Chapter 48
48
DEAN
I couldn’t believe the turn of events. One minute, I was at an auction, trying to avoid Portia, and the next, she had me alone in a bedroom with her. My heart hammered in my chest as she stepped closer, her fingers tracing over my chest before undoing the buttons of my shirt. Despite myself, I let her push me against the wall and pressed her hips to mine. Her lips were soft against my jaw as she spoke about her newfound confidence and determination to go after what she wanted.
I knew all too well how that felt. It was why I’d been avoiding her. I was terrified of losing her again if things didn’t work out. But standing here with her, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, it was impossible to resist any longer. She was right. We deserved a chance. She was worth taking the risk for.
As she pulled back to look up at me, our eyes locking in a heated gaze, I knew this wouldn’t be like last time. We were different people now. I felt like we were both stronger, more certain of ourselves and each other. With a growl, I claimed her lips again. My hands traveled down her sides and skimmed over curves I’d fantasized about for months. The chemistry between us ignited like a wildfire, consuming us both as we finally gave in to what had always been there. Nine months later and things had only grown hotter. I would never not want her.
I reached behind her and unzipped her dress. The straps slipped off her shoulders. I pushed it down, revealing the virginal white bra and matching panties. I leaned in, capturing her lips again in a searing kiss as my hands skimmed over her bare skin, trailing down her back. The anticipation seemed to heighten both of our senses as we pressed against each other.
Portia moaned into the kiss, arching her back slightly as I palmed her ass, pulling her even tighter against me. My cock was hard as a rock in my pants, aching to be freed. With a rough groan, I slid my hands under her panties and traced patterns over her wet heat through the thin material.
She broke the kiss, looking up at me with hooded eyes. “Take them off,” she breathed.
I nodded, my fingers working on the button of my pants. As soon as it was undone, I pushed them down along with my briefs, freeing my hard length. Portia gasped softly as she looked down at me for a moment before meeting my gaze again.
“You’re beautiful,” she said softly, stroking her fingers over the head of my cock.
“And you’re stunning,” I growled out, catching her hand and lacing our fingers together.
I kicked off my shoes and socks, then rested my hands on her hips. “Lie down,” I commanded, nudging her toward the blanket on the floor. She hesitated for a moment, hesitant but not pulling away. Instead, she let out a shaky breath and finally complied, lying down on her back, and I followed suit.
The candles flickered around us, casting shadows on the walls and ceiling as we looked into each other’s eyes. A low moan escaped Portia as I kissed my way up her body, stopping to tease her nipples through the lacy bra. She arched into my touch, encouraging me to continue. With a wicked grin, I slipped a finger under the lace and teased her clit before trailing lower, tasting her sweetness. She bucked wildly beneath me, moaning my name.
“Don’t stop,” she panted as I pushed two fingers inside her wet heat, stretching and filling her just enough to make her gasp.
I knelt between her legs, gently pushing her thighs open wide. I bent down, inhaling the scent of her. Her hands clung to my shoulders as I licked and suckled at her sensitive bud, driving her wild with pleasure. “Oh God,” she moaned, thrusting against my face.
My cock ached to be inside her but I wanted to savor every second of this. Portia’s moans grew louder and more desperate as I continued to tease and pleasure her. She was so close, the tightening of her muscles around my fingers a clear indication. I didn’t want to rush her, wanted to make sure she enjoyed every moment of this. With one last lick, she was lost. She fell over the edge. I suckled, swallowing every drop as she came apart.
I pulled away and positioned myself at her entrance. “Are you ready for me?” I asked gruffly, already knowing the answer.
She moaned and reached for me. I pushed inside slowly, feeling her tight heat envelop me. Portia gasped sharply, arching her back off the floor. “Dean,” she breathed out softly, looking at me with desire and love. She reached up, entwining her fingers in my hair, and pulled me down.
I started moving slowly, thrusting in and out of her wet heat, feeling the familiar ache in my chest subside slightly with each passing moment. She was so responsive, meeting every stroke with a moan or a gasp. Her nails dug lightly into my shoulders, not enough to hurt but enough to leave their mark. Our hips slapped together, our bodies moving as one in perfect harmony.
Both of us were losing control inch by inch. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was what it felt like to finally be truly alive. The sensations were overwhelmingly exquisite—her warmth enveloping me, her sweet moans filling my ears. The feeling of her muscles clenching around me just before she climaxed. “Portia,” I groaned out her name, pulling back before thrusting deep inside again. And just like that, she came apart beneath me, her body going rigid.
I buried my face in her neck as my own release hit me like a freight train—hard and fast and all-consuming. My body bucked wildly as I emptied myself inside her. When it was over, we lay there spent and satisfied, wrapped up in each other’s arms. My head was spinning from the force of the orgasm. I rolled onto my side, pressing my body against hers. “You,” I breathed out softly, lifting one of her hands to my lips and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. “I want you, Portia.”
We lay in our little cocoon for a while longer.
“Come back to my place,” I said into the quiet room.
She raised an eyebrow. “You want me to come home with you?”
I nodded, trailing my fingers along her bare arm. “I’ve spent nine months waking up without you. I’m not doing it again.”
Her smile was soft, hesitant. “What about Seth?”
“He’s got his own place now,” I said. “Has for months.”
“Really?” She sounded surprised, pushing up on one elbow to look at me. “You didn’t try to keep him close?”
I shrugged. “Turns out jail did what I couldn’t—made him grow up. He’s working at the shop full-time. Showing up on time. No drinking. No drugs. You’ll hardly recognize him.”
“Wow,” she breathed. “That’s amazing, Dean. You must be so proud of him.”
“I am,” I admitted. “But I’m also just relieved. It’s like I can finally breathe again.”
She traced patterns on my chest, her touch feather light. “So what does that mean for you? If you’re not spending all your time worrying about Seth?”
“It means I’ve got time to think about what I want.” I caught her hand, pressing it flat against my heart. “And I want you, Portia. Not just tonight. Not just tomorrow. I want to see where this goes.”
She bit her lip, her eyes searching mine. “Are you sure? I don’t want to pressure you into anything. But I want you to know I’m here. I’ll be here.”
“Last time I was terrified,” I admitted, my voice rough. “I was convinced you’d wake up one day and realize you deserved better than this town. Better than me.”
“And now?”
I brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Now I realize I was being a stubborn ass. That I should’ve trusted what we had. That I should’ve trusted you to know your own mind.”
A smile bloomed across her face, lighting up her eyes. “Did Dean Jackson just admit he was wrong?”
I growled playfully, rolling on top of her and pinning her hands above her head. “Don’t push it, Watson. But maybe I’ve done some growing up too. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”
She laughed, the sound warming me from the inside out. “Fine. But I reserve the right to remind you of this moment the next time you’re being stubborn.”
“Which will be when?”
“Probably tomorrow,” she said dryly.
I chuckled, pressing a kiss to her lips. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
We got up and started to dress. Portia slipped her dress back on. I watched her, my chest tightening. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to tame the waves I’d made a mess of earlier. She caught me staring and smirked.
“What?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Just thinking,” I said, pulling on my shirt. “You’re still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away, but I didn’t miss the way her lips curved into a small smile. “Smooth.”
I grabbed my jacket off the floor and handed it to her. “Here. It’s cool out.”
She caught it. “Thanks.”
We locked up and headed back on my bike. Portia climbed on behind me, her arms wrapping around my waist like they belonged there. Her warmth pressed against my back as I started the engine. The ride back to my place was quiet, the hum of the bike and the cool night air wrapping around us like a cocoon. Portia’s grip on me tightened slightly as I took a sharp turn. I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of my mouth.
When we pulled into the driveway, she slid off the bike and pulled off the helmet as I killed the engine.
“Still looks the same,” she said quietly, almost to herself.
“Yeah,” I replied, grabbing her hand and leading her up the steps. “Haven’t had much reason to change it.”
We walked inside together. I knew we had been together for less than an hour, but I was already envisioning her moving in. She could sell her house or keep it, but I knew she loved it here and I knew she would love to live here. Together. Me and her against the world.