Page 25 of Unmasking Secrets
I shouldn’t be having these thoughts. Right? The images flood my mind of her bent over as I take her from behind. Fuck, I don’t know what I like more… the idea of watching my cock thrust inside of her or rutting into her while staring at my initials on her skin.
My hand wraps around my cock; the other braces against the cold tile. I don’t last long. I know I shouldn’t do this. Fuck, this is wrong on so many levels. She makes me harder than I’ve ever been, and when I finally find my release, it’s more than I thought I could produce.
Holy fuck.
When the one who got away secretly puts your initials on her gorgeous body, you don’t let them get away. Not again—unless you’re an idiot. I need to figure out a way to make this work. There’s no denying it now.
I matter more than she ever let on. Maybe my feelings were never one-sided. I thought they went away, but this time withher is proving they didn’t. For years I’ve considered her the one who I could never be with.
We’ve always been just friends, but what if we could be more?
I take my time drying off before going into the bedroom. This isn’t something I want to bring up, not yet. She may not even be ready for anything right now. I wouldn’t blame her. But I need her to know I’m here and I’ll wait as long as I need to.
Fuck, I’ve waited my whole thirty-three years of life, what’s a while longer in the grand scheme of things? She’s worth the wait. Worth everything.
Always.
I moved the bedside lamp across the room earlier so it wouldn’t be right in my eyes, but still give a soft warm light to the room. I know she’s struggling being in the dark right now. I flip the lamp on and turn the bright ceiling light off.
I wait until we’re settled into the bed before I roll over to face her. She’s facing away from me. As I shift under the blankets, I see a glimpse of it, between the sliver of skin revealed between her pajama set. It brings a smile to my face.
Tabitha Grimaldi has my fucking initials tattooed on her. Mine.
She groans; clearly, she can tell my eyes are on her. “What?” She rolls over and faces me.
I study her face. Blue eyes that are as calming as waves, even if they’re narrowed on me. Lips that beg to be kissed. She’s so fucking perfect, it hurts.
“Can I admit something to you?” I hold my breath.
I don’t want to take this too slow. We need to rip the Band-Aid off. She needs to understand how I really feel, how I have always felt.
She sighs quietly. “Sure,” she replies slowly.
“I regret not making a move when we were younger,” I blurt out, and my heart rate picks up. “The biggest secret I kept from you growing up was how much I wanted you.”
“Arch,” her voice strains. “I thought we didn’t keep secrets.”
She’s right. We don’t. I know she’s keeping one too. I have to know.
“It should have been me.”
“What?” she squeaks.
I always wondered what my life would’ve been like if I told her all those years ago. Everything would be different. Without a doubt, our lives were always supposed to be intertwined. Nobody has ever compared to her. I think a part of me always knew, and that’s why no relationship ever lasted long.
Not that I’d admit that fact to her. I don’t want her to feel blame when it’s entirely my fault. I should have acted. I should have made a move.
“It’s too late.” She rolls over onto her back.
“What would you have done if I had done something? If I had said something? If I would’ve made a move?” I wait, but she doesn’t respond. “What if I had kissed you when we were kids? What if I told you how I felt?” I know I’m laying it on thick now, but she has to know the truth. I can’t hold it in any longer.
She’s mine, even if she wants to fight it.
“We’re just friends.” She sighs. “Archie, you never saw me like that. I was always just a friend.”
“No,” I argue.
“Arch, you had girlfriends—often. I remember.” She rolls back over to face me.
