Page 25 of Always Yours

“What?” I cry out, a feeling of tears forming in my eyes. “You can’t go with me. You have a family in Rhode Island and a life there and…”

“Ellen, I know it’s only been a few months, but you are my life now. I want to be wherever you are and if that means moving to California then that’s what I’m going to do.” He pauses and his lips press against my forehead, remaining there for a few seconds. “I don’t have a plan. I have no idea how it will work, but I hope you trust me when I say, I want to be with you.”

I nod my head in response, unable to form a coherent thought, because I’m so overcome by his willingness to support me, and his understanding of knowing exactly what I need.

“I love you, Ellen,” Will says, his breath coming out in small white puffs of air as the words fall from his lips.

He took a moment that I stressed about, a moment that I felt needed to be perfect and he made it exactly what I hoped it would be. It was simple and organic and everything about it has me reeling. My heart is hammering in my chest, thumping hard and fast, and right now, in this moment I know I love him too.

“Oh Will,” I murmur, my words quiet, but audible in the silence of this normally noisy college town, this normally overwhelming loud stadium venue. “I love you too.”

We barely make it back to Will’s apartment with our clothes on. Our confession has only added fuel to an already raging fire between us.

Will pushes the door open, and we tumble inside, a laugh falling from both our mouths as our lips connect. We separate for a split second as Will looks around and listens for his roommate. When he turns back to face me, his eyes are dark, his pupils wide and I can see all the want and need I feel reflected in his face. My hands begin to shake as I step closer to him, closing the distance between us, my heartbeat drumming loud in my ears, as I’m flooded with warmth.

I need to touch him, to be close to him, and this can’t be like all the other times we’ve done this. There is so much more meaning in it now than there ever was before.

I love him.

And he loves me.

I’ve said these three words before, to my parents, my sister, old boyfriends, but the intensity of it has never been like this. This is what an intense, all-consuming love feels like; it’s real and honest and raw.

My hands are on his chest, his heartbeat matching mine, a fast and rhythmic feeling; the anticipation intense and when his mouth meets mine again, I grow weak. I feel him turn me around and we walk clumsy toward the bedroom, both of us groping at each other’s clothes, desperate to feel the warmth of our skin. I push his jeans to the floor and he slips off his boots, kicking his jeans off too as he backs me up against the bed. My legs brush the comforter and I lay back.

I feel dizzy, lightheaded as if I’m spinning and I watch his eyes rake over my body and when he lies down, feeling the weight of his body on me, I gasp out loud.

He begins kissing me again, his lips soft and slow. Taking his time, he kisses my face and my neck, my shoulders and my lips as his fingers run down my arms. Each touch brings a shiver to my skin, but I need more. I need him.

Will kisses a line up my neck until he reaches my ear. I can hear his breath coming fast and ragged as he whispers, “I love you, Ellen.”

“Don’t stop, please,” I beg, and I feel like I’m melting. His words, his touch, the way he kisses me; it’s all more than I ever thought I would experience in my lifetime. It’s perfect.

My fingers trail up his arms, caressing the tight muscles in his biceps, and when I reach his neck, I cradle his face in my hands. Bringing his mouth to mine, I exhale slowly as I whisper, “I love you, Will.”

His hands slip around and undo my bra, but he’s slow and deliberate, taking his time as he slides the straps down each of my arms. Each brush of his fingers causes my body to respond. My pulse rapid, my breathing labored, as my body tingles. And when his lips press against mine, his tongue urging my lips apart, I open to him and feel the warmth of his mouth meet mine.

I’m ready for him.

And then it’s just us as I feel him push inside me. Just once though, one simple action, one simple movement that shows our trust in each other and how much falling in love can change a person. I moan when he pulls out and slides on a condom quickly. I feel him enter me again and this time we both respond letting out a soft moan of desire.

His body moves faster, my hips matching the rhythm of his as he moves in and out. Will pulls my nipple into his mouth, biting and sucking, and I call out as pleasure radiates through me. I feel his lips trail along my overly sensitive skin, leaving a burning path everywhere they touch as he makes his way over my neck. He bites and sucks, marking me and making memoan for more. When he reaches my ear, his voice deep and sexy, he growls out, “One day I’m going to marry you and we’ll fuck like this every single night of our lives.”

There’s nothing I want more than to marry him and to feel like this and to be this connected to him for the rest ofmy life.

10

Will

Present Day

“Where are you going?” I mumble, as Ellen stirs beside me.

“Getting up,” she whispers, even as she rolls into my side.

“Bullshit,” I say, wrapping my arms around her. “Do you remember what day it is today?”

I feel her mouth smile against my ribs before she rolls her body onto mine, her smiling face looking down at me. I reach up and brush the hair back from her face.

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