I pull away from her neck and run my tongue down her body. Her breasts are peeking out of the top of the corset and there's a sexy little strip of bare stomach visible between the corset and the panties. I move my hand under her ass and pull it up towards me. The act pushes her glorious pussy up. It's practically begging for my mouth, so I don't deny myself any longer. She tastes like a very aroused woman as I lick and suck on her core. Her hands dive into my hair, holding my head firmly in place as she grinds against me.
"Nate," she moans breathlessly.
"I want to hear you," I mumble against her sex, the vibrations of my words sending her closer to the edge.
I dive my tongue deep inside of her - as deep as it will go - as I continue to rub around on her clit. It takes a matter of seconds before Lia is screaming my name in ecstasy. Her juices coat my mouth as I savor the taste and feel of her coming against me.
I find her mouth with my own, loving the taste of her arousal mixing in our kiss. We don't speak as I reach blindly for the condom on the pillow. I make quick work of sheathing myself before I move fully between her thighs.
I pull back from the kiss and look deep into her blue-gray eyes as I move myself to her entrance. Our eyes remain locked as I slowly push myself inside of her. Her breath hitches, but her eyes only show pleasure. I pray that my eyes show the same reaction because the feel of her body surrounding mine feels so fucking right.
I return my mouth to hers and slowly pull back out. When I reach the tip, I slide back inside in one slow, fluid motion. Lia's hands grasp my back. The bite of her nails is almost my undoing as my hips flex a little harder this time. My lower body starts to take over and moves on its own. I make love to her body, mind, and soul. She's the one. She's the one I want forever.
"I love you, Lia," I whisper against her open mouth.
She inhales audibly and tightens her legs around my waist. I look into her stunned eyes. Her eyes fill with unshed tears and so much emotion. "I love you, too," she whispers as a stray tear falls down the side of her face. I use the pad of my thumb to swipe the tear away but several more follow.
I find her mouth again with mine and give her a deep, passionate kiss. I want her to know how much she means to me. I want her to know that I haven't said those three words to another woman, in fourteen years. Hell, has there ever been another woman before Lia? Hell fucking no. I've been waiting my entire life for Lia.
My pace picks up as the emotion of this moment takes hold. I feel her insides start to tighten around me which makes me grow even harder. I move my arms to frame her head and bring my lips back down to hers. Her tongue feels like a bolt of lightning with each flick against mine.
Just when I think I'm not going to be able to hold off any longer, Lia's insides grip my cock, pulling me hard inside her. I struggle to move as our joint orgasms rip through us. I pump hard as my body spills its seed deep inside of her. I whisper those three little words over and over again as her nails scratch the shit out of my back. It's the most satisfying pain I've ever felt. It's that reminder that this moment is real; not a dream.
I hold her flush against me for several minutes. I don't want to move. I don't want to pull out of her body. I want to stay right here forever.
My dream? She's right here, underneath me.
She's the one.
Chapter Twelve
Lia
Nate's weight on top of me is fulfilling. Hearing the words he spoke while we made love and finally saying them back is the most gratifying feeling. I don't want to see it end. But I know it will.
Another few tears slip from my eyes as Nate nuzzles my neck with his nose.
"Don't cry, baby," he whispers as he rolls to the side, pulling me with him. He's still buried deep inside of me, and I don't want him to pull out. I know when he pulls out that it'll be for the last time.
More tears leak as Nate gently wipes them away. I hold on tight as we both hold each other in the aftermath of our lovemaking. And that's what that was. It was passionate. Complete. Love. The way I always imagined love to be.
Nate slides out of me and pulls me against his chest. The blond dusting of hair tickles my chest as he tucks me into the crook of his neck. His arms are strong and tight around me and his leg goes over both of mine in a protective manner. The room smells like sex and sweat and it's just the way I want to remember this night, because when I leave here, that's all I'll have. Memories.
Nate pulls back ever so slightly so that he can remove the condom. He ties a little knot on the end and slips it in the garbage can underneath his nightstand.
I try to fight the sleep that is taking hold. I want to stay awake and memorize every breath he takes, every curve of his body, every feeling I have with him against me. Nate's breathing starts to even out and his hold on me starts to relax. Tears silently fall against his chest as I'm lulled to sleep by the steady beat of his strong heart.
"I love you, Lia," he whispers as he dozes off to sleep.
"I will always love you, Nate," I whisper back as I close my eyes, absorbing all I can from this moment.
My dream? Nate is the missing piece of my soul and that breaks me because I can't stay. I will never forgive myself if I bring my nightmare to the doorstep of those I love and care for the most. It's the way it has to be.
So, tonight, I will hold him tight.
Tomorrow, I must let him go.
*****
I am awakened before the sun, by the ringing of a phone. Nate is softly snoring next to me, and it takes a few seconds before I disentangle myself from his big body to get to the noise. It's coming from inside of my clutch purse. I dive for the phone before it can wake him and notice the number; it's not one I recognize, but it's local so I answer.
"Hello?" I whisper from a crouching position on the floor.
"Amelia, love. I've been looking for you," the voice on the other end of the line says. My blood runs cold and my heart rate spikes. My hands start to tremble and I almost lose grip on my phone.
"Garrett," I whisper.
"Amelia, Amelia, Amelia. You've been a very naughty girl, love," he says.
"What do you want?" I whisper, trying to keep the fear out of my voice and failing miserably.
"Oh, Amelia. You know what I want. I want you," he says coldly.
"You can't have me. I'm not a possession, Garrett."
"See, that's where you're wrong, love. You belong to me. Not that piece of trash fireman you're shacked up with right now," Garrett bites out.
My eyes widen then instantly land on Nate's calm, sleeping face. Garrett knows exactly where I am. Garrett has found me.
Run.
"What do you want?" I whisper.
"You, Amelia. Even though you left me in the middle of the night when I wasn't looking, then ran off to whore yourself around with half this town, I still want you. See, you've always belonged to me." My breathing is labored and my body is raked with chills. It's not so much the words he's saying as the way he says it; calm, yet so disturbing and completely unsettling. "I've been watching you whore around with that man for weeks now, Amelia. He has a very nice family, doesn't he?" The threat is obvious. "You have thirty minutes to gather your things, get out of that house, and come to my hotel room. You will return with me to Daytona, where you will take the punishment you deserve. Do not run off again, Amelia, or the punishment will only be that much more severe when I finally get my hands on you. Thirty minutes, Amelia. Thirty minutes or I come to get you," Garrett threatens sternly into the phone.
"The hotel on Main Street. Room 325. Do not run, love. I will find you again." The phone in my hand disconnects and my vision blurs from the tears I didn't realize I was shedding. I glance at Nate as he sleeps peacefully in bed, completely oblivious.
I have to go.
Now.
I quickly reach for the bag of clothes I brought with me. I dig out a pair of shorts and a tank top, and slip them on. I'm in such a hurry that I don't even bother with undergarments. I check the bag to make sure I have everything else I packed. When I made this bag yesterday after discovering the gift that Garrett left me, I stuffed as much clothing as I could fit in it. I grabbed all of the cash I had, which is quite a bit since I never opened accounts. Accounts can be tracked.
I stand at the foot of the bed, staring down at the only man I have ever truly loved, and who has ever loved me unconditionally in return. Scars and all, he loves me. But, I have to leave in order to protect him and his family.