43. Salt
FORTY-THREE
SALT
My heart raced as I sat in the line for the airport. I’d already circled around three times, counting down the minutes until I saw her.
I pulled into an empty spot and looked up at the doors.
There she is.
Pepper walked out and ran straight for me.
I got out of the car quickly and met her in three long strides, lifting her up as her arms wound around my neck. I inhaled the scent of her, holding her tight.
“I’m sorry,” she breathed out.
“I am too,” I said.
“For what?” she asked as she leaned back.
“Well, for one, I ruined your trip. I promise that next time you leave for a few days, I won’t completely lose it.” I was still recovering from the whiplash of that fucking text message, the aftermath, and then the phone call.
The relief I’d felt had been immeasurable, but then I made a choice.
I put her down, but still kept her close, tipping her head up. Her eyes were red and I knew she was exhausted. We’d both fallen asleep on the phone last night, but I was certain we’d only slept three hours or so. Her flight back home was insanely early, but I was thankful she was standing here in front of me now.
I needed to tell her what I was feeling. Nancy and Beth had stitched me back together last night, but it made me realize just how much more work I still had to do.
I drew in a deep breath and then squared my shoulders. “Because of you, I’ve realized that I have been living with this feeling of being cursed for too long. And because of you, I want to be better. I want to do better.”
“Salt, you’re already more than good enough,” she said, her eyes searching mine.
“I still don’t feel it though. And I’m making the promise here and now that I’m going to change that,” I said. “I want my future to be with you. I want to wake up next to you, believing that even if you do leave my side, you’ll come back.”
“I will,” she said. “They can say whatever they want about us. I don't care if they say that I'm too old, or we're too different, or we're wrong for each other. I don't care if they say I'm cold, or I shouldn't have desires, or I should be professional. None of it matters when I'm with you, and I want that forever. I'm choosing you.”
“I choose you too,” I whispered.
Our lips brushed against each other as we kissed, and that kiss spun out of control, consuming us in its flames. I’d never get enough of her.
“Take me home,” she rasped. “I need you. I need to feel you. Please . We’ll figure everything else out afterward, but right now I just need you .”
I needed her too. “Your place or mine?”
“Mine,” she said. “I have to go to Tommy’s later. We’re firing Jeff, but need to make a plan. I’m going to have Ellen meet us, too. You should come with us.”
“Would that be okay?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I don’t care. I’m pulling the CEO card, because I am the CEO. I’m going to do whatever the fuck I want, especially after this weekend.”
“I support that,” I chuckled, stealing one more kiss. I glanced back at the car and wrinkled my nose. “We better go before people start honking.”
I picked up her suitcase and carried it to my car, opening the door for her. She slid into the passenger seat, and I stowed her bag in the back. Less than thirty minutes later, I parked in the garage beneath her apartment building.
I was counting down the seconds until I was able to hold her. She drummed her fingers on her thighs as we took the elevator up, and the moment her front door clicked shut behind us, I backed her against the wall, her lips meeting mine.
“Fuck,” she gasped. “You have no idea how much I've missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too. I was losing my mind. I think Saturday night may have broken me.”
“I still can't believe he sent that message,” she said. “I’m so sorry. I didn't realize what happened, he deleted everything.”
It’d been a nightmare. I hated that bastard more than I thought possible. “I know, baby. You don't need to explain, we've already talked through it. None of that matters right now. All that matters is that we're together.”
“I’m yours,” she said, kissing me harder.
My cock throbbed in response, and I knew I needed her. I needed to feel her wrapped around me, buried in her silken heat. It’d been too long since I touched her. If I didn’t have her now, I was going to go insane.
The sense of urgency drove both of us. She tugged my shirt overhead. Her hands ran down my chest, tracing my tattoos as her dark eyes swept up to mine, pleading for more.
Fuck . “I need you now, or I’m going to die,” I said.
“ Yes .”
We stripped as we made our way to the bedroom, tossing our clothes to the floor, our mouths fused together.
“I’m yours,” she whimpered.
A growl left me as I pushed her back onto the bed. The mattress bounced, her legs spreading for me, giving me a perfect view of her pussy. I reached down, stroking myself as I knelt between her thighs.
“Say it again,” I demanded.
“I’m yours,” she said, stretching out as I crawled on top of her. “Please fuck me. I need you now . I need to be with you. I need to come after everything has happened.”
I needed her just as badly. All of the fear and desperation that I’d felt, all of the thoughts that had circulated through my head and turned into a hurricane that ripped me apart—all of them came together and disappeared beneath her touch.
I leaned down, kissing up her body, her skin soft to my lips. She sucked on her breath, her hips moving impatiently.
“Please,” she begged.
I trailed more kisses up to her breasts, pausing to suck and play with each of them, and then lined my cock up with her pussy. I reached down between us, rubbing the head over her clit, and then lower, feeling how wet she was.
“Fuck,” I gasped.
“I told you,” she said. “I need you.”
“I know, baby.”
In one swift thrust, I filled her all the way to the hilt. Her cry echoed through the room, blending with my grunt as pleasure rocked through both of us. Her pussy gripped my cock, pulsing around me, slick and hot.
It wasn't just a physical connection though. It was a connection of our hearts, finally being together again, and knowing that everything was going to be okay.
Knowing that we chose each other.
Her lips parted on a gasp as I pulled my hips back, dragging my cock out of her before thrusting back in. Every movement was measured, even with the desperation that burned in my veins.
I wanted to savor every second with her. The way her dark hair splayed out over the blankets, the sounds she made, the way her eyes never left me as I pumped in and out, claiming every inch of her.
I wrapped my arms around her and surprised us both by rolling over onto my back, seating her on top of me. Her hands planted on my chest, her eyes widening slightly.
And then she began to rock, taking me at her own pace. The hunger in her expression mirrored the same hunger I felt, our bodies melding with every cherished movement.
“I’m so close,” she whimpered, her hips moving faster.
“Come for me,” I moaned, cupping her breasts and teasing her nipples.
“Choke me,” she gasped. “Please.”
Fuck . I slid my hand around her throat, gently squeezing the sides. Her pussy was pulling me closer and closer to the edge, and right as she started to come, my own orgasm stormed through me. We cried out together, our voices creating a melody as I filled her with every last drop.
“I love you,” she said as she fell forward.
I sucked in a breath, grabbing a fistful of her hair and making her look up at me. Her eyes widened, her cheeks turning more red as I searched her expression.
“I love you too,” I whispered. “I love you, Pepper.”
Tears filled her eyes and she nodded, kissing me hard. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight as we sank into each other.
She was the melody of my heart.
And I’d have the chance to sing that song forever.