and it sends a surge of desire through me. Then I settle between her legs, looking up at her one last time before tasting her.

Her reaction is immediate and intense. Her hips buck against my mouth, and I have to hold her down, my hands gripping her hips. She's moaning loudly, her hands fisted in the sheets. I take my time, learning her, tasting her, bringing her to the edge and then backing off, only to build her up again.

"Walker," she gasps, her voice hoarse. "Please. I need... I need you."

I move up her body, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss. She can taste herself on me, and it has her moaning my name. She reaches between us, wrapping her hand around my length, guiding me to her entrance.

Looking into her eyes, I pause. "Are you sure?" I ask again. I need to know that she's all in, that she wants this as much as I do.

"Yes," she whispers, her hips lifting slightly, urging me on.

Slowly, Inch by inch, I slide into her giving her time to adjust. She's tight and warm, and it takes every ounce of self-control not to lose myself right then and there. She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me deeper, and I start to move.

We find our rhythm quickly, our bodies moving together like they were made for this. I kiss her deeply, swallowing her moans, her gasps. Her nails dig into my back, her heels pressing into my ass, urging me on.

I can feel her tightening around me, her body searching for that release. Reaching between us, I find the spot where we're joined, and press my thumb against her clit. She comes undone, her body convulsing around me, her mouth open in a silent scream.

Watching her come sends me over the edge. I bury my face in her neck, groaning as I find my own release. We stay like that for a moment, our bodies still joined, our hearts pounding against each other.

I roll off her, pulling her into my arms. She rests her head on my chest, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin. We're both slick with sweat, our breaths slowly returning to normal.

"What are we doing?" she whispers, looking up at me with those big blue eyes.

I brush a strand of hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "Trying again," I reply, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

She smiles at that, her body relaxing against mine. "I like the sound of that."

We lie there for a while, just holding each other, basking in the afterglow. I can't remember the last time I felt this content, this happy. I've missed this. I didn’t even know I needed her.

Eventually, Hailey props herself up on one elbow, looking down at me. "I should probably go," she says, but there's a question in her voice.

"Or you could stay," I suggest, tracing a finger down her spine. She shivers slightly, her eyes fluttering closed.

"Walker," she whispers, her voice filled with longing. I can see the war raging inside her, the battle between what she wants and what she thinks is right.

"Stay," I whisper again, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "Please."

She looks at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine. Then she smiles, a soft, sweet smile that sends a wave of warmth through me. "Okay," she says, snuggling back down against my chest.

I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. We'll figure out the rest tomorrow. For now, this is enough. This is everything.

As we drift off to sleep, I can't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we can make this work. Maybe we can find a way to be together, to be a family. Only time will tell, but for the first time in a long time, I'm looking forward to what comes next.

Chapter 7

Hailey

The afternoon sun streams through my bedroom window as I sit cross-legged on my bed, surrounded by the letters. I've been organizing them chronologically, fascinated by the progression of this soldier's heart opening up to Red. It's like watching a flower bloom in slow motion.

I pick up one from the middle of the timeline, dated about six months into his deployment. The paper is worn at the edges, as if it's been read and reread many times.

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