Chapter 26 #2
He lowers his head to press a kiss to the valley between my breasts, his stubble creating friction against my sensitive skin. When his mouth closes around my nipple, I arch into him with a gasp, my fingers tangling in his hair.
He takes his time, lavishing attention on one breast and then the other, alternating between gentle kisses and more insistent pulls that send jolts of pleasure straight to my core. His hands are kneading, thumb circling the hardened peak before drawing it back into his mouth.
“So perfect,” he whispers against my skin. “Every inch of you.”
His mouth trails back up my body, pressing soft kisses along my collarbone and neck until he’s hovering above me.
“Everything I do,” he says firmly, his voice rough with emotion, “every choice I make…it’s for you. For us.” His thumb brushes across my cheekbone. “Not just now, but later, too. For a life where you don’t have to worry about anything, where we’re steady. Secure.”
His gaze searches mine, softer now, but no less certain. “I’m thinking about all of it, Violet. The future, the finances…making sure we’re good. Really good.” His hand slips to my jaw, holding me there. “I hope you believe that.”
The raw honesty in his voice makes my chest ache, and all I can do is nod.
I lift my hand to his face, drawing him down to me. His lips meet mine, tentative at first, almost questioning. It’s the first real kiss we’ve shared all day.
His mouth is so warm and soft against mine. I part my lips, inviting him deeper, and he responds with a quiet groan that vibrates through me. His tongue slides against mine, tasting me as if we have all the time in the world.
I whimper as he captures my lower lip between his, sucking gently before releasing it to deepen the kiss again. His tongue strokes mine with languid movements that have heat pooling low in my stomach, each brush more intimate than the last.
He breaks the kiss just long enough to tug his shirt over his head before returning to me and settling between my thighs. His hands find mine, fingers threading together, lifting them above my head and pinning them gently to the pillow.
“Violet.” My name comes out on a breath, reverent and wrecked all at once. “I’ve loved you since before I even knew how to name it.”
My pulse stumbles, but I don’t look away.
“I loved the way you’d dog-ear your favorite pages in every book, even though it made you feel guilty afterward. And how you’d hum when you concentrated, real soft. I’m not even sure you knew you were doing it.”
My throat tightens.
“I used to count the freckles on your shoulders.” His voice goes a little rough. “You had this one right here,” he releases one of my hands to ghost his fingers over my collarbone, “that would show up in the spring and fade by fall. I missed it every year I didn’t see it.”
I blink hard, my heart thudding painfully.
“You used to eat the yellow M&Ms first,” he continues. “You said they were the happiest color.”
My eyes fill with tears. I don’t even know if I’m breathing anymore.
“I never forgot a single thing about you, and I still love you. Now more than ever.”
“Say it again,” I whisper.
He gives me one of his devastating smiles. “I love you.”
“I love you.” My voice breaks on the word. “It’s always been you, Rowan.”
His eyes shine in the dim light, and he lowers his forehead to mine, our breaths mingling in the space between us. “Say it again,” he rasps, echoing my words back to me.
“I love you,” I repeat, stronger this time. “I loved you when you were gone. I loved you when I thought I’d never see you again.”
He captures my lips in a kiss so tender my heart bursts, and I kiss him hard enough to memorize his mouth, the soft scrape of stubble against my skin, and the way his hands frame my face like I’m something fragile and irreplaceable.
“I don’t deserve this,” he says softly against my lips.
“Rowan…”
“I don’t,” he insists, shaking his head. “You have no idea how many nights I sat with my keys in my hand, thinking I’d drive back here.”
I reach for him instinctively, but he pulls back, just a little.
“I’m so damn scared I’m gonna let you down again. I swear to god, Violet, if I do…I’ll never forgive myself.”
“You won’t,” I say firmly. “I know exactly who you are, Rowan. I’ve seen you at your worst and your best, and I still choose you. All of you.”
“Violet—”
“I’m terrified, too,” I admit, my voice catching. “You think I’m not scared you’ll leave again? That one day I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone? But that’s what love is. It’s choosing someone even when it’s scary.”
“I’m not perfect, either,” I continue, softer now. “I don’t always say the right thing. I convince myself I can handle everything alone when I really can’t. But I need you to believe me when I say that I’m all in. This isn’t conditional.”
His eyes search mine, looking for any hint of doubt. “I’m going to make mistakes.”
“So will I. But I’d rather mess up with you than get it perfect with anyone else.”
He lowers his head to my shoulder, his breath warm against my skin as he whispers, “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
“You don’t have to deserve me,” I reply. “I’m just…yours.”
He lifts his head from my shoulder.
“Mine,” he says, the single word resonating with possessiveness.
I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. “Is that your caveman impression?”
He nips at my earlobe. “Hush. Just say it again.”
“Yours, Rowan.”
His devilish grin is the only warning before he launches himself at me like he’s been waiting for permission his entire life. Kisses rain down everywhere he can reach—my cheek, my jaw, my nose, my shoulder.
I squeal, squirming beneath him. “You’re attacking me!”
“Affectionately,” he adds, punctuating the word with another kiss. “This is very serious.”
I’m laughing so hard it hurts, my sides aching, my heart somehow even fuller than it was a moment ago.
I have been, and always will be, his.