Chapter 16
Chapter sixteen
Later That Evening
Sky is breathtaking.
The sharp edge of hurt has softened, leaving something open and uncertain behind it.
Vulnerability. Hope. The same mix I emotions I’m wrestling with.
I move closer. “Sky.”
Her eyes lift to mine.
The kiss begins slowly, almost cautious at first. Not the frantic heat from the past couple days. Something deeper, steadier. My mouth brushes hers once, then again, until she angles into it and tension melts into warmth.
Her hands slide up my arms as she kisses me back. The familiarity of it sends a quiet pulse of relief through me.
I pull back just enough to see her face again. “I meant what I said about loving you.”
For a second she studies me as if weighing the words and testing whether she believes them. After all, we spent years feigning none of this existed.
“I love you too.”
Her words settle between us like something long overdue finally finding its place. For a moment neither of us moves. I watch her face soften after saying it, the tension in her shoulders easing as if the truth itself carries weight she’s been holding for years.
My hand finds hers. Her fingers slip easily into mine, warm and familiar, and I lift them to my lips for a brief kiss before standing.
“Come here,” I whisper.
She lets me lead her the few steps to the velvet couch near the window. The fabric is deep green and catches the candlelight as she sits, the glow tracing the curve of her hair and the gentle rise and fall of her breathing.
Instead of sitting beside her, I lower myself slowly to my knees in front of her.
The movement surprises her. “Zach—”
“Let me.” I scan her face for approval.
From here I can see every flicker of emotion crossing her face. The softness in her eyes. The way her fingers coil against the cushion beside her.
“I spent fifteen years pretending I could live without this,” my hands settle lightly at her waist, “without you.”
Her breath trembles and she looks down at our hands for a moment, gathering herself.
“I should have asked you about Lila, instead of letting my mind run wild.” Her thumb traces slowly along my knuckles before she lifts her eyes again. “I don’t want to fall into the patterns my parents had. Assuming the worst. Letting silence grow into something ugly.”
My fingers close more firmly around hers. “You won’t. Not with me. You can trust this.”
“You don’t have to prove anything.” She studies my face as if searching for any hesitation.
“We’ve known each other too long to start doubting now.” I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles one by one. “Yes, everything changed between us in the past few days, but our foundation didn’t disappear. If anything, it’s stronger. We know each other better than anyone.”
Her gaze softens.
“We can trust each other.” I nudge forward just enough to slowly sweep my lips along hers.
Her laugh is soft and shaky. When I pull back, my hands slide gently along her sides, holding her there. This moment deserves patience.
I’m in no hurry at all.
I take my time, savoring the sight of her as I pull the dress over her head. She’s left in nothing but her lace panties, breasts exposed, nipples hardening under my gaze. I edge in, trailing kisses down her collarbone. Her pulse quickens beneath my touch.
“You’re so beautiful,” I whisper, as my fingers trace over her dusky nipples. I take one into my mouth, swirling my tongue around the sensitive peak. She gasps, tangling her fingers in my hair, urging me closer.
I move lower, kissing my way down her stomach, savoring the way her body responds to my touch.
I hook my fingers into the waistband of her panties and sweep them down her legs, exposing her fully to me.
She’s breathtaking. Her pussy glistens with arousal, and I can hardly contain the need building inside me.
“I want to taste you.” My voice is thick with desire as I kneel before her.
Skimming my lips along her inner thigh, I inhale her scent. She’s trembling, anticipation thrumming through her as I inch closer to her core.
With a determination, I trace my tongue along her folds, tasting her sweetness as I plunge into her. Her back bows when I tease her clit with small flicks of my tongue. I watch her face and the way her eyes flutter shut, lips parting as soft moans escape.
It’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.
“God, your taste is addicting,” I swirl my tongue through her sweet nectar.
I’m mesmerized by the way her body responds, her hips bucking against my devouring mouth.
“Zach, please,” she pleads, and it drives me wild. I want to hear her beg for me and unravel completely. “I’m so close.”
“Come for me, baby,” I urge, my fingers moving faster, mouth working her clit. “I love you.”
Her walls clench around my fingers and she cries out when her orgasm crashes over her in waves. I don’t stop, my mouth and fingers work together to prolong her pleasure.
“Again.” I lick her entire slit, spreading her lips so I don’t miss anything.
I want to see Sky lose herself completely and shatter around me. I lift her legs over my shoulders, allowing the heat of her pussy to engulf my mouth as I devour her. When she comes again, her loud, staccato cries fill the room.
When I finally pull back, my chest heaves as I look into her eyes. Her face is flushed and radiant, the aftermath of her pleasure painting her with a glow making me want to give her more.
I lift her onto my lap, guiding her down onto my cock.
The hot, wet sensation is overwhelming and I can’t help but groan when I fill her completely.
Positioning her just right, I hold her in place, making sure her clit brushes my pubic bone.
I thrust into her. The angle is perfect, my cock hits her G-spot with every movement and her body responds to the dual stimulation by frantically moving in rhythm with mine.
“God, you feel incredible.” My voice is heavy is with pleasure.
My hands span her ass to guide her movements, until the sound of our moans and skin slapping together is all I can hear. She’s dripping with arousal. Her body writhes with mine.
“Zach, oh God, Zach.” Sky’s nails dig into my shoulders as she rides me harder.
The tension builds between us, a sweet ache threatening to pull us both under. She constricts around me again and I know she’s close. “Yeah. Squeeze my cock. Take what you need.”
With a final cry, she tumbles over the edge, her body seizing as she comes. It takes every ounce of self-control not to follow her into bliss, but I want this moment to last as long as possible.
I lift her off me, her body limp and sated as I carry her to the bed. Laying her down carefully, I position myself behind her to achieve my own release. The sight of her ass high in the air and her glistening pussy drives me insane. I slide into her tight heat all the way to my root.
The angle is perfect, allowing me to hit her g-spot with every thrust. Gripping her hips, I guide her pussy back and forth on my cock. Immediately, her body responds to mine and I can feel the tension building again.
I reach around with my fingers to find her clit, circling it in time with my rapid thrusts. I drive us both higher and higher and we’re unable to contain the feral sounds of pleasure which echo off the stone walls.
“Zach, I can’t—” Her words are cut off by a shriek when she comes again.
The sensation is too much. I can’t hold back any longer. I fill her to the brim, the pleasure so intense it leaves me breathless.
Afterward, I pull out of her to glimpse my come seeping out of her pussy and dripping down her thigh. It’s a primal, possessive sight.
Sky’s mine, and I want everyone to know it.
I collapse onto the bed beside her and cuddle her close as we both struggle to catch our breath. We lie there entwined, the warmth of our intimacy lingering.
She turns to face me, her eyes soft and content. “Zach, I’m a little mad we’ve wasted so many years not fucking. Together, we’re incredible.”
“We are.” My heart swells with love and happiness. “In the spirit of being truthful, there’s something else I need to tell you before you hear it from Julian.”
Her eyes search mine, amusement urges me on. “Oh God. What is it now? Another fake girlfriend with a dog?”
“No.” My fingers comb once through my hair before clasping her hand. “I sold the company.”
Her brows lift a touch.
“It’s why I disappeared before the wedding. I was with Julian to complete the paperwork.” Her fingers close around mine, listening. “I planned on telling you this weekend, but...”
Sky looks at me expectantly.
“I wanted to take my shot first.” My thumb brushes across her knuckles where our hands rest on my chest. “One thing isn’t negotiable.” I hold her gaze. “I’m not letting you walk away from me again, Sky.”
She studies me for a long moment. “Don’t worry. You’re not getting rid of me, Zach Bennett.”
Relief loosens something deep in my chest.
I knot my arms around her and stare into the dark.
The promise of our future settles quietly between us.
Wedding or not, tomorrow we stop hiding.