“Fuck,” I whisper hoarsely, still trying to catch my breath.
I kiss the top of her head and hold her sweaty, sexy, thoroughly used body against me as we both come down slowly. Only when I’ve somewhat caught my breath do I realize what an animal I was with her.
“Are you okay, love?” I ask, panic lacing my words.
She looks up at me with a lazy, sated smile on her lips. “That was incredible. I’ve never… I mean, I didn’t even know anything could feel so good.”
I can’t help it. I have to kiss those swollen lips. She opens up for me, and I slip my tongue inside, kissing her with long, languid strokes until we break apart.
“I love you, too, you know,” she says with a coy smile. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier, before…” Her cheeks glow bright red at the memory of what we just shared. It makes me want to do it all over again.
“Tell me again,” I whisper, kissing the side of her neck.
“I love you, Aurelio,” she murmurs. The words hum through her vocal chords, making my lips buzz from the contact. “I love you.” Her confession sinks into my very soul.
Kimbra sighs contentedly and curls up against me, purring like a kitten. I ghost my fingers up and down her spine and allow myself to dream of the future for the first time in my life.
10
KIMBRA
“Morning, princess,” Aurelio murmurs. His lips press against my temple in the lightest kiss.
“Mmph,” I mumble. I’m still not a morning person, but waking up to Aurelio certainly puts me in a better mood.
“I have a question for you. Well, two, actually.”
“You know better than to ask me things this early,” I say, trying and failing to keep a straight face.
“Mmhm,” he agrees softly, kissing my chin and then covering my lips with his. “It’s all part of my strategy. I’ll ask you before you get a chance to fully wake up.”
I smile and shake my head at Aurelio. He’s kind of… adorable when he wants to be. Knowing he only lets himself be vulnerable around me makes me feel powerful in a way. “Well, by all means, ask away.”
Aurelio props himself up on his side and looks down at me. I’m still on my back, covered in warm blankets, and snuggled into the pillow. I don’t mind the view of my shirtless, chiseled, sexy-as-sin man next to me.
“You’ve been staying with me for over a month now,” he starts.
I nod, knowing where this is going. We didn’t really talk about it; I just crashed at his place and… never left. We skipped over fifteen steps in the relationship, and it makes sense that he wants to slow down. I brace myself for what comes next.
“And I was thinking we should make it official.”
I stare at him in silence. My brain needs a second to reboot.
“Are you saying you want to be stuck with me for a bit longer?” I half-tease. Truthfully, I’m still in shock that Aurelio wants me as much as I want him. I keep waiting for him to get tired of me or tell me I need to go back to my place.
“Well, I was hoping to convince you to be my wife,” he says nonchalantly. “That was going to be my next question.”
My mouth hangs open as I stare at him. Aurelio has a soft smile on his lips, one I’ve only recently seen him give me. I see doubt linger in his deep brown eyes, though. This man is giving me his heart, his past, and now his future. Who could say no to that?
I lean forward and rub my nose against his. “You didn’t really ask,” I say with a grin.
“Marry me,” Aurelio demands, making me giggle.
“That’s telling, not asking,” I laugh. Aurelio nips at my bottom lip, pulling it through his teeth before claiming my mouth.
His tongue tangles with mine, each stroke growing more frantic until we’re both clawing at each other. By the time we break apart, we’re both panting.
“Maybe I shouldshowyou some of the benefits of being my wife,” he growls softly.