Chapter 26
STELLA
I was a shivering, blissed-out mess, unable to stand, let alone walk to my bed.
Curtis was… He was perfect.
I had been desperate for him, absolutely fucking feral for his touch. I couldn’t hold back any longer, triggering my forward approach. And I wasn’t mad about it.
I wished I could blame my lack of restraint on the alcohol, but when I fully roused on that bathroom counter, I was stone-cold sober and buzzing with a different type of intoxication.
Then, Curtis gave in—he stroked and licked me, his expert touch causing my nerve endings to spark thermonuclear from the overstimulation.
I had lost count of how many times my best friend had made me come. His tongue and fingers managed to rip every inch of pleasure from my shattered bones.
Yet, he didn’t stop there. He was extremely sexy and unapologetic as he took and demanded, as utterly ravenous for me as I was for him. His attention was so all-consuming that I lost my way, only to be caught by him. Again and again.
And as I found release that final time, I knew I had to return the care and affection he had so freely given me.
I tugged on his hair, and he raised to stand at my silent command. His chin was glistening, and his eyes were so dark and sultry that I didn’t hesitate to pull him closer, capturing his lips with mine.
He reciprocated the claim, his mouth shaping against my own as if it should always have been there.
With a stealthy hand, I traced my fingers downward, descending past his waist to wrap around his cock.
I whimpered, the sound embarrassing, yet I couldn’t bring myself to give one single fuck. Just from the shape of him, I knew he had ruined me for any other.
Then, everything slowed when Curtis detangled my firm grip and laced his fingers with mine, cutting off my touch. Our passionate kiss naturally tapered off as our chests panted in alignment.
“You don’t have to,” he murmured, his desire-soaked voice contrasting with his words.
“But. You gave me so much. I want to give you—”
He raised a thumb to trace against my lower lip, his cheeky smirk peeking through. “That’s not why I did it, baby. Tonight’s not about me.”
Old insecurity began to creep in. Why did he stop? Does he not want me? Does he regret crossing that line?
“Y-you don’t want me?” I asked, the treacherous thought managing to bypass my filter.
“Fuck, baby,” Curtis said before he pushed his throbbing cock against my slit. The only barrier was his jeans that caused a delicious friction. “Does it feel like I don’t want you?”
He continued a slow, torturous rotation of his hips, as if he just couldn’t stop, his covered length growing impossibly harder—a physical manifestation of how bad he wanted me.
Curtis shuddered. “I’ve already come in my pants twice just from the taste of you. You want me to do it again?”
“I’d rather you do it inside me.” Who am I?
He cursed under his breath, our foreheads bumping together as he shook his head. “I’ve never wanted anyone more than I want you, Stella Foster. I’m not fucking this up by shoving my dick in prematurely.”
“But—”
He cut off my words by pressing a chaste kiss to my lips, his short exhales puffing against my skin.
“You’re not ready for all of me, baby.”
“Curt?”
“Because that’s what I want from you. All of you. Your body, your soul, everything in between. I can’t just settle on a quick fuck, no matter how mind-blowing it would be. You’re going through a lot of change, my brave girl, and I don’t want to take advantage of that.”
A different type of heat seemed to take over my system. A particular warmth invaded my heart just as much as my soul. A calming balm full of familiarity, safety and love.
“So, you’re saying yes… just not right now?” I clarified.
“I can't deny you anything, Stells. So, if you want everything, I’ll give it to you right here and now. But make no mistake, when you say yes, it’s to all of me, baby.
It means you choose me wholeheartedly, without reservation or any lingering what-ifs.
And I will give that in return. So be sure, Stells.
’Cause once I have you, I’m never letting go. Never.”
A single tear leaked from my eye.
“You’re a good man, Curtis. The very best of them.”
“If you could read my mind right now, you wouldn’t say that.”
I raised my palms to bracket his precious face and stared directly into his eyes, hoping my sincerity shone through.
“I love you, Curtis. I mean… truly love you. I always have. But…”
“But you must heal first?”
I bit into my lip and nodded, fucking hoping that I wasn’t making the worst decision of my life.
“I-I don’t want to lose you. I can’t. You might get tired of waiting—”
He scoffed. “I’ve loved you for most of my life, and I’ll love you for the rest of it. No matter what role I play, I’ll always be here. Always.”
And with that promise, we both cleaned up, got dressed in comfy clothes—in between dopey kisses, of course—then lay in bed.
Curtis didn’t stall or pause in awkward silence. Like always, he knew exactly what I needed and slipped in behind me, spooning me so closely I could feel his heartbeat… and his solid dick like a rock against my behind.
I wiggled, trying to get comfortable. So it wasn’t my fault when I accidently bumped his cock multiple times.
Curtis growled, and I giggled in reply, snuggling deeper into his chest.
Slumber soon weighed me down, my lids lapsing shut as, for the first time in a long time, I truly felt content.
Then, in the sexiest sleepy voice I’d ever heard, Curtis grumbled. “One day, you’re going to tell me about these dreams you’ve been having… in great detail.”
“I’d rather show you,” I whispered in a seductive tone. I couldn’t help but tease him one more time by pushing my ass back against him.
Curtis hissed, then nipped the base of my neck, causing tingles to cascade down my spine.
“Behave, baby. Before I pull those pants down and make you come again.”
“I don’t think I’d survive.”
“I’d make sure you do. Although you might have a stroke. How many times is it now? Don’t know if your blood pressure could handle another one.”
“Hmm. I guess we shouldn’t test fate.” I yawned.
“Sleep, baby. I’ve got you. I’m not going anywhere.”
Every single word rang with truth.
Curtis was my best friend, yet I desperately wanted him to be more. But he didn’t deserve a damaged, soon-to-be divorcee, technically still married to her ex.
He deserved everything. And that was what I intended to give.
All of me.