Full Throttle

Chapter 13

We walked around the empty house, Cherry chewing the inside of her cheek. I felt her worries and nerves kicking into overdrive as she opened cupboard doors, peering in and shutting them, only to open the same one again.

“Cherry,” I murmured. “Talk to me.”

“I love this house.”

“I know you do.”

We were viewing the same two-story place she had loved so much. It was our third visit. Since the day she’d been to the garage, our future together seemed to be moving ahead. Getting a house together was the next step, and I knew how much she loved this one. I wanted her to have it.

“But?” I prompted as she opened the cupboard again, looking inside at the empty shelves.

“Do we need all this space?”

“I think we can fill it. Especially if Josh comes for visits. You can bring the garden back to life. Josh can kick around a soccer ball, or maybe one day, we’ll add a pool.”

She turned and faced me fully. “And what if nothing happens and there is no Josh?”

I blew out a hard breath. “Then it’s me and you, Cherry. We can make this place ours. You’ll make it our home. Josh is the cherry, but you’re the whole cake and the icing. You love this place. I can afford it.”

“I’ll be part of the purchase. I want to share in this,” she insisted.

“Fine. We’ll go to the bank and do all the paperwork and buy it together. It will be ours. But you have to say yes to that…” I paused. I’d had no plans on doing this today. Here. Now. But the timing was perfect. “And you have to say yes to this.” I pulled a ring from my pocket, holding it up. Cherry’s eyes widened as I took her left hand in mine and slid it on, being careful not to hurt her arm. “Marry me, Cherry.”

“Marry you?” she repeated.

“Yes. Hannah gave me her blessing. I want you to marry me and move in to this house with me. We’ll build a life together. With each other.”

“It’s so fast.”

I laughed. “Once you were in my heart, Cherry, it was full throttle. I know what I want, so why wait?”

She looked at her hand, flexing her fingers gingerly. The oval emerald flanked by two smaller diamonds twinkled in the light. She furrowed her brow.

“You can have it all, Cherry. Us. A home. A life here close to Hannah. Me,” I added. “We can have it all together. All you have to do is say yes.” I lifted her hand and kissed it. “You don’t have to be alone anymore. Neither do I. Please, Cherry, marry me.”

She looked up, tears glistening. “Yes.”

I captured her mouth, kissing her.

“Let’s make an offer.”

Dom’s hand around mine was akin to a vise grip wrapped around my fingers. I squeezed his hand, leaning close as we waited for Halton.

“I need that hand, Dom. It’s the only working one.”

Instantly, he relaxed his grip. “Sorry.”

I smiled at him. “It’s okay. I understand.”

He stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. “I know you do.” He frowned, glaring at the door. “I wish you could come to this meeting.”

“I know,” I soothed. “But I can’t. Though, I’ll be waiting for you when it’s done.”

Halton walked through the door, his head up, shoulders back. He looked ready to fight. He stopped in front of us, shook Dom’s hand, and bent, kissing my cheek. “How are you?” he asked.

“I’m fine.”

“The arm giving you trouble?”

“I get an air cast tomorrow.”

“Good news. I understand congratulations are in order as well.”

I smiled, feeling the color creep under my skin.

Halton chuckled. “You crazy kids. I love it. A house. Engaged. Moving ahead. Perfect. It bodes well for this meeting.”

“How?” Dom asked, his voice tight.

“You’re settled. Getting married. Buying property. I have glowing character references from your employers, current and past. Excellent credit history. Personal references. All of this shows a stable, eager father. Judges, especially this judge, love that.”

“But Cherry can’t come in with me?”

“No. Roxanne can’t bring in anyone but counsel either. Why don’t you take Cherry to the coffee shop and get her settled, and I’ll meet you up on three, okay?”

Dom huffed, and I met Halton’s eyes. They were filled with understanding and determination. He lifted an eyebrow in encouragement.

“I’ll be fine. I have my Kindle, and I would love a coffee. I’ll be waiting.”

Halton nodded. “Great.”

Dom carried a tray, guiding me to the back of the crowded shop. A couple agreed to let me share their table, and he slid the tray down, helping me off with my coat. He dug out my Kindle and phone, fussing with the lid on the coffee and the package of cookies he’d insisted I needed.

I covered his hand. “I’m fine. Go upstairs and fight for your son. I’ll be right here.”

His shoulders dropped. “What if?—”

I shook my head. “Then we’ll deal with it. But Halton has this. I know it.”

He lowered his head and kissed me. “I love you, Cherry. Thank you for being here.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

With a huff of air, he stood and headed to the door. I watched him walk away, still in awe of how he looked in a suit. The dark navy looked great on him, and although nowhere near the caliber of the suit Halton wore, it looked good, fitting Dom’s broad shoulders and tapered waist well. He wore a white dress shirt and a patterned tie. He’d even pulled out a pair of dress shoes, and he looked every inch a respectable man.

A very sexy one, at that.

I couldn’t begin to fathom how much my life had changed in such a short time. Only weeks ago, I was missing Hannah terribly, disliking my job and the apartment I lived in. I was always alone, unless she was visiting or I went to see her, which, given her roommate status before Chase, wasn’t often. I never felt welcome at her old place. That all changed when she moved in with Chase. He’d driven into Toronto before the fire to ask for my blessing to marry her, and I was thrilled to give him my enthusiastic agreement. Last night, he’d come over to Dom’s, telling me his plans on proposing on her birthday, and I eagerly offered to help. I loved him and the way he treated my daughter.

And I was going to marry Dom. Live in a house I’d fallen in love with and build new memories. No longer alone, no longer missing my daughter. Everything I loved, everyone I loved, would be close. My life had finally changed, and I could put away the sorrow I always felt and live in the present, no longer wishing for the past.

And Chase had brought a surprise with him. My mother’s quilt. He and Dom had been allowed to enter the apartment briefly. Not much remained, but they got the blanket, my small jewelry box, and took the photos that hadn’t been destroyed. Chase told me that Brett’s girlfriend, Kelly, who was a photographer, was going to help restore the pictures when they came home from their trip. I’d lost my clothing and some items, but the quilt and the photos were worth so much more to me. The quilt had been treated and washed several times and was fine. I had been more than delighted.

“Excuse me.”

I blinked as my musings were interrupted, and I looked up, seeing a woman with a young boy beside her.

“Can my son sit with you?”

I had been so deep in thought, I hadn’t even noticed the couple leave the table. I was alone.

“Yours is the one table with an empty seat,” the woman explained.

“Oh, sure.”

“I have a meeting upstairs, and my babysitter canceled last minute,” she huffed.

“I told you, I don’t need a babysitter,” the boy objected, color blazing on his cheeks. “I can look after myself.”

“I’ll watch him while I’m here,” I assured her. “Happy to share my table.”

She pushed him toward a chair, and he sat down heavily, rolling his eyes. I tried not to laugh. I guessed him to be about twelve, and I remembered Hannah at that age, constantly trying to prove her independence. His mother handed him a knapsack. “Your games are in there. And a snack. Get a drink if you want or something else to eat, and I’ll be back as soon as I’m finished dealing with this.” He nodded.

“Thank you,” she added to me before hurrying away. The boy watched her, then reached into his knapsack for an iPad. He ignored me as he began to play something on it, and I sipped my coffee, opening my Kindle. I rested it on my cast that was now a little dirty and covered in drawings and funny jokes everyone at the garage had scribbled on to it. Dom wrote me love messages, and I enjoyed finding a new one from time to time.

“What did you do to your arm?”

I met the deep brown eyes of the young man across from me. His dark hair fell over his forehead, and he pushed it away impatiently, the gesture somehow familiar.

“Oh, I broke it falling over a table.”

“Were you drunk?” he asked, grinning.

“No. My apartment was on fire, and I couldn’t see where I was going.”

His eyes became round with curiosity. “You were in a fire?”

“Yes.”

“Were you scared?”

“Yes, I was. But my fiancé saved me.”

“Cool.”

He looked at my arm again. “What’s all the writing?”

“Oh, I work at a garage, and the guys write me jokes.”

“Like a mechanic shop?”

“Uh-huh,” I said, taking a sip of my coffee. He reminded me of someone. The shape of his eyes and face. The way one side of his mouth lifted a little higher than the other when he grinned. He was tall and lanky. Awkward. But he seemed nice. Polite.

“I love cars. Engines.”

“That’s what my fiancé does.”

“Wicked cool. I want to be a mechanic.” Then he snorted. “My mom wants me to be something better.”

“Better?”

“Someone who wears a suit and makes a ton of money.”

“Ah.”

“Can I see the jokes?”

“Sure.”

He shut off his game and slid closer. He traced the words on my cast as he read them to himself, chuckling over a few of the silly jokes. He had long fingers, his nails ragged and uncared for. I had a feeling his mother probably nagged him about the condition a lot.

He laughed out loud at one joke, the sound so familiar, I startled. I stared at him, then swallowed. “My name is Cherry. What’s yours?”

He grinned. “Josh.”

I tried to hide my shock. I was staring at Dom’s son. That was the reason he looked so familiar.

This was the boy Dom was upstairs fighting for the right to get to know. To be a part of his life.

His mother had dropped him off beside me.

“How old are you, Josh?”

“Thirteen.”

“Do you like school?” I asked, desperate for any information I could get to share with Dom.

“It’s fine. I like science and art. Math, no.”

“I like numbers.”

“It’s so complicated.”

I pulled a pen from my purse and wrote some problems on a napkin. He frowned. “It makes no sense.”

“What if you broke it down this way?” I asked.

He furrowed his brow as he looked at the numbers, tracing them the way he did with the words earlier. “Thirty-two?” he asked.

“Yes!”

“Give me another one.”

Time flew by as I taught him the way my dad had taught me, breaking down the equations into parts he could understand. Replacing numbers with objects. He was smart. Funny. I asked him question after question. His favorite color. Movie. Time of day. Memory.

He paused when I asked that. He looked around as if making sure he wasn’t overheard.

“I don’t know if it’s a memory. I’m at a park, and there’s a guy. He’s pushing me on the swing, then catching me on the slide. We have ice cream. It was sunny.”

“Who’s the guy?” I asked, my heart in my throat.

“I think it’s my dad, but it’s fuzzy. He left us—didn’t want me or my mom. I always wondered, if he didn’t want us, why he’d be so nice. So sometimes, I think it’s just me thinking and wishing.”

I clasped his hand. “I’m sure it’s real. You know, sometimes you don’t know the whole story.”

He shrugged. “I guess I never will.”

“Josh!” a voice called.

I looked up to see his mother striding toward us. She looked furious. “We’re going. Now.”

She was tall with light golden hair. Icy blue eyes. Pretty, in a hard way. Anxious to leave. She barely glanced at me. “Let’s go.”

“Nice to meet you, Josh.”

“You too,” he said. “Thanks for the math lessons.”

“I hope it helps.”

She tugged him away, not sparing me a glance. She pulled him through the café, disappearing through one door as Dom and Halton walked in through another one.

They came over, sitting down, and I reached for Dom’s hand. “Well?” I asked, hoping how angry Josh’s mom had been because things had gone well for Dom.

“I get to see him.” Dom’s voice was tight. “I get to see my son. I don’t know if I’ll even recognize him.”

I leaned close. “Dom, he was here.”

He gaped at me. “What?”

“His mom had to bring him with her. She asked if he could sit at my table. It took a few moments after she left, then I realized who he was. It was Josh.”

Halton chuckled. “I told you she was your good-luck charm.”

“You talked to him?”

“I did. He’s so amazing.”

Dom turned, gripping my hand. “Tell me everything.”

Dom studied the photo I showed him, his brow furrowed. I had snapped it as Josh had lifted his head from solving a problem. He had been smiling widely, proud of himself for understanding how to use the tools I had shown him. He looked so much like his father in the photo, and I knew Dom could see that.

“This is the clearest, most up-to-date photo I have,” he said thickly. “The ones I get from the lawyer are always blurry and older. He says Roxanne doesn’t have a decent camera.”

Halton scoffed. “She was carrying the same phone I have. Great camera. She’s playing a game.” He sat back, swinging his leg. “She likes games, that one. I know her type. Using the child to hurt her ex.” He shook his head. “Which, in the end, hurts the child as well.”

“You get to see him,” I prompted. “When?”

“Next Saturday. She’s bringing him to meet me at a restaurant we chose halfway for both of us at one. I get him for two hours. If he’s agreeable and it goes well, I get him for the whole day the following Saturday. Then overnight the week after.” Dom sighed. “I agreed to go slow so Josh isn’t overwhelmed. I don’t want him upset.”

“And the judge saw that. He also saw through all Roxanne’s objections. Her lies. Her obvious temper.” Halton smirked. “When I pulled out a few of the postmarked letters you’d sent to Josh that were returned, I thought she was going to lose it. He saw that as well. It really couldn’t have gone better. The fact that you kept all of it for him was huge, Dom. That you never stopped trying.” He smiled kindly. “That you were still putting him first, insisting Josh have a say in this. All of that counted. All of that mattered.” He stood. “I’ll leave you two, and I’ll see you on Saturday.”

“Thank you,” Dom said, rising to shake his hand.

Halton shook his hand and clapped him on the arm. “This is a good win, Dom. We’ll get you back in his life, and he’ll be the better for it.”

He bent and brushed a kiss on my cheek, whispering, “He’s pretty shaken up. I’m glad he has you.”

Dom sat beside me, once again picking up my phone and studying the picture. I rubbed his arm. “You okay, sweetheart?”

He smiled at my unexpected endearment. “I will be. I’m reeling, if I’m being honest.”

“I can understand that.”

“Halton was incredible. Precise. Authoritative. He ran over her lawyer and his underhanded manipulation like he was sipping a beer on the porch at the end of a day. Nothing fazed him. He knew what he needed to do, and he did it. I thought Roxanne was going to expire on the spot, she was so furious. He didn’t let a single remark pass without refuting it. The angrier she got, the wilder her accusations became, and he squashed every single one. I wish I could have taped it.”

“That must have been difficult to listen to.”

“Once upon a time, yes. Today, it meant nothing. I knew I couldn’t react. Halton warned me not to argue with her—to let it roll off my back. And he was right. The judge saw her temper and my calm. It was always that way, but she used to twist it around, making me sound like the crazy one.” He paused. “I hope she’s not done that to Josh.”

“He seems great. Smart. Articulate. Curious. Funny.”

“You’ll come with me next week?”

“Am I allowed?”

“Yes, I specifically had Halton state I would be with my fiancée. Roxanne can’t refuse.”

“Then I’m there.”

He leaned close and kissed me. “Thanks. Let’s go home.”

I gathered my purse and jacket, and we headed to the car. On the drive back to Lomand, his phone rang, and he answered on the Bluetooth.

“Dom speaking.”

“Dom, it’s Randy. The inspection was great. So, your offer stands. Congratulations, the house is yours.”

Dom met my shocked gaze fast then returned his attention to the road. “Even with the quick closing?”

“That was perfect for them.”

“Thanks, Randy. I’ll be in touch later.”

“Sounds good.”

Dom hung up and reached for my hand. “The house is ours, Cherry.”

“I can’t believe we got it.”

“It’s a great family house. Not a lot of young families moving in to the Lomand area right now. It’s been up for a while, and Randy was sure we would be successful. The inspection showed nothing, so it’s ours.” He grinned. “My kid and a house in one day. Halton is right—you’re my lucky charm.”

“I think you’re mine.”

He winked. “You know it.”

Today was Hannah’s birthday, and Chase had arranged a surprise party for her. I was grateful for the activity to take my mind off next Saturday. Meeting my son. I worked at the garage in the morning, while Cherry ran some errands. Chase was keeping Hannah busy all day, bringing her to the bar later, where we would all be waiting. She was going to be surprised. Everyone would be even more surprised when Chase proposed. Cherry was excited for Hannah and thrilled she’d found someone to share her life with.

We kept our engagement low-key, but our friends knew. They were thrilled, and Hannah was so excited about the fact that her mom would be living a few minutes away from her. I had shared my news about Josh, and they were all supportive and understanding, knowing how nervous I was about seeing him and his reaction to me. Cherry had printed off a copy of the picture she’d taken, and it was clipped above the desk in the office. Seeing it filled me with emotions, both sad and happy. He looked like a great kid, and I hated that I had missed so many years with him, but I was pleased to see he looked fine.

“How does it feel, knowing a week from today, you’ll be looking at him in the flesh?” Charly asked, sliding onto the stool beside me.

I met her curious gaze with a smile. “Scares the shit out of me that he’ll find me lacking,” I replied honestly. “Or that I won’t have the patience to deal with him. I remember thirteen. I was a little bastard with an attitude.”

Charly laughed, tilting her head back, her bright-red hair falling over her shoulders. “I think we all were. I thought I knew everything when I was a teenager.” She rubbed my shoulder. “But you’ll be fine, Dom. You’ll have Cherry with you. It might be tough at first, but you’ll figure it out.” She smiled. “He’s going to be nervous too.”

I rubbed my face. “I know. I have no idea what lies she’s been telling him all these years. He might hate me because she’s taught him to.”

Cherry walked in, hearing my last words. “Then we’ll unteach him. You’ll find common interests. He loves cars, he told me. Bring him here and let him see what you do. I bet that breaks the ice.”

Charly nodded, looking enthused. “Great idea. He can see you in action. Watch the guys working. He’ll have tons of questions, and you can talk to him about something he loves. That can be your bridge.”

I rubbed my chin. “Good idea.”

Charly and Cherry exchanged a knowing look, making me laugh. “You ladies are awesome.”

Charly stood and sniffed. “Of course we are. I keep telling you that.”

She hugged Cherry. “I’m so excited about tonight. Hannah is gonna be so surprised.”

Cherry smiled. “I know. It’s so hard not to call her and wish her a happy birthday, but I’m afraid I’ll slip and say something. Chase has worked so hard to keep this a secret. Last night, I mentioned I was busy all day and would call her tonight. She probably thinks I’ve forgotten.”

“She’ll forgive you,” I assured her.

Charly chuckled. “Yes, she will. What time are you heading to the bar to decorate it?”

“About three.”

“Great. Maxx will stay with the kids, and I’ll meet you there. Stefano’s sister is coming to babysit all the kids tonight so we can all be there.”

I laughed. “That’s a handful.”

“I know. But she insisted. Gabby says she’s bringing her eldest daughter, who loves kids, so they’ll be fine. I told them I’d have my cell on in case. And Mama Rosa would leave the party and help if needed,” Charly added.

“Good plan.”

“I’m not missing my boy getting engaged,” she added. “And Brett is flying home to be there. It’s going to be an epic party.”

I had to agree. Only a few of us knew about Brett flying in. Even fewer knew the reason he was coming. Chase was playing his cards close to his chest about the engagement. Charly was his closest ally, and she was in on the secret. To say she was thrilled with the way his life was going was an understatement. She loved Chase as if he were her own. She was his friend, pseudo-mother, and most trusted adviser wrapped up in a blunt, ferocious, tiny, redheaded package.

Charly left with a wave, and I looped my arm around Cherry. “Got everything you needed?”

“Yes. All the decorations and balloons, the cake, everything on Chase’s list.”

“He’s going all out.”

She smiled softly. “He loves her a lot.”

I pulled her close. “I love you.”

She kissed me. “I know.”

“When you gonna marry me?”

Cherry rolled her eyes. “You only asked me a couple of weeks ago. How about we move, you get to know your son, then we’ll talk about a date?”

“You want a big wedding?”

“No, that’s for Hannah. I’d be happy with just us, a few friends, and a nice dinner.”

“What about a honeymoon?”

She pursed her lips. “I’d rather spend the time at the house.”

“A night in a fancy hotel first?” I asked. “Somewhere with a big tub where I can ravish you?”

Cherry laughed. “I could be persuaded.”

I winked at her. “Prepare yourself then, woman.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Okay, then.”

We danced together, Cherry beaming in delight. The party had gone well, Hannah surprised and overwhelmed. Chase’s proposal had been heartfelt and romantic, and everyone had applauded loudly. He had been shocked and thrilled when Brett and Kelly had shown up. The evening had been a success.

“Mother and daughter engaged a few weeks apart,” I murmured. “Not a usual occurrence.”

Cherry laughed, her fingers tightening on my waist. “I suppose not.”

“And engaged to friends.”

She looked around the room, smiling at all the familiar faces. “I feel as if I got a new family,” she admitted. “They’re an amazing group.”

I had to agree. “Charly encourages that atmosphere. I think it’s astonishing.” I bent and kissed her mouth. “If someone had told me a year ago I’d be holding the love of my life, getting married, and being given a new family, as well the chance to rebuild my relationship with Josh, I would never have believed them.”

Cherry’s lovely eyes were warm and filled with emotion. “The same goes for me. Hannah is well and happy. Working in a safe place. She’s in love and getting married. I have a new job, a new place to live, and I get to do it with the sexiest man in the room.” She paused. “One I love with all my heart and who I can’t wait to share a life with.”

I pulled her closer.

“A year ago, I was so alone. I hated so much of my life,” she admitted softly. “I worried about Hannah constantly. I never thought the future held anything good for me. Until I met you.” She laid her head on my chest, holding me tight. “I love you, Dominic Salvatore.”

I pulled her into the corner, lifting her chin and kissing her. “I need to take you home now, Cherry G. Show you how much I love you.”

She grinned. “Good idea.”

I pulled her behind me, and we stopped to say good night to a few people. The party was winding down, and I knew Chase, Brett, Maxx, and Stefano would sit and catch up with one another. Charly and Gabby would pull their husbands away to their homes and children after a while. I needed Cherry alone now. No one looked surprised. We got hugs and promises to see one another the next day for an impromptu barbecue. We’d catch up with everyone then.

In the meantime, I had plans for Cherry.

And none of them involved much sleep.

By the following weekend, I was a nervous wreck. I was having trouble sleeping, worried and anxious. Cherry was patient, understanding my tension. Friday night, I sat on the sofa, unable to sleep. I left Cherry in bed and paced for a while before sitting down. I let my shoulders fall forward, weaving my fingers together on the back of my head, stretching the sore muscles. I startled when Cherry sat next to me, rubbing my back. She didn’t speak, but offered me the comfort of her touch.

“What if he hates me?” I said, finally expressing my fears out loud. “What if she’s poisoned him against me so much, I don’t have a chance?”

“Then we’ll un-poison him.”

“What if he won’t talk to me?”

“We’ll find common ground.”

“What if he refuses to see me again?”

“Then we’ll wait. You can give Halton letters for him. This time, you’ll know he gets them.”

“I’m fucking frightened, Cherry.”

“I know, sweetheart,” she soothed. “But I’m here. We’re going to get through this.”

I kept hearing one word repeated in her calm assurances. We. It reminded me of one very big difference from the past.

I wasn’t alone in this anymore.

Halton was in my corner.

And so was Cherry.

He was looking after the legalities, and she was handling all the rest.

Me.

I turned to her, meeting her calm gaze. She rested her head on my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm around her. “What would I do without you, Cherry G?”

“You don’t have to find out.”

I pulled her to my lap so she straddled me. I captured her mouth with mine, kissing her. Tasting her sweetness. Her love. The way she cared for me.

She made me feel important. Seen. She gave me the courage to do this, no matter the result. Because she would be there with me.

I deepened the kiss. I had been needy and physical with her all week. Taking her nightly, not always gentle. But right now, all I felt for her was love. Tenderness. The joy of knowing she was here and mine.

Our tongues slid together in a leisurely dance, igniting my desire. I slipped my hands under the loose T-shirt she wore, stroking her back. I glided my fingertips over the dips and curves of her spine, feeling the delicate bones that held such strength. I widened my hands, marveling at the silkiness of her skin. The roundness of her hips. The warmth of her neck. I cupped her ass, groaning when I realized she was naked under the shirt. I dipped lower, finding her heat. The slickness of her coating my fingers.

“You want me, baby?” I whispered, kissing my way up her neck and pulling at her lobe with my teeth, swirling my tongue on the sensitive skin behind her ear.

“Yes,” she pleaded, grinding herself on my hard cock. “I need you.”

“I need you too,” I hissed as she tugged on the waistband of my boxers. I lifted my hips so she could push away the offending material and settle herself back on my thighs, her smooth skin rubbing on my coarser legs.

I kissed her again, holding her close, needing her heat to warm me. I tangled my hand into her thick hair, loving the feeling of her curls on my skin. I fisted the long locks, groaning in satisfaction as she gripped me, guiding me into her body. We both stilled as I slid in, our eyes locked, the connection between us growing stronger every second. Nothing compared to being inside her. Feeling her wrapped around me. The way her muscles gripped me tightly. The feeling of home in being so intimate with her. Never had I experienced a connection the way I did with Cherry.

She gripped my shoulders as she began to move. Slowly rolling her hips, holding me inside her body, taking me deeper. I grabbed her hips, guiding her. Needing to be as connected with her as possible. Our movements were slow. Gradual. Building. We never separated, moving together, holding each other. Close, always close. Our gazes locked in the dim light, her love blazing from her eyes. I knew mine met her passion with the same intensity. We didn’t talk, our sounds filling the room. The creak of the sofa, the rubbing of the fabric around us. Her soft whimpers, my needy groans. Her name a breath from my mouth, mine whispered like a prayer from hers. I worshipped her the way she deserved to be worshipped, giving her everything I could offer with my body. I slipped a hand between us, teasing her clit, and she came, stiffening her spine and strangling my cock. I rode it out, wanting more from her. For her. I pulled her mouth back to mine, kissing her deeply. Capturing her oxygen and using it as my own. She returned my kisses with a passion that shocked me. Delighted me on every level. She began to move faster, her moans and whimpers getting louder. I wrapped an arm around her waist, the pleasure beginning to wind through my body. My balls drew up, color exploding behind my eyes as I orgasmed, locked inside her so deeply, I knew I was about to be blown away with pleasure.

I shattered, soaring high, not caring about the fallout. She screamed her release into my mouth, and we succumbed together, burning bright. Hot. Filled with love, desire, and, finally, completion. Never had I experienced such intensity. Never had an orgasm gone on so long.

Until we hit the ground.

Shivering, shaking, holding each other tightly.

Unable to speak. To move.

To try to explain what had just happened.

Because no words could properly express the intensity and emotion of it.

I pulled the blanket off the back of the sofa and draped it around us. We sat utterly motionless and silent, me still inside her, not wanting to move.

Until she cleared her throat.

“Wow.”

I pressed a kiss to her head. “Wow is right.”

“I’m not sure what that was. Aside from amazing.”

“You took the words right out of my mouth.”

She yawned, cuddling into my chest. “We should go to bed.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Do you think you could sleep now?”

“I’m not sure I can move.”

“Then we’ll stay here.”

I chuckled. “That can’t be too comfortable.”

“I’m okay.”

With a Herculean effort, I stood, not surprised to find my legs shook. “I need you to be more than okay.”

“Don’t trip on your underwear.”

That made me laugh, and somehow, I kicked them off from my ankles, carried her to bed, and crawled in after her. She wrapped her arms around me, and I rested my head on her chest, listening to her heartbeat.

“I love you, Cherry.”

I felt her smile.

“I know.”