"Come here," he says, his voice low and authoritative.
My panties dampen instinctively at the rough sound of his voice. I walk slowly, seductively toward him, thankful without a clunky cast on my arm, I actually feel sexy. I stop in front of him, my high heels giving me an extra boost of height, so my lips are at his throat, and gaze up at him with soulful eyes.
He leans down, bringing his mouth to mine and kisses me, long and deep. I feel his hands skim carefully down my sides, until they find my backside and cup my ass cheeks, his fingers squeeze and a rough growl escapes his throat. His worshipful reverence of my body makes me feel like maybe I am enough, makes me feel like I should just forget about those last ten pounds and the extra jiggle and accept the woman I am now. I reach up and twine my fingers into the hair at the back of his neck, enjoying the way his roaming hands are exploring my body. While my tongue strokes his, Pace trails his hands down my ass until he reaches under my skirt and lifts my dress up around my waist. His warm palms meet bare skin and he smiles, looking down appreciatively at the black g-string I've worn tonight just for him.
"Hmm," he growls. "No boy shorts tonight?"
I almost chuckle, but instead I bite my lip while trying not to smile. He's never complained about my choice of comfy underwear, but I can tell he likes this sexier version I'm wearing tonight. I shrug. "Special occasion and all that." I almost want to tell him about the matching bra with its demi cups, but I know he'll discover that soon enough.
He runs one finger along the seam of my pussy, lingering over the sensitive nub, and sparks of heat lick at my inner muscles. Then he drops my skirt and his fingers move to the zipper at my back, slowly sliding it lower until I can step out of the dress.
As soon as I'm free of the dress, his dark eyes glaze over with lust and wandering hands are back, gently touching and appreciating every curve I have. I stand straight and tall in the black heels, feeling every bit like a powerful sex goddess.
Deciding he still has far too many clothes on, my fingers move to his belt buckle. His erection is already tenting his slacks, and I'm dying to feel his hot, hard flesh in my hands. Especially since I now have the use of both hands.
When we're both finally stripped of every last piece of clothing, we fall into bed in a tangle of limbs, hot mouths fused together and greedy hands roaming and exploring.
The first time we make love that night, it's with me on top, a position we've both come to love. His mouth is on my breasts and his hands are on my ass, and even though I'm on top, he's the one controlling each powerful thrust as his hips rock into me.
The second time, we're lying together in a spoon position, his arms curled around me and his mouth by my ear.
"I love you," he whispers.
Hearing him say those words means everything to me. Hearing him say them to Max the first time was nearly my undoing. I feel so connected to Pace, so in sync, and full of love.
"Show me," I whisper back. As sexually satisfying as our physical relationship is, once is never enough. I've come to appreciate his ability to go again and again. His stamina is just one of the many things about him I find incredibly sexy.
Pace's hand trails along my waist, moving lower until he reaches between my legs and begins to gently rub. "Are you sore?" he asks.
"No."
"Is this hot little cunt ready for me again?" he asks. I love the filthy things he whispers during sex. I feel myself growing wet.
With one hand parting my inner lips, the other begins lightly stroking my clit. The sudden rush of pleasure makes me cry out. I'm still sensitive from the last orgasm he gave me, and my body trembles involuntarily. I feel his cock hardening between my butt cheeks and I grind against him, desperate.
I reach between us, angling his cock to my opening and push back, taking in the broad head of him. He thrusts, slowly, lazily, as he continues rubbing me. When I come all over his cock, he finally enters me fully, brutally pounding into me again and again, as if the act of holding back had been killing him. The tight squeeze of my inner muscles makes him groan long and low.
"Fuck, angel. Go easy on me," he whispers against my hair.
His warm breath comes in fast pants against my ear and I close my eyes, loving the feel of his body enveloping mine. We're as close as two people can possibly be. Wrapping both arms around me, he pumps into me several more times before finally finding his release. He comes with a low groan, and I curl my legs to my chest, letting him hold me until his cock softens and we are both at that quiet, still moment just before sleep takes over.
I lay in his arms, reflecting on my life before Pace. It was chaotic and stressful at times. I was surviving as a single mother, doing the best I could. But now I feel more in control, happier, loved and cherished. And having a partner to lean on when I need it is such a comforting feeling. I am so thankful that I gave Pace a chance. Everything I knew about the young, wealthy bachelor told me to stay away, I'm just glad my heart did not listen. He means everything to me. And I know Max loves him just as much.
Epilogue
Pace
My life is so very different than it was just three short months ago, but I've never felt happier. Knowing there's a beautiful, strong woman in my life and a little boy depending on me to be the best man I can be – it's a powerful feeling. My life is so much fuller than it ever was before. I'm lucky and I know that.
We moved into our new home two months ago and Elan visits one Saturday a month. Max doesn't really know who he is, but he tolerates his presence and has even begun interacting with him, handing him toys and babbling at him. But for all intents and purposes, I am his father, a fact that makes me feel incredibly proud. I will be the one to teach him about sports and cars and women. But at this moment, there is only one woman on my mind.
"You have to help Papa," I say to Max, squaring his shoulders and looking down into his big blue eyes.
Max giggles and bounces up and down, seeming to understand the excitement of our secret game. I'm not nervous, the only thing making me sweat is that I just handed a three-carat diamond ring to an infant. I've been instructed to call Colt and Collins right after this, since they both know I'm popping the question today.
"Don't eat this, buddy," I say to Max solemnly. He has the ring around his thumb and peering down at it like it's a magical stone. Heck, maybe it is. This stone will turn us into an official family.
I can hear Kylie humming in the kitchen where she's making her homemade pasta sauce. She loves the kitchen in our new home and picked most of the features herself. From the large butcher-block island, to the dark cabinets, to the farm sink.
"Go give this to Mumma," I tell him and guide him by the shoulders from the family room.
Max toddles forward down the hall and I follow close behind him, unable to hide the smile on my lips. I'm excited and overwhelmed all at once.
Kylie's standing in front of the stove, stirring a pot of sauce on the range.
"Angel?" I ask.
She spins to face me and my heart trips over itself. Tendrils of hair have escaped from her ponytail and her pretty green eyes land on mine. All the doubt and worry that maybe I should have planned something big and extravagant fall away. This is exactly the way this moment is supposed to go. This is us. This is our life.
"Mumma," Max says, lifting the ring up for her to see.
Kylie's gaze leaves mine and lowers to Max. Her eyes get big and her hand flies up to her mouth.
"Pace?" she says, tears in her eyes.
I swallow back a wave of emotion. "Will you be mine?" I ask, fighting to keep the emotion from my voice.
She flings herself forward into my arms and I hold her securely to my chest. "Angel?" I ask while moisture swims in my eyes.
"Yes! Of course," she cries.
I reach down and grab Max, lifting him into my arms so we're all three hugging. Kylie is crying and Max looks concerned as he watches her, until we both start laughing and then his little mouth breaks into a wide smile.
When I slip the ring over her knuckle, my throat gets tight. I've never been this damn emotional, but these two bring out a totally different man in me. The man I've always wanted to be. Standing here, the three of us, in our new family home, I finally feel complete.
***
"Please, help yourself." Kylie sets the serving dish of pasta down in the center of the dining table, and I can't help but notice the way her eyes linger on her ring, turning it this way and that way to catch the light.