Valentine’s Billionaire Auction

Chapter 49

49

KAIRA

A s we made our way toward the service exit, a flutter of nervous excitement danced in my chest. Every step I took alongside him felt surreal, like stepping back into a dream I thought had dissolved with the morning sun. Despite his reassurances, part of me still braced for the moment he would change his mind, the moment this bubble would burst.

Anthony was leaning against a sleek, black car, his presence as unassuming as ever but his eyes flickered with a hint of surprise as we approached. “Evening, Kaira,” he greeted with a nod that was both respectful and slightly amused. “Nice to see you again.”

“Evening, Anthony,” I returned the gesture, feeling a small thrill at being included in this slice of his life again. “Nice to see you too.”

Anthony opened the car door for us. As I slid into the leather seat beside Roman, I realized how much I had missed these simple moments—the comfortable silence, the shared glances, the underlying excitement of just being near him.

He settled next to me, our hands finding each other instinctively. The car pulled away smoothly, and the city lights blurred past us as Anthony drove us out to Roman’s estate. I rested my head on his shoulder. I couldn’t explain how good it felt to be in his presence again. My life had been full and busy, but it wasn’t complete. He just had a way of making me feel whole.

Neither of us talked. I knew there was still a lot to say, but we had time. For now, I was content to sit here with him and just enjoy the moment.

“You look good in a tux,” I commented.

He chuckled. “You’re not so bad yourself in that dress,” he replied, his eyes scanning me. “I mean it, Kaira. You look stunning.”

I found myself blushing. It was as if no time had passed at all, yet everything had changed. I was more myself than I had ever been before, and from what I could gather so far, so was he.

When Anthony pulled to a stop at the estate, we both climbed out. It appeared the staff had already retired for the night. I looked around with memories flooding in. The last time I had been in the foyer was when he had kicked me out.

“Do you want a drink?” Roman asked.

I turned to look at him and slowly shook my head. “No.”

“Me neither.”

He took my hand and together we climbed the stairs. When we reached the top step, I was surprised to see the double doors open. I turned to look at him, questioning what had happened.

“I like to see her art,” he said with a shrug. “I leave the doors open. Anyone who walks by here gets to see it.”

I nodded, noticing he had cleaned up the place. It looked more like a gallery than an artist’s studio. “I think that’s a great idea,” I said. “Her work is beautiful. It should be seen.”

“I agree. I’m working with a gallery to display some of her pieces. I won’t sell them, but I want the world to remember my mother and her amazing talent.”

He had changed. I was so impressed. We walked by the room and into his bedroom. Nothing had changed in there. He reached up and undid his bowtie, letting it hang around his neck.

“Uncomfortable?” I asked.

“You have no idea.”

I reached up and undid a couple of buttons on his shirt, giving the man room to breathe. His fingers wrapped around my wrist and stopped me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I want you to know, there has been no one else since you.”

The intensity in his eyes held me captive, a stark honesty that stripped away any pretense. “Me either, Roman.”

He drew a deep breath, his grip on my wrist softening. “Kaira, I’m sorry for how things ended between us. I’ve had a lot of time to think, to understand where I went wrong.”

It wasn’t just an apology; it was a confession and an invitation rolled into one. His sincerity cut through the lingering doubts in my mind. I could feel the walls I’d built around my heart beginning to crumble.

“I know you’ve had your own journey since then,” Roman continued, his voice low and steady. “I’ve followed your successes, always feeling pride mixed with a sense of loss. I just… I hope there’s room for me, somewhere in your future.”

The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for my response. My thoughts raced, weaving past painful memories and future hopes. “You are my future, Roman.”

I saw the flash in his eyes. Desire? Love?

It didn’t matter because he kissed me and I had my answer. As our lips met again after so much time apart—craving each other’s touch—I knew that there was no one else who could complete me like Roman did; no one else whose heart beat in sync with mine quite like his did. There was no one else who could challenge me yet inspire me like him; no one else who could make me feel safe yet drive me wild at precisely the same time.

Slowly we broke apart, breathless yet yearning for more. His fingers pulled at my glove and slowly peeled it down my arm before removing the next one. I slowly turned and moved my hair out of the way, silently asking him to unzip me.

I felt the cool breeze as it hit my bare flesh, sending shivers down my spine. Roman placed slow, gentle kisses on my neck and shoulders as he slowly eased the dress off me, taking it with him as he stepped away.

I was left standing there in just my bra and panties, feeling empowered. I wasn’t the same shy woman as I was the first time we were together. I turned to face him.

His eyes burned with desire. “You are so beautiful.” His lips brushed against my lobe, sending another shiver down my spine.

He reached around and unclasped my bra before gently lowering it to the floor. His hands traced patterns on my back as he kissed and nibbled his way down to my hips. I could feel myself melting into him, wanting him more than anything else in this moment—needing him like air itself.

My fingers trembled as I pushed his jacket down his arms. He shrugged out of it while I worked the buttons of his shirt, pulling it free from his pants. I was suddenly feeling frantic. I needed to touch him. I missed the feel of his skin under my palms.

I jerked his shirt open and groaned when I realized he was wearing an undershirt. He quickly pulled it over his head. Our bodies met again. His hard chest pressed against my soft curves, our hearts racing wildly together in time—as if we had never been apart despite nearly a year passing by since our last embrace.

Within minutes, we were both naked and stretched out on his bed. He kissed my neck, sucking my skin before running his tongue over the same spot. My body arched into him wanting more. His hand slid over my breasts before tweaking my nipple, sending shocks of pleasure through me. His other hand trailed down my belly before dipping into the wetness between my legs.

He pushed two fingers inside me. I gasped as my head fell back. “Roman,” I moaned, grabbing his shoulders.

His mouth found my nipple and teased it with his teeth, sending shivers down my spine. He began to move both his fingers and his mouth in rhythm, pushing deeper, sucking harder. I threw my head back, feeling the climax building. It hit me like a wave, crashing over me, washing away any lingering doubts or fears. It had been too long. My body had been craving him for months.

He kissed me again, his tongue teasing my lips until they parted. He pulled back, just inches from my face. He ran his fingers through my hair, looking into my eyes.

“I love you,” he whispered against my ear, his voice tinged with regret for the time we’d lost.

“I love you,” I replied, feeling infinitely grateful for this chance to start over.

He moved his body over mine and then stopped. “Shit, the condoms. I’m not sure if they’re expired.”

I cupped his face. “Roman, I believe you when you told me you haven’t been with anyone. I haven’t either. I’m ready to trust you completely. I’m not going to get pregnant.”

“You’re sure?” he asked.

I nodded. “I’m sure.”

“Damn, woman, I don’t know how long I’ll last. I’ve never gone this long without sex. I think I might explode at first contact.”

I giggled. “Then we’ll just have to keep doing it. I think we have a lot of missed time to make up for.”

Roman slowly moved over me, guiding his hard length to my opening. He looked into my eyes, which were filled with love and respect. We locked eyes as he filled me completely. We both gasped at the sensation. Our bodies moved together in a perfect rhythm, as if they’d never been apart. He looked down at me with such love and adoration that it made my heart flutter.

He leaned in and kissed me softly while his hips began to move faster, driving him deeper inside me. I couldn’t get enough of the feeling of being so completely connected to him. My nails dug into his shoulders, urging him to go faster, harder. He growled against my neck, taking my moans of pleasure as encouragement. I could feel the tension building within him, matching my own. I knew this was it. We were both going to lose control.

And then we did. Together, we climaxed. Our bodies shook with the intensity of it all as our love for each other consumed us in a haze of passion and desire. He kissed the side of my face, showering me with fifty kisses over my eyes and nose. I could feel his cock twitch inside me. It was one aftershock after another.

When he finally pulled out and tried to move away, I wrapped my arms around him, not wanting this moment to end anytime soon. I had never been so sure about anything in my life except for the fact that Roman Kelly was mine and I was his.

“I love you,” I murmured. “I can’t believe I’m here.”

“I’m so glad you are,” he said. His hand rubbed up and down my arm. “I have spent so many nights alone in this bed thinking about what I would do if I ever got another chance with you.”

“Yeah? And what would you do?”

He chuckled. “That and then that again, but mostly, I would remind myself of what it felt like when you weren’t here. I promised myself I would never take you for granted again. Every minute I get with you is precious. I’m not going to squander it.”

“I took you for granted as well,” I said. “I took a lot for granted. I don’t want to do that ever again.”

“Thank you for coming back to me,” he whispered. “I don’t think I could ever love anyone the way I love you.”

He pulled the covers up over us, tucking me in close. It felt like we were in our own little bubble, protected from the outside world and its chaos. I closed my eyes and couldn’t help but smile. This was exactly where I was supposed to be—in Roman’s arms.

“I don’t want to fall asleep, but I feel like I haven’t truly slept since the last time I was in your bed,” I said, my eyes struggling to stay open.

“Sleep. Let me hold you. We’ve got all night. And tomorrow. And the day after that.”

I smiled but said nothing. I was exhausted. It felt like I’d been running a nine-month marathon. I could finally rest.