18. Merlin
18
MERLIN
Through her tears, Leila stares into my eyes as if she’s trying to see into my soul. As if she’s searching for something – for what I don’t know. And I have no idea whether she finds it or not but, whatever it is, she seems to come to a decision after long, excruciating minutes of silent scrutiny.
“I never thought I’d ever see you again after you left. I had to learn to exist without you, because there was no living without you in my life. I will give you another chance because I’m too weak not to take this second chance we’ve been given. But Kyle, know this. If you ever hurt me like that again, I will kill your sorry ass myself. I’m willing to risk the jail time for murder.”
Relief at her words pours through me – I thought she was going to listen to what I had to say, then boot me out of her apartment and life forever. Giddy with it, I can’t help but laugh at her words. A dangerous move, but I simply can’t help it.
Catching her up in my arms, I swing her around, peppering her face with kisses. “I love you, sweetness. You will never know how much. I will do my level best to show you every day, in every way.”
“Kyle, stop. Baby, you need to put me down. I’m going to be ill.”
“Oh shit. I totally forgot,” I say, dashing down the hall with her in my arms.
We make it to the bathroom in time, and I hold her hair out of the way as she empties her stomach. I feel like such an ass. Here I’ve just been promising not to hurt her again, and the first thing I do is make her sick. Not my best moment.
When she’s done, Leila slumps against the wall and rests her head there. I jump up, rinse a washcloth, wring it out, and lay it over her forehead.
“Sorry, sweetness. I’m already messing up. I was just so damn excited you’re willing to give me another chance I completely forgot about your concussion.”
“It’s okay, I get it. Do you think you could give me a hand to my bed? I need to lie down a second.”
I pick her up and carry her to her bedroom as if lifting a fragile treasure. Laying her down gently, I go down to my haunches beside the bed. “Rest. I’m going to dash down to the market for dinner ingredients. I won’t be long. If you need me, call. I’ll put my number in your phone.”
She nods. As I go to stand, she grabs my hand to stop me. “Kyle?”
“Right here, sweetness.”
“I love you. I’m really glad you’re back. Please don’t break my heart again, okay?”
For the first time since Maverick died, I feel tears prick at my eyes. I don’t know what I did to ever deserve the first chance with this woman, let alone this second chance. But, as God is my witness, I am going to let her know every single damn day how grateful I am and how much she means to me.
“I love you too. More than I will ever be able to express in words. But I intend to show you every day for the rest of our lives together. Rest now.” Standing, I drop a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay.” She closes her eyes, curling into a tight ball.
I wait a couple minutes for her to drift off – I can’t quite make myself leave. When her breathing evens out in sleep, I stand for a little longer enjoying the simple pleasure of watching her sleep. Then I head out to the grocery store after programming my number into her phone.
Leila’s still sleeping when I get back from the grocery run, so I get a start on dinner. Nothing fancy, just a grilled steak and some steamed veggies. I’ve just put the lid back on her small kettle barbecue after packing it with charcoal and am looking for the torch lighter to ignite it when I hear a noise inside the apartment. I look up to find her standing in her living room, watching me through the open sliding door to her patio.
“Hey, sweetness. You feeling a bit better?”
She shuffles my way, tiredness still heavy on her face. “I thought I’d dreamed you.”
It guts me that I did this to us – to her. I go over and wrap her up in my arms, holding her close to my heart. “Nope. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Leila sighs deeply and snuggles into my embrace. It makes me want to bang on my chest and shout from the rooftops. I feel ten feet tall. This show of trust means everything to me. Everything .
Tilting her head, she looks up at me. “Kiss me.”
I grin down at her. “Yes, ma’am,” is all I say before doing as I’m told.
The kiss burns hot from the start, Leila giving as good as she gets. Eventually we have to break apart to catch our breath. As we stand there, my forehead resting against hers, she sighs. “It sucks we don’t have any protection.”
I can’t deny I’m shocked at her words, and more than a little turned on.
“Um, we do now.” She quirks an eyebrow at me. “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t intend to jump your bones first chance I got. I bought some on a whim at the market earlier. For down the road a ways, when you’re ready. You know I like to be prepared.”
“Yeah, it’s the SEAL in you, I guess.” She slips her arms around my waist. “It’s been so long, Kyle. Make love to me?”
There is zero chance I’m turning her down, so I’m thankful I’ve yet to put on the steaks. Because you can bet your last dollar, they damn sure would have burned with an offer like that on the table. Taking her hand, I lead Leila back into her apartment and down the hall after locking the patio door.
Maybe it is the SEAL in me.
Tenderly, I undress her, savoring the moment. When she stands completely naked before me, I allow myself the pleasure of soaking up the beautiful sight. Leila shifts from foot to foot, a clear sign she’s nervous. I shuck my clothes as quickly as I can before reaching out a hand to cup her cheek.
“Kyle, I don’t want slow and sweet. I need it hot and quick. I’ve missed you, and I don’t want to wait anymore.” Leila just keeps surprising me today. Her words fan the flames already burning, into a conflagration.
“Any way you want it, baby.”
Gliding my hands up the silky soft skin of her legs, I marvel at the contrast between hers and mine. I love that she’s soft to my hard. When I reach the apex of her thighs, I groan at finding her wet and ready for me.
I slip first one finger into her and then another. Her tight little pussy greedily clings to my fingers. I know she asked for hot and quick, but the last thing I want to do is hurt her the first time we’re together after five years apart. I set a rhythm that has Leila riding my hand, one of her own hands weaving through the strands of my hair, holding on.
“Please, Kyle. I need you.” Her eyes plead for release as she looks up at me, the gorgeous orbs already glazed over with desire.
“I’ve got you, sweetness. Give me a second to grab a condom.”
I go over to my go bag and dig one out of the box I threw in there earlier. Returning to where Leila’s standing, she makes a “gimme” gesture, and I hand the condom to her. She rips the foil open and rolls the latex over my straining cock.
I’m so hard, her touch is almost painful. But once the condom’s on, I hitch one of her legs high up on my hip and slowly ease into her, giving her a chance to adjust around me. When I’m all the way in, I pause. It’s been a long time for me too. Leila’s leg rubs restlessly along my outer thigh, urging me to move.
It doesn’t take us long to find our rhythm, shared years ago yet never forgotten.
I pull out until just the tip rests inside her. Looking down at where our bodies are barely joined, I clench my teeth at the erotic sight. I want to rut on Leila like some wild animal but need to be careful not to jostle her too much.
She severely tests my limits of endurance when she latches onto one of my nipples, swirling her tongue over the stiffened peak. I can’t stop the groan of pleasure.
The sound seems to only encourage her, and she scrapes a nail down the other nipple as her mouth pulls strongly on the first. Lips wet and shiny from her ministrations, Leila looks up at me.
“Fuck me.”
“Eyes on me, sweetness. Don’t close them. I want to see you come.”
Leila nods and I move. Hot and fast, just as the lady ordered. Eyes locked, I thrust in and out, slamming all the way each time I sink into her.
Higher and higher we climb together, completely lost in each other. I get caught up in her passion-glazed gaze and feel myself tighten. My release is imminent; I can feel the tell-tale tingle begin in the base of my spine.
“Are you with me, sweetness?” I whisper.
Leila nods, her eyes unfocused as she reaches the edge of the cliff, ready to freefall. I can see her fight the pull to close them, but her gaze never wavers.
I weave the fingers of my left hand through hers, and with the fingers of my right hand, I reach between our joined bodies, coaxing her ever higher. She is a glorious sight to behold in the throes of passion.
“Come for me, sweetness. I want to feel you come all over my cock. Come with me.”
My words are like setting a match to gun powder. The walls of her tight channel clamp down on me like a fist. Gripping me hungrily, demanding my release in return.
With a growl, I give in to her demand, and my own orgasm crashes through me. Clenching my teeth, I hold myself still and ride the waves of pleasure that wash through me, so intense they leave me breathless.
Not wanting to fall on my ass or, worse, fall on Leila, I grip the luscious globes of her ass and lift her, trying not to lose our connection. I successfully make it over to the bed and as I collapse onto it, I roll so as not to crush Leila under my weight.
I tuck her under my chin and lay there, soaking in the simple joy of having her in my arms again as I try to catch my breath. She snuggles into my embrace, her head resting on my shoulder, and all is right with my world.