43. Alex
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
alex
Breathing in her hair, the hint of vanilla and floral floods my nose, smelling exactly like home. She’s my home. The person I want to wake up next to every morning. Fall asleep beside every night. The one I want to share the good, bad, and mundane of life with.
Without thinking, I blurt out, “Move in with me.”
I release my grip on Chelsi and take a step back, hoping to gauge her reaction to my completely spur-of-the-moment idea.
Her eyes widen as her mouth drops open in utter disbelief.
Shit. Did I screw this up already? Anxiety roars through me with the fury of a summer storm as every muscle in my body freezes, preparing for the repercussions of my foolish idea.
What was I thinking? Clearly nothing, if I thought asking her to live with me was a smart choice when I wasn’t sure twenty minutes ago how she would react to hearing me say I love you for the first time.
Chelsi’s mouth opens and closes like she’s going to say something, but no words come out.
Yep. Totally fucked this one up.
Blowing out a deep breath, I cover my face with my hand and look down. How the hell do I fix this situation? Can I take back what I said? Or is the toothpaste out of the tube?
I close my eyes tightly for a few seconds before lifting my head and looking into her eyes. “Chelsi, I—”
“Do you mean it?” she asks, her bottom lip quivering. “That you love me and want me to live with you?”
I can’t lie to her. I won’t lie to her even if it scares her away.
“Yes. I do love you. It was always my intention to tell you that tonight.” I pause, taking her hands in mine.
“I didn’t plan on asking you to move in.
That was more of a spontaneous decision, but it doesn’t make it any less true.
I love having you here with me. Coming home to you.
Waking up next to you. Although it may seem sudden, you’ve become my home. Not a place—you.”
She looks at the ceiling for a few seconds before meeting my gaze again. “Yes.”
I swallow hard. “Yes, what? I’m going to need the words, Chelsi.”
She steps forward, her chest brushing against mine. “Yes, I’ll move in with you. I don’t want to wait to start our life together, Alex. I’m done waiting.”
Pure unadulterated joy takes over my body as my heart beats faster than ever, and the biggest grin splits my face. I pick her up with my hands under her butt and spin her around as she giggles.
“Excited a little bit?” she teases, smiling down at me.
Setting her on the floor, I cup her face. “You have no idea, Chelsi. This is the best goddamn day of my life.”
“Mine, too,” she whispers, placing a gentle kiss on my lips. “I love you, Alex.”
“I love you, gorgeous.”
Threading a hand through her hair, my lips meet hers once again in a slow, passionate kiss.
The kind you have when you know you have all the time in the world.
That this kiss is the first of countless ones you’ll have with this person.
The pace of a couple in love, planning to spend the rest of their days together.
The longer we kiss, the more our hands wander as we slowly begin taking off each other’s clothes.
Her shirt falls to the floor, followed by mine.
Then her bra drops as she unbuttons my pants and slides them down my legs.
My fingers dance under the top of her leggings for a few seconds before I pull them off in one swift tug, stepping out of my pants at the same time.
Without a word, I take her hand and lead her into my bedroom—our bedroom—leaving the lights off except for the soft glow emitting into the room from the hallway.
She stands with her calves against my bed, looking at me full of longing and love.
I try to memorize this moment, capture it as a mental picture—one I can refer to whenever we’re apart.
I want to remember everything about this night.
The words she said. The happiness on her face.
The way my soul came alive for the first time. All of it.
Placing her hands on my bare chest, she leans forward and peppers my jawbone with soft kisses. When she reaches my ear, she whispers, “Make love to me, Alex.”
My heart skips a beat, and my breath stills.
Although we’ve had sex countless times, it’s always been about pleasing one another.
This will be different. The speed at which I take her.
The position we’re in. The emotions we’re feeling.
It’ll be the first time I’ve made love to anyone.
The first time for her, too. And we get the privilege to experience it together.
My hands reach for her hips, sliding down her red lace underwear and helping her step out of them.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful. I’m so grateful I get to call you mine.
” As I stand, I let my fingertips trail up her thigh, dipping into her wet folds and finding her soaked for me.
“God, you’re perfect. Always ready to take me. ”
She nods, tugging on my boxers until they fall to my feet. Her eyes focus on my cock as it springs forward, thick and hard because of her.
As I climb onto the bed, Chelsi lies on her back in the middle of the mattress with her head turned toward me. From the nightstand drawer, I grab a condom.
“You don’t have to wear one. Not anymore,” she says softly, her eyes locked on mine.
“I’ve never done this without one.”
“Me, neither. It could be another first for us if it’s something you want.” She pauses, biting he lower lip. “I’m on birth control, and my last test was clean.”
Silence hangs in the air. I can’t breathe.
Or move. I don’t know what to say. What she’s offering is more than I could ever imagine.
Just when I think this evening can’t get any more memorable, she asks me to make love to her bare.
For the first time. To be the only man who has ever had her this way.
“Forget I said anything.” There’s a hint of remorse in her voice as she turns away.
I toss the condom onto the floor, adjusting my position on the bed until I’m caging her in. Gently, my fingers tilt her chin until she’s looking directly at me. “I’m honored you’d want to do this with me. I love you, Chelsi.”
After lining my cock up with her entrance, I push in slowly, allowing myself to enjoy the feeling of her bare pussy wrapped around me.
There’s an increased pressure compared to when I wear a condom, building my pleasure with each inch.
I’m not going to last long this first time.
The sensations and emotions are too strong.
“Oh my God, Alex. This feels incredible. You feel…”
“I know, baby. Nothing else compares.”
Her hand cups my cheek. “I love you, Alex. Today. Tomorrow. Always.” She kisses me softly, sending a tingle from my lips to my toes. “Now, fuck me like you love me.”
“Whatever you want, gorgeous.” I thrust my hips, moving at a slow pace. Savoring every second and not taking my eyes off her.
At the same time as the pressure at the base of my spine begins to build, she pulls up her leg, allowing me to reach a different angle. It unleashes something within me, causing me to increase my speed, driving into her harder and faster than before without breaking eye contact.
“Holy shit, Alex,” she moans, arching off the bed. “I’m getting so close… I never thought I could…not in this position.”
Her words egg me on, wanting to be the first and only man who makes her orgasm this way. When I press her leg closer to her chest, I’m able to hit a deeper spot that causes her eyes to roll back into her head.
“Oh my God. Just like that,” she pants.
“Come for me, Chelsi. Show me what it feels like when the love of my life comes on my bare cock.”
A series of indescribable sounds flows from her mouth as her pussy clenches around me, squeezing me tighter until I fall right over the edge with her. Painting her pussy walls with my cum. Marking her as mine. Permanently.
I pull out and collapse on the bed, wrapping my arms around her. “That was unbelievable.”
“Uh-huh. Definitely never going to forget that.” She smiles and snuggles in closer. “Might need to change the sheets later because I can feel you leaking out of me.”
I chuckle, running my fingers through her hair. “Is it wrong to admit that I love you talking about my cum dripping out of you?”
“Nope. I kinda like it. It makes me feel like you’ve staked a claim on me. There’s something oddly erotic and heartwarming about it.”
“Keep talking like that, and you’ll have me hard in no time.”
“I don’t see the downside,” she teases, dragging her fingers up and down my chest. “When would you like me to move in with you? We can wait as long as you need to feel comfortable.”
“Well, I’d say tonight, but I plan on spending the rest of the night in bed with you after we finish dinner. So, I guess tomorrow works, if that’s okay with you.” I hold my breath, praying she isn’t having second thoughts and won’t freak out about the timeline I’m suggesting.
“While I love your enthusiasm, I don’t think trying to pack up all my belongings on a workday is realistic.”
I give her a pouty face, sticking my bottom lip out as far as possible.
“Don’t worry. I’ll stay here every night until you leave for tour this weekend.
Then, I can talk to Kate about moving in with you and start packing my things.
I also need to determine what to do with my stuff in Chicago…
” She pauses momentarily, pressing her lips together.
“There’s a lot to think about it. All my furniture. Where it goes.”
“Hey, look at me.” I place my hand on her cheek.
“We’ll take it one day at a time. We’ll start by having you move in here.
We can figure out whether we need to get a bigger place when my lease is up.
We’ll get a storage unit if needed. I’m happy to use as much of your furniture as you want. Whatever makes you feel at home.”
Her eyes sparkle. “You make me feel at home.” She lets out a soft sigh.
“Speaking of home, will you come meet my parents for the holiday weekend? They already know about us, but I think it’s probably time for them to officially meet you since we’re going to be living together and planning a future. ”
I gulp, overwhelmed with the emotions flooding through me. “I’d love… I’d love to meet your parents.”
“Good. They’re pretty laidback compared to most, but don’t be surprised if my mom starts asking about your intentions. I get my interrogation skills from her.”
I furrow my brow, confused because I thought I made my intentions about Chelsi extremely clear.
“Don’t worry, she won’t immediately pressure us to get married or anything like that. But it wouldn’t surprise me if she tries to get your thoughts on the subject.”
My muscles tense as my heart begins to pound harder.
Chelsi props herself up on her elbow. “Don’t freak out. My parents are going to love you.”
“I know you say that, but there’s a lot about my past you don’t know. Things I should probably tell you.”
She shakes her head. “My parents won’t judge you based on your history.
Neither will I. I know this is all new for you.
I know meeting my parents may be overwhelming, given your childhood, but I promise you everything will be fine.
Just like me, they’re only going to care about the man you are today.
I’m happy to hear whatever you want to tell me about your past, but nothing you say will change how I feel about you. ”
“It’s just… I didn’t grow up in a family like yours. No one looked out for me,” I reply, trying to find the words to convey what my life was like before her.
She smiles softly, gazing into my eyes. “I will look out for you. Today and always. You’re mine, Alex.”
Her mouth crashes against mine, and we spend the next few hours worshipping each other’s bodies and confessing our love over and over again. Not stopping until we’re both exhausted.
This was the best day of my life. One I’ll cherish forever. All I have to do now is ensure I don’t mess it up. That I don’t let my past decisions disrupt what we have. That I don’t allow my lack of seeing healthy relationships and family life cause problems for us down the road.
Prove to her that spending a lifetime with me is worth it.
I can do this.
For her.
For us.