Chapter 24
No more threatening emails came in and Amelia pushed thoughts about the threats from her mind.
She needed to focus on getting through the real estate classes and getting her license.
The information wasn’t difficult like advanced calculus, instead it was just so much information she wasn’t sure she could keep up with it all.
She sure as heck would try. Lainey was depending on her.
Having a job gave her freedom. She hadn’t even minded working at the club until it went bad. She would find a way to get through the material and pass the test.
Lainey was at preschool, and she was deep into studying when she heard someone at the front door.
At first panic was her only response, then she saw Avery’s car through the window.
Excitement filled her, and she moved to the door, reaching for it as he pushed it open. She let out a yelp and jumped back.
Surprise flashed on Avery’s face, then a smile replaced the surprise. “You’re home. Good.”
She moved to him, wrapping her arms around him.
Her ear was plastered against his chest, and she could hear the solid beat of his heart.
Being in his arms felt safe. She’d always felt that way when he’d been with her.
She should have been willing to commit to him back then, but she’d not wanted to rush things.
Maybe they wouldn’t have worked out and it all would have been ruined. Right now, they had a chance to work it out and come together.
She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. When their gazes connected, it was like lightning zipped through her. The air seemed to still as heat raced up from her center to her neck and face.
He wouldn't make a move on her. He'd made that much clear. She had to initiate if she wanted this. She ran her hands down his sides to the waistband of his pants, pulling at the button.
His eyes went wide, and his breathing stalled as she tugged on the zipper. As she lowered the zipper of his pants, she could feel his cock growing harder. She wanted his cock in her hands, so she reached into his underwear and wrapped her fingers around him.
“I should shower first.”
She nodded. “I can join you.”
He leaned in and brushed his lips gently over hers. “You don’t have to do any of this, but if you want to, I’m all for it.”
“I want you.”
“If at any point it's too much, just say so, and we're done.”
She stroked him again, and he groaned in her ear and squeezed her shoulder tighter.
“You’re so freaking sexy,” he moaned.
“So are you.”
She stepped away from him, and he finished removing his clothes.
She watched him get naked, distracted by his muscles and hairy chest. After a second, she pulled off her shirt, loving how his gaze stayed on her.
She slid her pants over her hips, liking the way he licked his lips as they dropped to the ground.
He stepped closer, reaching out to touch before he froze. “Is it okay if I touch you?”
“Yes. Please touch me.”
Apple couldn't believe he was this lucky.
His fingers grazed over the smooth skin on her belly lower to her hip.
She was still wearing her underwear, and he wanted to rip it off, but he left it in place as he slowly ran his fingers over her hips to her rear.
She stepped closer to him, her body brushing against his hard cock. He gasped, and her gaze shot to him.
“This okay?” Amelia asked.
He nodded. “Better than okay.”
“I need to feel all of you.”
“Shower first, then I want to show you how amazing you are.”
She took his hand and led them into the bathroom.
He flipped on the water and stepped into the shower while she removed her underwear.
Seeing her naked was freaking amazing. She looked so good, maybe a little skinny from what she’d been through with the abduction, but still good.
He held out his hand, and she stepped in, not hesitating at all.
He grabbed the soap and washed off the stink and sweat from travel, then helped her wash.
Running his soaped-up fingers over her skin was making him even harder.
If they'd been having sex and fooling around already, he would have taken her in the shower.
He didn't want this to be a quick experience, so he pushed away the flash of desire and focused on making her feel good.
When he slid his fingers between her legs, she pumped her hips as her hands tightened on his arms. He kept stroking her, loving how her eyes closed and her upper teeth bit down on her lower lip.
Her body started shaking, and her breath came in gasps. She was so close to coming he couldn't let up. He needed her ready for him, and he wanted her to feel good, too.
A few seconds later, she drew in a sharp breath and cried out his name. He stopped moving his fingers so he could feel her pulse against his hand. He loved how she clung to him, pulling him closer so she could feel him up against her.
“Are you ready?”
She met his gaze and nodded. “Yes. I’m more than ready. I want you inside me.”
He shut off the water and helped her dry. She seemed a little hesitant, and he slowed down, giving her time to stop him, but she reached out and ran her fingers over his body.
When they stepped into the bedroom, she hesitated. He was sure she was going to call it off, and he would be understanding. No way would he push her into doing anything she didn’t want to do.
When he met her gaze, she lifted one shoulder slightly. “You need to be on the bottom.”
“Done.”
He moved to the bed and pushed the covers low before stretching out. As she knelt on the bed beside him, he rolled on a condom. Just the act of putting on the condom made his cock grow even harder, or maybe it was seeing her above him.
Her fingers trailed down his chest to his abs. Her touch was ice and fire, sending him so close to the edge. He wouldn’t have to do much to come.
“I’m not going to last.”
Her lips twisted as she moved to straddle him. She grasped his cock and lowered so her pussy lips were against the tip. Seeing her above him, her pussy ready to take him was almost more than he could stand.
She lowered just a little, and the wet heat of her pussy enveloped the tip.
He wanted to grab her waist and force her down, filling her with his cock.
He didn't. He could exercise patience. Pounding into her would feel good, but having her in his bed for months and years to come would feel even better.
Amelia rose up a little, then lowered even more, pushing him closer to orgasm. She moved slowly so her breasts weren't bouncing, but the way she moved was like music and dancing. It was erotic poetry in motion, twisting around him like a web, pulling him to her.
“Oh God, Amelia, I can’t last.”
She sank down on him in her most forceful movement so far, exploding his lust. When she rose up, he couldn't take his eyes off her, and all the lust and the desire he'd felt since seeing her again came together, causing what felt like an explosion inside.
He came as she lowered on him. His fingers itched to hold her down as he pumped his orgasm into her, but he twisted his fingers in the sheets and grunted as he continued to come. Of course, she wasn't holding still, so the shocks of pleasure kept rushing through him, leaving him gasping for breath.
Then her hands were on the mattress beside his ears, and she was smiling down at him.
“Did you like that?”
Her question made him laugh. “Heck yeah. That was freaking amazing.”
“Good.” She rose up, and he slid out.
He wished he was back inside her. They couldn’t stay that way all day, but reality didn’t mean he couldn’t have fantasies.
He would keep those to himself for now. She didn’t need the added pressure of knowing he wanted things.
She’d been forced to play to sick fantasies, and it was time for her to do what was best for her.
She went up on her elbow and held his gaze. “That was amazing. It felt so good.”
He ran his hand over his face. “That was amazing.”
“I know it may not be exactly what you want, but for now, I need to be in control.”
He removed the condom and tossed it in the trash beside his bed before he sat up and pulled her up, too. He wanted her to take him seriously, and he felt that lying down would take away some of the seriousness.
“That was exactly what I wanted. I want you, however you’re willing to give it. I…” Could he say the words? He meant them. “I know we’re just back together after a long time, and our breakup wasn’t fireworks, but it also wasn’t without angst. But Amelia, I have feelings for you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You do?”
He nodded as he got off the bed, helping her off. “I don’t know that my feelings ever died. With you here, those feelings have only grown. I know you may not be ready to be involved, but Amelia, if you are, then I want us to make a commitment.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m ready. I thought about it while you were gone. I want more with you.”
“I want more with you.”
“I don’t want to confuse Lainey. Can we get her used to the idea slowly?”
He nodded. “The last thing I want to do is make her life harder. She is an amazing kid, and I want her to feel good about us being together. I don’t want it to be something that throws her off.”
“I don't think she'll have an issue, but I also don't want to rush into something and then one of us decide to pull back.”
“I won’t pull back.”
She shook her head. “You could.”
He took her hand and held her gaze. “Listen. Last time, I wasn’t mature enough to understand what I wanted.
We were just hooking up, and I should have known what I had.
But I was stupid. I’ve had time to think about it, and I know I was wrong.
I should have tried harder with you because you’ve always been the one who was right for me. I knew it then, but I was afraid.”
She cupped his cheek. “Can I trust you this time?”
He nodded. “Yes. I know you may not be able to trust me straight off, but I’m committed to you and I’m committed to Lainey.”
“So you like having a kid?”
Her question made him laugh. “I know she’s probably behaving better for me now than she will once she gets used to me.”
“Guaranteed.”
“And she’ll have bad days just like I do, and there’s a lot of growing and difficult things she’ll go through, but yes, I like having a kid. I like having Lainey as a daughter. I want her to be a part of my life.”
“Good. Because now that she knows you, you’re going to have to stay in her life.”
Worry hit, making him draw in a deep breath. “I’m scared I’m going to screw something up with her.”
She shrugged. “Of course you will. That’s part of being a parent. We’re both going to make mistakes. It’s how it works.”
He shook his head. “Great. You’re making me feel great about this.”
She pulled him closer and brushed her lips over his.
Being with this woman was exactly what he needed.
They were meant to be together. He hated that he hadn't jumped on the chance years ago when they'd first hooked up.
At the time, he hadn't wanted to be serious with anyone.
Then he'd gotten messed up with Tara. If he'd jumped at the chance to make his relationship with Amelia real back then, he never would have been involved with the mess that nearly took him down.
“I want you to know that I'm dedicated to making this work with you. We don't know each other very well, and we'll need to work hard together for this to work. We already have a kid, and I know that complicates things. My job is different from most.”
She nodded. “It may be different, but I’ll get used to it. You being gone wasn’t that bad. Lainey will be thrilled that you’re home.”
He smiled. “I can’t wait to see her.”
“Every night before bed, she asks if you're coming home. We talked about how your job doesn't always tell us when you'll be back here. She wants to make you pancakes, mainly because we bought a new syrup, and she wants you to try it.”
Warmth spread, and he nodded. They'd made their way out to the den, and he picked up his clothes. He checked the time.
“What time will she be done at school and back here?”
“Three twenty-five.”
“So we have an hour. I should eat some protein now so when she offers pancakes, I can eat just pancakes with her.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I want this to be special.”
Her laughter was music to his ears. His balls pulled up, but he pushed away the desire and focused on picking up his clothes and cleaning up.
“I like it when you laugh. It makes me feel good.”
She rolled her eyes. “I like hearing you laugh, too.”
She wrapped her arms around him, and he kissed her again. No question he would do everything to keep this relationship strong. They had a lot to do, but it was worth it. Amelia was worth it.