The fullness sends a big tremor throughout my body. “Don’t move yet,” I beg.
I want to get used to him but also enjoy the moment. I doubt either one of us is going to last for long. He grips my hips and pulls out slowly, then rams his pelvis against mine. He groans loudly as his cock slips in and out of me, hitting my prostate again and again. I’m desperate to come, to feel his cum inside me.
He grabs my cock, pumping it at the same rhythm he plunges himself inside me.
“I’m going to come,” I growl.
He draws out and slams back in harder and faster. Each time he’s pushing me into oblivion until I’m catapulted somewhere in the stratosphere where only pleasure exists.
“Eth!” he screams as his warmth fills me and mine spills on his hand.
“I fucking love you,” I say, desperate, hoping that this time isn’t like any of the others.
He brushes his mouth over my sweaty forehead and then kisses me. “I know, and I wish I knew you loved me back then. But I know we can’t change the past, only our future.”
“Will you ever forgive me for everything I did to you?”
I can hear his heartbeat. It beats as fast as mine, and it’s the same beat. His heavy-lidded gaze stares at my chest and then at me. “I did long ago. The moment I learned how much you hurt. I wish I could be there with you tomorrow.”
He presses his lips against my throat. “Promise me you’ll come back to me. We finally found us, and I—”
“This is our time, okay.” I hug him tight, as if I’m afraid to lose him, as if I want to assure him that I won’t leave him as everyone else has left him. “We will build that house in Luna Harbor that we’ll fill with kids. Or if not, we’ll be Uncle Zeke and Uncle Ethan. I swear I’ll never leave you.”
“Stay with me tonight,” he asks, pulling me out of bed and into the shower.
No matter what happens tomorrow, this is my new future.
This is us.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ethan
The plane lands in Texas by ten in the morning. The weather is already hot and intolerable. Fitz waits for me in the lounging area.
“What took you so long?” He glares at me.
“My man gave me a goodbye kiss that took longer…” I respond with a grin that I haven’t been able to erase since last night.
“Your man?” he arches an eyebrow. “I hope we’re talking about Zeke because if not, I’m all over that tasty treat.”
A flash of anger runs through my skin. “You have a death wish, don’t you?”
“Whoa. Who knew you’re the jealous kind,” he smirks. “Oh, I did. It’s so easy to get to you. For now, I’ll shut up. Where is lover boy?”
“It’s the last day of school. There’s an end of the year recital for preschool and kindergarten. Sadly, I’m missing it. Hannah promised to record it for me,” I say as we climb in the rental.
“You’re hooked,” he whistles and winks at Clint. “I should get myself a man.”
Clint shakes his head and continues driving.
“Let’s go through this one more time,” Fitz composes himself and grabs a folder from his messenger bag. “After your conversation with her, I’ll deliver the deed to the house.”
“Unless she accepts me and she’s okay with my life.”
“There’s that. Clint here will make sure that she doesn’t have a gun, right? I’d hate to go home with an extra hole,” he says, rubbing his arm.
I glare at him.
“It’s a joke.”
“I am here to make sure there are no weapons on the premises and to stop her if she tries anything against Ethan,” Clint intercedes.
I frown. “What do you mean by that? Is that why you insisted on coming along?”
“Zeke asked me to watch your back,” he answers.
“Aw, lover boy to the rescue,” Fitz says, pressing his hands to his chest. “If you decide to get married, can I be your flower boy? If not, I’ll marry you. The internet and the state of Washington granted me the authority to perform ceremonies. I’ll even throw in a present for free.”
I flip him the finger.
My phone buzzes before I can tell him to go and fuck himself. I’m not in the mood to deal with his jokes.
Zeke: Sorry, I just saw your text. Are you there yet?
Ethan: Almost. I can’t believe you sent Clint to protect me.
Zeke: I can’t believe you didn’t ask him to protect you.
Ethan: I love you.
Zeke: I love you too, and I’m thinking of you.
Ethan: Good luck with the recital.
Zeke: Good luck with…
Zeke: Her.
Ethan: I’ll see you later today.
Zeke: Yes. As a plus, you’ll have me for the entire summer.
Ethan: I have some ideas on how to use your time.
When we arrive at my mother’s, Fitz says, “You don’t have to do this for anyone but yourself. As your friend, I’m proud of you. It’s been a long process, but you’re finally happy. If this doesn’t go well, I want you to remember that it’s only a day, a moment. Your life is what’s in Seattle. You have a big family and a lot of friends who are going to be with you because you’re amazing.”
“Thank you.”
He opens the door of the car. “Let’s go. After this, I’ll take you to a barbecue place that has the best brisket in all of Texas.”
Leave it to Fitz to change moods within seconds.
I ring the bell, and while we wait for her, I tap the side of my leg with the palm of my hand. That’s something I learned from Zeke. It calms me. I don’t know if it’s the tempo or the reminder that our hearts beat at the same rhythm no matter how far away we are from each other.
When my mother swings the door open, she glances at the three of us and says, “I didn’t expect to see you.”
Does she mean today or ever? I count to three before I ask, “May we come inside?”
She narrows her gaze at Fitz and asks, “Are you planning on kicking me out of the house?”
“Why would I do that?”
“I went to New York. The doorman didn’t allow me to go to my apartment. He said you sold it over a year ago.” She taps her palm with the other hand. “Where is the money? You stole it from me.”
“The place was mine. I sold it after you moved out.”
“It was mine.” Her voice is so loud the woman next door stops sweeping her porch and stares at us.
“You took away the little I have, and look where I live now. This is a place for old people. How dare you do this to me?”
I look at Fitz, whose gaze says something like, we-should-leave-before-she-gets-out-the-gun. However, instead of saying what he’s thinking, he says, “Shall we discuss our business?”
“Are your neighbors always out watching each other?” I ask, pointing at the people that are gathering close by.
She lifts her chin and moves to the side. “Come on in.”
“Why are you here?” Her attention goes from Fitz to Clint. “Why would you need your bodyguard and your lawyer with you?”