“Lie back,” I instructed.
She shook her head, her arms straining against my grip. “No, don’t make me. Please.”
“Caley, lean back,” I said, using a tone that left no room for argument.
Reluctantly, she obliged. Once she was lying on her back, I drank her in. God, she was beautiful, and she had absolutely no idea. In that moment, I hated Joey more than I ever had. He’d belittled her until she saw absolutely nothing in herself.
My eyes gazed over her body, stopping at her midsection. Small white lines went across her stomach and sides. They were there but barely noticeable.
“Is this what you’ve been worried about?” I ran my finger over one of them.
She shivered. “Yes.”
I leaned forward and placed a kiss on her stomach. She jerked, shocked at my action.
“This is beautiful, Caley. These marks…they mean something. You brought a child into this world. To me, that’s far more important than flawless skin or a completely flat stomach. You’re perfect the way you are. I just wish you’d realize that.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, barely loud enough for me to hear.
I sat up, so I could look at her. “No need to apologize. I’m going to keep telling you how beautiful you are. Every single day, I’m going to say those words to you. One day, you’re going to look at yourself and realize just how perfect you are. And when that day comes, I’m going to be right there with you. You’re mine, Caley, and I’m going to give you the world.”
I lowered my head and deeply kissed her, eliciting a moan from her. I lowered my body until it rested on top of hers. The feel of her naked skin against mine sent my need into overdrive. I had to have this woman, or I might explode.
I kissed a trail from her lips down to her neck and to the top of her bra. Her breathing grew heavier with each kiss. Unable to hold back any longer, I unsnapped her bra, thanking my lucky stars that it clasped in the front, and I tossed it away from us. My mouth was on her nipple before she could even process the fact that her bra was gone.
I cupped both of her breasts in my hands as I sucked on her nipple. Her body bucked underneath me, showing me just how much she was enjoying what I was doing. I released her nipple before kissing a trail down her stomach, making sure to kiss every little mark within my path.
Carefully, I pulled her underwear down. She kicked them aside without a second thought.
I stared down at her, fully naked and wanting, on my bed. So many times, I’d imagined this moment. My imagination hadn’t done her justice, not at all.
I ran my hand down her chest and stomach to the place I desired the most. My fingers found her entrance and slid inside without hesitation. She gasped as my thumb found her nub, and I pressed against it. I withdrew my fingers before plunging them deep inside her again.
She writhed and jerked underneath me. Her eyes were closed as she had a look of pure ecstasy etched into her features. Before long, she was unraveling before me. The sounds she made as she gripped my sheets had me unbuckling my jeans with one hand as I coaxed her through her orgasm with the other.
When her body finally stilled, I stood and pulled my jeans and boxers off. I opened my nightstand drawer and pulled out a condom, ripping the packet open as soon as I had it in my hand. Her eyes scanned up and down my body before stopping on my cock. She watched as I slid the condom on, and she simply stared. She didn’t look afraid any longer. She had a look that told me exactly what she wanted, what she needed. I was more than happy to give her just that.
I covered her body with mine and positioned myself at her entrance. “Are you ready?”
She nodded as she rested her hands on my shoulders. I quickly slid into her, unable to hold back any longer. The moment I completely filled her was a memory I knew I’d never forget. Her warm pussy enveloped me, pulling me deeper within her. She was tight, something that took me a moment to adjust to.
“Are you okay?” I asked through gritted teeth.
When she nodded, I took it as a sign to move forward. Slowly, I pulled back and thrust into her again. Her grip on my shoulders tightened as I pulled back again and thrust into her more forcefully.
I kept my pace slow and steady, letting her build. By the time she lost control, her nails were digging into my flesh. I knew I’d have marks there, maybe even blood, by the time we finished.
I lost control in that moment and roughly slammed into her. I hesitated for a split second, afraid that I’d been too rough, but she didn’t cry out in pain. Instead, she begged me for more. I grabbed her legs and lifted them until she wrapped them around my waist, allowing me to go deeper.
She clung to me as I thrust in and out, over and over again. Our bodies became slick with sweat, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t pause. I knew I was going to explode at any second. I couldn’t hold back any longer.
I reached between us and pressed my thumb against her clit. Instantly, she cried out, a mixture of curses and prayers, as she tightened around me. I exploded into the condom, my entire body shaking with the effort.
I collapsed on top of her, both of us gasping for breath. Already, I could feel the slight pain of whatever marks she’d inflicted on my shoulders. For several moments, our bodies quaked with aftershocks.
I waited until my breathing returned to normal before pulling away. Instantly, I regretted my decision. I missed the feel of her body around mine.
I pulled the condom off and tossed it into the garbage can before returning to the bed and lying next to her. I softly kissed her on her lips before pulling her so that she rested her head against my chest.
“I…” She paused. “I don’t regret that at all.”
Unable to help myself, I laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
She raised her head enough to look at me. “I’ve never felt anything like that before.”
I kissed her forehead, and she rested her head back down onto my chest.
“Please, keep the compliments flowing. I’m all ears.”
She laughed as she smacked my stomach. “Ass.”
“I’m just teasing,” I said, laughter filling my voice.
She sighed and snuggled down tighter against me. “I just want to stay right here forever.”
“We can do that. Granted, someone might come and kick us out when I don’t pay the rent, but whatever,” I teased, hoping to keep the mood light. I didn’t want her doubts to ruin this moment.
“You’re a dork,” she mumbled, her voice sleepy.
“I know.” I soothingly rubbed her shoulders. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Okay,” she mumbled.
Moments later, I heard her breathing even out. She was already asleep.
I smiled as I pulled the sheets up around us, making sure to keep her tucked in close to me. I savored the feel of her skin next to mine, wanting this moment to last forever. Before long, I felt my eyelids starting to droop. And like that, I was out, too.
I woke up with my arms still around Caley. When I opened my eyes, I looked down to see her still resting peacefully in the exact same position we’d fallen asleep in. It seemed both of us had been too tired or maybe too comfortable to move throughout the night.
I watched Caley as she slept. Total creeper move maybe, but I couldn’t help myself. When she was awake, she was always on guard, as if she’d expected the world to come crashing down on her at any moment. That was probably because it had, over and over again.
For the first time ever, I was able to see her completely relaxed. Her forehead, which was usually creased with worry, was smooth. She looked so much younger as she slept, her face peaceful, serene even.
I glanced over at the alarm clock on my nightstand. It was almost nine in the morning. I hated to wake her, but I had no idea if she was supposed to be somewhere or if she had plans for the day. I knew the last thing she needed was for someone to realize she wasn’t where she was supposed to be. That would lead to questions of where she had been and whom she had been with. I knew that would end badly for all of us.