Chapter 21
AADEN
My parents are in the living room, fussing over their clothes as Jeffrey, the photographer, sets up in front of the fireplace.
Olivia and Shane are still in their room getting ready.
Leah and her mother are sitting on the couch, leaning into each other and talking about the photos on her blanket.
Watching the two of them together yesterday just about broke my heart.
I’d give anything to give them more time together.
It kills me to see the pain she’s in, knowing she doesn’t have much time left.
My thoughts drift to Belize and the stupid bet I made with my friends.
How the hell can I tell her about that? Her heart is already breaking; I can’t shatter it with this bomb.
Not now. I should tell her before New Year’s, but my heart is telling me that the blow may be less devastating if I show her how serious I am about the two of us first. Maybe that’s selfish, but I don’t care.
She’s all that matters to me, and I’ll do whatever it takes to show her.
“I think we’re ready,” Jeffrey says as he looks at my parents.
“Olivia, let’s go!” I yell upstairs.
“Good lord.” Frank winces and shakes his head. Leah and Eva laugh as they glance between my parents and me. I flash them a quick wink and my signature smirk.
As Olivia and Shane finally make it downstairs, Jeffrey is positioning Beverly and Frank in front of the fireplace on two stools facing each other.
I’m standing behind my mother, and Olivia and Shane are moved into position behind my father.
Our family is almost perfect, I think as Jeffrey snaps several pictures.
My eyes slide over to Leah, and my heart rate spikes.
Almost! I lean down and whisper my request to my parents, who both offer me a knowing smile.
“Leah?” I say, straightening back up and locking eyes with her. “Come, get in the picture, please.” I can see her breath catch from across the room. She stares at me like I’ve lost my mind, shaking her head.
“No, this is a family photo, Aaden.” Her eyes dart from me to Olivia, then down to my parents. Her cheeks flush a light shade of pink.
My mother smiles as she reaches her hand out to her. “I insist, Leah. Please,” she says sweetly.
She hesitates, then slowly stands and walks over to me.
I nod to Jeffrey, and he directs her to stand in front of me, her back to my front, the same position Olivia and Shane are in.
My body comes alive the minute I wrap my arms around her waist. This feels right.
Olivia flashes me a quick smile as Jeffrey starts taking pictures again.
After a few dozen have been taken, I ask Jeffrey to take a few of just the two of us.
“What are you doing?” she mumbles under her breath.
“Humor me.” I smile.
She practically melts in my arms as I stare down at her.
I place my hands on both sides of her face, staring into her eyes with so much longing, I’m sure everyone in the room can see how much I love this woman.
I hear several clicks of the camera, and I can only hope the photos capture what I’m feeling as well.
Reaching down, I take her right hand and raise it to my lips, kissing the back of it.
She smiles up at me, and a big sigh leaves her mouth.
Click click click.
I move behind her and sit down on one of the stools, pulling her down onto my lap.
Reaching up, I gently turn her chin so that we’re facing each other.
The look in her eyes mirrors my own. The rest of the room fades away as I stare into the eyes of my soulmate.
The love of my life. The only woman I ever want in my arms again. Leah is my everything.
Click click click.
“Perfect,” Jeffrey says. “I’ll have your proofs emailed to you in a few days. Just let me know which ones you want.” I blink as the fog in my brain starts to clear, and I remember that Leah and I are not alone.
“Thank you so much,” Beverly and Frank say as they shake his hand. A fifteen minutes later, he’s packed and gone.
“Thank you again, Leah.” Beverly beams as she hugs her. I give her a huge grin when our eyes meet over my mother’s shoulder. “You’re good for Aaden,” my mom whispers, but I hear her, and I couldn’t agree more. “He really thinks a lot of you, and so do we.”
A sadness flashes in Leah’s eyes, but it’s gone as quickly as it came, and she gives my mother a genuine smile. “I think a lot of you all, too,” she says.
An hour later, we’re saying our goodbyes to my family.
Olivia and Shane have loaded up their car for the drive back to New York, and my parents will go with them, catching a flight back to Florida from there.
As much as I’ve loved having them here, I’m relieved that they’re leaving.
I’m ready to spend some time alone with my girl.
“I can’t wait until you come to New York,” Olivia says, hugging Leah.
“Neither can I. I’m going to miss you.” Leah smiles. There’s an edge of sadness in her voice. I grin, knowing the two of them have become instant friends. With a few more hugs and sad goodbyes, Olivia’s SUV pulls out of the driveway.
Next, I turn to help Eva into Leah’s car. I offered to drive with them to take Eva home, but Leah asked me to stay and clean up because she wanted a little alone time with her mom.
A few hours later, she returns home, and I have the entire house back in order and am just starting in on the dishes. I didn’t want anything else occupying her time other than me.
“Let’s leave this for later,” she says as she wraps her arms around my waist. “I just want food and to veg the rest of the night.”
I close the dishwasher and dry my hands. “Where would you like to go?” I ask, smiling down at her.
“What are you in the mood for?” She smiles up at me as she slides her hands up my chest and locks them behind my neck. Heat flashes in her eyes, and my cock instantly perks up.
I grip her waist, pulling her to me. “I know exactly what I want,” I growl as I lean down and press my lips to hers.
When she opens her mouth, I take advantage and slip my tongue inside.
This is what I’ve wanted for the past three days.
Her, always her. Lust shoots through me, and I grip her waist tighter, picking her up and setting her on the counter.
A frantic need to be inside of her takes over, and I grab the hem of her dress, pulling it over her head, tossing it on the floor.
My heart pounds with anticipation as I look at her.
She’s a goddess, and she’s all mine. She licks her lips, and my eyes track the movement.
Gripping her face, I pull her into a deep, desperate kiss.
Her tongue strokes mine, and she bites my lower lip, making my cock jerk in my pants.
Shit, I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of her.
She reaches down to unbutton my jeans, pushing them down my hips until my cock springs free.
I pull her into me as I kiss her harder, needing her taste on my lips.
My hands slide up her thighs, and I grab the waistband of her tights and yank them down along with her underwear, dropping them to the floor.
The only sound in the room is our labored breathing as we race to get each other naked in record time.
We both go for my shirt at the same time, and I pull it over my head, dropping it to the floor with her discarded clothes.
Taking a step back, I lean down and begin kissing and biting the insides of her thighs.
Leah falls back against the cabinets, eyes closed as she lets out a soft moan.
God, her moans are like pouring gasoline on a fire.
Gripping her hips, I pull her closer and run my tongue slowly up her center before closing my lips over her clit, sucking and flicking my tongue across it.
Her hips buck, searching for more. I keep at it for several minutes, enjoying the taste of her on my tongue and the sounds of her moans filling the room.
When I can’t take anymore, I stand and kiss her again, our tongues sliding against each other’s as I grind my dick against her wet heat.
The feel of her pussy against my aching cock has me seeing stars.
I need her. Now. Jeans still sitting low on my ass, I pick her up and carry her to the couch.
Laying her down gently, I stand over her, pull my wallet from my back pocket and pluck a condom from inside.
Her gaze burns into me as I shove my jeans off, grip my stiff cock and roll the condom on.
Crawling on top of her, I kiss the tops of her breasts as I yank down her bra.
“I want you, Aaden,” she gasps as I suck a sensitive nipple into my mouth.
I look up at her with a heated expression, and my cock jerks again in anticipation. “Then take me.”
She reaches down and wraps her hand around me as I spread her legs farther apart.
She guides me to where she needs me most, and I sink into her, letting out a satisfied moan the moment I’m balls deep.
She closes her eyes as she lets out a soft whimper.
I move slowly at first, in and out, pausing deep inside of her with every slow thrust of my hips.
It’s teasingly sensual, and I can barely stand the torment.
She moves her hips, pulling me into her harder, desperate for me to go faster.
The wild animal in me is starting to wake up, and I get a tingling sensation at the base of my spine. The need to claim her comes alive.
“You want more?” I ask, my voice a breathless whisper.
“Yes.” she pleads. That one word shoots through me like a drug. I pull out almost completely and thrust back in, hard. I go so deep, she lets out a small yelp that’s quickly replaced by a pleasurable groan.
“Again?” I ask, my desire growing even more.
She nods, and I repeat the same forceful thrust. She digs her fingers into my back as I thrust again and again.
Moving quickly, I push both of her knees up to her chest, holding them there as I arch over her.
My hips pounding into her at lightning speed, I watch as my cock glides inside her over and over again.
The couch protests with the force of my thrusts.
The look of pain and pleasure mix gloriously on her face.
I move, pulling completely out and hooking my arm under her waist. I lift her up so that her back is propped against the arm of the couch.
Spreading her legs, I climb between them again.
I grab her chin and kiss her hard, my tongue claiming her mouth.
I thrust into her with force, and she gasps into my mouth with a gratified moan.
A bead of sweat rolls down my temple as I move vigorously inside of her.
She needs to see how perfect we fit together.
“Watch,” I command as I break the kiss. “Watch as I fuck you, baby.” Her eyes drop to where we’re joined, and together we watch as my cock disappears inside of her.
Her eyes glaze over, and the expression on her face has me fighting for control.
“You were meant for me, Leah.” my voice vibrates between us.
“Look how perfect we fit together.” Her breath catches as her body starts to stiffen. She’s close to her tipping point.
“Oh god, Aaden, don’t stop,” she pants. I can feel her tightening around me, and my own release quickly starts to build.
My hand drops to her neck, gripping her just enough to be forceful but not enough to hurt.
Her eyes flutter tellingly, so I move faster, my breathing becoming more frantic when she moves her hips in a circular motion, grinding against me. It sends a jolt right to my balls.
“Fuck, baby, keep doing that,” I growl. My jaw clenches and I make grunting sounds as I slam into her over and over again. Finally, she comes undone. She grips the wrist of the hand I have wrapped around her throat. Her back arches, and her pussy grips me so tightly, I explode right along with her.
“I’m coming!” she screams as her body is thrown into a glorifying wave of convulsions.
“Fuuuuckk!” I roar as I go off harder than I ever have before.
I slam my hips into her before collapsing, sweaty and breathing hard into her chest. Our hearts pound together.
We lay there wrapped around each other as we steady our breathing.
Jesus Christ, she owns me. I press my lips to her chest, between her breasts, as she strokes lazily along my back.
“God, babe, I fucking love you,” I whisper against her damp skin.
Her arms tighten around me, and her voice sounds a little strained when she returns the sentiment.
I’m about to ask if something’s wrong, but she quickly snuggles me against her chest, and I lose my train of thought as another wave of desire starts to stir inside of me. I’ll never get enough. Never!