Forty-four
Lily
Atrail of petals stretches across the floor, leading to the bed. Battery-operated candles outline the petal heart on the bed. The room is alive with the warm glow of candlelight, casting shadows across the walls. The bedding is adorned with rose petals arranged into a heart shape.
“Did you do all this?” I ask, stunned. My gaze lifts, following the whimsical twinkle of fairy lights strung around the square-frame canopy, artificial floral vines and delicate rosebuds woven into each corner.
He looks at me, his eyes gleaming with adoration. “Yeah, Sunshine, with a little help.”
A blissful smile stretches across my face. “It’s so beautiful, Ethan.” I press a kiss to his jawline.
Above the bed, plump, heart-shaped balloons in shades of purple and white bob gently, mirroring the smaller clusters that float on the bedside tables.
“There’s sparkling juice and chocolate-covered strawberries if you’re in the mood,” he suggests, carefully guiding me to the comfy chair situated across from the bed.
He kneels before me, his hands warm as he cradles my aching feet, slowly removing my heels.
A sigh of relief escapes my lips, prompting a soft chuckle from him.
“I want to, but I’m not sure I can,” I admit reluctantly.
“That’s okay, Lily,” he reassures me, settling onto the floor with my feet resting comfortably in his lap.
He begins to gently massage them. “We don’t have to do anything tonight.
If you want a warm bath, we’ll take one.
If you want to sleep in your dress, we can do that too.
Whatever you wish.” His soothing touch makes me smile, and I lean down to kiss him.
“It’s amusing that you keep saying ‘we,’” I tease.
He grins, that charming smirk of his lighting up his face. “Well, wherever you go, I go.”
I lean back, basking in his comforting presence. “I want to make love to you on the beach,” I say, almost mischievously.
His hands freeze mid-rub. I glance down to see a mix of disbelief and surprise on his handsome face.
“What? You wa-want to have s-sex?” he stammers.
“Yes, Ethan. It’s our wedding night. Why wouldn’t I want to?”
He swallows hard. “But you hardly ate anything...”
“I was saving my energy for tonight.” My eyes flit over to the bag near the door, an impish grin forming.
“What’s that?” he asks.
I respond cheekily, “Something we’re taking with us.” I slip my feet from his lap and notice the undeniable bulge in his pants.
I smile triumphantly.
“Come on, let’s go,” I urge, slowly rising to my feet and moving toward the door.
I glance back and see him still sitting on the floor. “Are you coming or what? Or should I grab my dildo—”
Before the last syllable can escape my lips, he is on his feet, a blur of motion, as if a firecracker was ignited beneath his ass. His eyes blazing with arousal, he storms toward me, a primal growl rumbling in his chest. I yelp, a thrill of excitement coursing through me.
Tonight is ours, and I can’t wait to embrace every moment.
Ethan turns to me, his arms resting on the steering wheel. “You sure about this, Sunshine?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” I say, already reaching for the door handle.
“Hold on a second,” he says. “I’ll help you down.”
He springs out of the truck and is at my side in an instant. With a warm smile, he takes my hand and helps me navigate the awkward step down until my bare feet finally sink into the sand.
He slings my bag over his shoulder and intertwines his fingers with mine, giving them a reassuring squeeze.
We weave our way around the rocks until we reach our destination, our pocket of privacy where the only audience is the endless ocean. He drops the bag, pulling out the thick blanket and spreading it in a corner formed by the rocks.
A soft breeze, carrying the taste of salt, sweeps across my face. I close my eyes, letting the sound of the waves wash over me.
“Lily?”
I open my eyes to see Ethan standing in front of me, his gaze intense. “Are you ready?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes.”
His fingers find the zipper of my sundress, slowly easing it down. The fabric slides off my shoulders, pooling around my feet. Next, the delicate lace of my bra gives way, followed by the matching thong, leaving me completely bare. His eyes trace every line before meeting mine again.
“You take my breath away, Sunshine,” he murmurs.
I can feel a blush bloom across my cheeks, a warmth spreading through me at his words.
He unbuttons his shirt, tossing it carelessly aside. His jeans follow, revealing the lean, muscled planes of his body. He leans over me, and I spread my legs, inviting him into the space between them.
With one hand bracing him on the sand beside my head, Ethan grips his hard dick and positions it at my entrance.
He places a featherlight kiss on my forehead, then my cheek, my nose, the curve of my jaw, and then the corner of my mouth.
His eyes, dark and full of love, meet mine. Then his lips finally claim mine.
Our kiss is a slow burn, a passionate declaration that surpasses desire.
It is full of letting go of old wounds, healing, proof that the pain hasn’t won, and relief that we found our way back to each other.
This kiss isn’t about the fire between us.
It’s about choosing each other again, this time with clearer minds, mature hearts, and a love that feels deeper than ever before.
He guides himself inside me, filling me completely. A soft gasp escapes my lips, my back arching, a silent plea for more. More of him.
“Oh, God, Lily,” he groans against my mouth, his breath hot on my skin. “Tell me if I’m hurting you.”
I can’t form the words, only a guttural groan, lost in the sensation of him moving inside me, stretching me, claiming me.
“Please, Lily,” he pleads again.
“I will,” I manage to whisper breathlessly, my hands roaming up and down his back, my fingertips tracing his spine. A shiver runs through his body at my touch.
He shifts, sliding his arms underneath my head, cradling me as he begins to grind his hips against mine, sinking deeper with each powerful thrust.
“I love you, Lily,” he grunts. His lips move from my mouth to my neck, finding that sensitive spot beneath my ear where my pulse flutters wildly.
Even though my body screams with a pleasure that borders on agony, I have no desire to tell him to stop.
A dark, irrational fear whispers that I don’t know how much longer I will be able to connect with him like this, this beautiful surrender.
I push the negative thoughts away, focusing only on the present.
Right here. Right now. Making love to my husband. My soulmate.
He pushes harder, the rhythm accelerating, a wild, primal dance.
“Sunshine, I’m going to come,” he warns, his voice strained. He pulls his arms from under me, gently lifting one of my legs and placing it next to his hip to find a deeper angle.
“Oh, God!” I cry out, a shout of pure ecstasy as he hits that perfect spot, sending me spiraling over the edge.
A sexy, triumphant smirk spreads across his face, his eyes sparkling in the dim light. “X marks the spot, baby.”
Four more powerful thrusts and he comes with me, his body shaking, his head collapsing onto my shoulder.
We’re both gasping for air, our breathing ragged, like we finally reached the surface after being underwater for years.
I look down at him and smile. I’m his again. He’s mine. It’s our second chance and a promise of forever.
I can finally rest now.
I’m home.