Page 122 of Ezra
Ezra sighs softly, bowing his head. “That’s something I can’t change. My job will be dangerous at times. I’m not leaving my unit. I have a duty. I can’t forsake it. Even if I weren’t company property, serving is what I was made for.” He watches me,measuring me. “Can you handle that? There’ll be long nights where I can’t always be home. Jayne meant well, but she has her own job to do. She won’t always be calling you and keeping you informed of my whereabouts or what I’m doing.”
I get a small dose of anxiety at his words, butterflies of a different kind in my stomach.
“There may be times you don’t know where I am or what I’m up to. You just need to trust that I’ll do everything in my power to come home, that I haven’t forgotten you. That nothing is more important to me than returning to you. It won’t be easy. Can you live with that?”
I don’t hesitate. “I can. I have to.”
“Do you?” he asks.
“Of course I do. It’s all worth it if it means I can be with you.”
His smile is bright and hopeful. “You told me you needed me that night. You have no idea—noidea—how I’ve carried that with me. This is it.” He looks back at me. “You’re it.”
My tears are gone, chased away by his words, his presence, and his reassurance that no matter what, he’ll always come home.
I believe him.
“I need you, Ezra,” I whisper, then repeat it for good measure. “I need you in my life. I love you.”
We crash together as he kisses me deeply, tongue delving past my lips to tangle with mine. He lifts me onto the countertop as his scent, his taste, the feel of his hands pulling open my bathrobe, carry me away. He pushes my legs apart, leans me back as I pull his cock from his pants, and hilts himself inside me.
I suck in a breath and cling to him tightly as he fiercely ravages me, thrusting wildly until I’m begging him to come with me. His name is a cry on my lips. He slows, his clothingdisheveled from my failed attempts at pulling his clothes off at my current angle, and withdraws.
I huff playfully at him. “Hey.”
His lips trace my neck. “Hm?”
“I said I love you.”
He leans away, grinning at me slyly. “I know.”
I pound his chest with my fists in indignation, and he laughs. He wraps his arms around me, squeezing me tight as he kisses my ear. “I’ll always love you. For all time.”
Shivers thrill me from my head to my toes. “That’s better.”
He picks me up and carries me to the bedroom. “How do you feel about becoming a Washington someday?”
“A Washington,” I say, giggling as he tosses me onto the bed. “Really?”
“Yes.” He crawls into bed with me. “I’d like for us to share something. Like a name.”
The possibility of becoming Ezra’s wife sends me to new heights, my entire body on pins and needles, shivering with delight as he brushes his hands over me. “You really don’t waste any time, do you?”
“Nope,” he replies. “Can’t help it. Programming, reflexes. Lightning fast.”
“I would love to carry your name.”
His hands slow as he gazes at me. “You mean that?”
“With all my heart,” I say. “Youarea Washington. You always have been. They’re your family, Ezra. Deion’s your brother. I’m honored you want me to be part of your family too.”
His face lights up considerably with hope. “Ezra and Katrina Washington,” he murmurs, leaning in and brushing his lips against mine. “Has a ring to it.”
“Oh, there’dbetterbe a ring.” I rest my head back on the pillows, laughing.
“There will be.” Ezra smiles at me again, and that smile—the one he saves just for me—has me all but melting into a puddle on the bed. “I promise.”
We share a deep kiss, and I’m anticipating it’s about to lead to a second round of what we began in the kitchen, but Ezra starts laughing quietly. “What?” I ask in confusion. “What is it?”
