Her voice steadied. “Brooks... I want this. You gotta trust me too.”

He looked at her searching for the truth or deception. He hoped he could believe her this time. Trust wasn’t something he gave up freely but he was trying.

Brooks scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom. He dropped her on the bed, and she giggled as she bounced.

With a smirk, she pushed herself up and Brooks’s waist was suddenly right in front of her, close enough to taste. She unbuckled his belt, surprising them both. His eyes widened as she yanked it off, tossing it carelessly to the floor. The rest of his clothes didn’t stand a chanceeither. His dick sprang free, proud and eager, staring right at her. She didn’t even hesitate, she lowered her head and kissed the tip, teasing it with her tongue. Brooks hissed, watching as she took him into her mouth with a hunger that nearly drove him crazy.

She started slow, her lips making a liar out of every nervous word she’d spoken before. Brooks gripped the back of her head, fighting to keep it together. His hands tangled in her hair, holding her in place as she showed him exactly what she could do. He let her take her time, her moans vibrating through him, and then she went for it her hand cupping his balls as she swallowed him whole.

The sight of her eyes, dark and wide with surprise, as she took it all in, had him on the edge. His mind couldn’t handle it, but somehow, he kept it together as he bust. When she finally pulled off with a pop and backed away, Brooks could’ve sworn he saw stars.

“Come on, get in,” she whispered patting the bed.

Brooks hesitated for only a second, his chest still heaving. Then he leaned back, propped up against the pillows, and before he could say anything, she was already on top of him. Straddling him, sliding down onto his pole with a slow, controlled rhythm.

Her lips met his again, it was urgent, 911. The kiss deepened as she took control. She rode him slow at first, then picked up the pace, moving in a rhythm that dragged a low groan out of him.

“No turning back now,” he moaned between breaths, eyes blazing. “This the third time you let me up in this muthafucka. We done playing Taylor, understood?”

A wicked smile played on her lips as she leaned down, pulling him closer, her body moving against his with a slow, teasing pace.

“I understand. I promise,” she whispered, before kissing him again, her body crashing into his as they lost themselves to the moment.

Taylor’s hips rocked against his causing every nerve in his body to come alive. She was trying to take everything from him the way she moved. Her moans were a melody that pushed him to the edge, and he couldn’t help but answer them with his own low groans, the sound of their bodies meeting in a rhythm so perfect it felt like every step in her life had brought her right here.

Brooks watched her, completely mesmerized, as she took control like it was second nature, it not being second nature for him is what had his dick hard as a statistics class.

“You feel so fucking good,” he rasped, his voice hoarse from the intensity.

She didn’t say a word, just smirked, a sly glint in her eyes as she picked up the pace, pushing herself to the edge again, pulling him right there with her. He didn’t want it to end, but the way she was moving faster, harder he knew they were both close.

Her breath hitched as her pace faltered for a split second, and then she looked down at him, those deep, dark eyes locking with his.

“I’m so close,” she whispered, her voice shaky.

“Don’t stop, shit don’t stop,” he growled, his hands gripping her hips, holding her in place as he slammed her body into his over and over with instructions. “Give it to me.”

With a final, needy moan, Taylor threw her head back and arched into him, her body trembling as the wave of her release hit her hard. The feeling of her tightening around him was too much, and he lost control, his own climax crashing over him as he lifted from the bed. He pulled her close, burying his face in her neck as their bodies stilled, breathless and tangled in the aftermath.

No words. Just the weight of what they’d just shared pressing heavy and quiet between them.

Later, wrapped in hotel sheets and tucked into his chest, Taylor placed soft kisses across his stomach, and asked, “Will it be like this when we get back?”

Brooks’ fingers stilled on her spine. He tilted her chin until her eyes met his.

“That’s up to you, Taylor. I know what I want. I’ve known since the night I picked you up from work. No bullshit.” His voice was low but steady. “The question is—do you?”

She didn’t flinch. Just exhaled slowly, gathering her thoughts.

“I’m not scared,” she said, her voice clear. “I’m... cautious. People are going to talk. They always do when you stop living how they expect. But I’m not running from this.”

She looked up at him softly. “What we have is real. And I’m not about to act like it’s not just because it’s inconvenient or unexpected. You’ve been good to me, Brooks. Better than I knew I needed.”

People would surely talk and have an opinion about what she was doing, and she’d let them. She’d already conquered her real fear, choosing herself.

Brooks nodded, the weight of her words settlingbetween them. He knew what this time together meant. They both did. Going back to normal wasn’t on the table. And truthfully? Neither of them wanted it to be.

“I need to tell Blake.”