Chapter 45
Will
Brie’s nails dug into my shoulders as I drove deeper, watching her face transform with each thrust. Her legs tightened around my waist, urging me closer, deeper. She moaned, “God, Will, that’s it. Right there.”
How was any of this real?
We’d arrived home last night and collapsed into bed at my place. Part of me had worried she’d change her mind once we were home, but she hadn’t. Instead, after years of wanting her, after everything we’d been through, she was mine. Completely and utterly mine.
I slowed my pace, drawing out each movement, memorizing every sensation—the silken heat of her, the catch in her breath when I hit the right spot, the way her eyes darkened when they locked with mine. I’d dreamed of this for so long, I still needed to convince myself it wasn’t just another fantasy.
“Don’t stop,” she whispered, her fingers threading through my hair, pulling me down for a kiss that made my heart stutter.
Her tongue slid against mine as we writhed together, her body responding to mine with a familiarity that belied how new this still was between us.
When we broke apart, her smile was uninhibited, open in a way she never was with anyone else.
Despite the horror she’d endured only three days ago, with me, she was happy.
“I won’t stop,” I promised, my voice rougher than I expected. “Not ever again.”
The double meaning wasn’t lost on her. Her eyes softened for a moment before darkening with renewed desire.
“Harder,” she demanded, her fingers digging into my back.
The command shot straight through me. I withdrew almost completely before thrusting back in with enough force to make the headboard knock against the wall. Brie’s gasp sent electricity down my spine.
“That’s it, love,” I encouraged, pulling out and flipping her over in one fluid motion.
She went willingly, rising to her hands and knees as I positioned myself behind her.
This angle let me go deeper, and when I entered her again, we both groaned at the sensation.
I gripped her hips, pulling her back against me to meet each thrust, watching the graceful arch of her spine, the way her hair tumbled over her shoulders.
This was Brie—brilliant, guarded, extraordinary Brie—coming completely undone because of me. Because of us. The knowledge was as intoxicating as the physical sensations overwhelming my body.
She shifted her weight, supporting herself on one elbow, while her other arm disappeared beneath her. The knowledge that she was touching herself while I was inside her, taking control of her own pleasure, made my heart race even faster.
“Right there,” she gasped, pushing back against me. “Oh god, yes.”
Her confidence was intoxicating. During our first time in college, she’d been hesitant, uncertain. Hell, we’d both been inexperienced. Now she knew exactly what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to take it. The contrast between that nervous girl in my workshop and this self-assured woman drove me wild.
She began to tighten around me, her body signaling how close she was. I increased my pace, chasing my own release.
“Will—I’m—” She didn’t finish the sentence as her orgasm crashed through her, her body clenching around me in rhythmic waves.
The sight of her climax, the sound of my name on her lips as she came, pushed me over the edge. I buried myself deep inside her one last time, bliss tearing through me with an intensity that left me breathless and trembling.
We collapsed together on the bed, our limbs tangled and hearts racing. I gathered her against my chest, pressing a kiss to her temple as something warm and profound settled in my heart. This wasn’t just physical satisfaction—this was coming home.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that,” I murmured against her hair.
“Same.” Brie turned in my arms, her smile soft and satisfied. The morning light caught in her eyes, lighting up the green in her right iris. “But I’m willing to keep trying if you are.”
We shared a quiet laugh, then lay in comfortable silence for several minutes, simply breathing together. I drew lazy patterns on her back, savoring the simple intimacy of the moment.
“I think I’m ready,” I said finally.
She lifted her head, one eyebrow cocked in question. “Still nervous about seeing your mom?”
“I think I’m ready now.” I traced my fingers along her bare shoulder. “Your distraction technique was… highly effective.”
“Told you so,” she replied with a smug grin and kissed my chest. “Nothing clears the mind like endorphins.”
“Hopefully, today’s a good day for her.” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying not to focus on the dark bruise covering half her face. “And I think… telling her about us might make her happy.”
Brie shifted, propping herself up on one elbow to look at me more directly. Her fingers gently traced the still-fresh cut above my eye, careful not to disturb the stitches. “She’s going to be more worried about our injuries than about us dating.”
My gaze moved from the angry purple bruise to the scratches on her shoulder where I hadn’t managed to protect her from the debris during the explosion.
“Although the last time we visited, she already seemed convinced we were together, anyway.”
I caught her hand, bringing it to my lips. “She’s seen you banged up before, you know. You remember that time you borrowed Zac’s motocross bike and ate dirt spectacularly?”
Brie snorted a laugh. “Twelve-year-old me, determined to prove I could handle Zac’s bike, ended up with gravel embedded in my palms and that huge bruise along my jawline. Your mom cleaned me up while lecturing us both about helmet safety.”
And if it wasn’t one of her good days today, maybe some of those stories would help her remember. What if it didn’t, though? What if those stories sent her mind somewhere else, to when she’d been young? Or what if it blanked everything out for her, leaving her reeling in confusion?
If Brie moved in with me, or vice versa, that wouldn’t be an issue for Mum. But what if we got married? Could she attend a ceremony? What if she was too far advanced to recognize our children when we had them?
“You’re overthinking,” Brie said, brushing her thumb across my furrowed brow.
“I’m not overthinking. I’m planning. There’s a difference.”
She laughed, the sound jostling my chest enough to let go of the worries. “Will Reaney, you’re absolutely overthinking. She’ll be happy, no matter how many times we need to tell her.”
Brie was probably right. My mother had loved her as a second daughter for over twenty years. I didn’t need to protect either of them from this truth.
“All right,” I conceded, kissing her again because I could—because the novelty of being allowed to kiss Brie Reynolds whenever I wanted still hadn’t worn off. “Get dressed. Let’s go see my mother.”