“I’m ready, Ryan,” she says as if reading my thoughts. Stepping forward, she reaches out, placing a hand on my arm. Her touch is like the best sort of fire on my skin. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. It’s why I stayed away so long. I’m ready and I love you, and I’ll never hurt you again,” she promises.
Lowering my head, our foreheads touch and a heavy, shaky breath leaves her lungs as her eyes close. “I missed you,” I whisper, staring down at her.
My world begins and ends with her.
“I’ve missed you too. So much. I’m so sorry,” she says as sweet tears cascade down her reddened cheeks.
My thumbs come up to wipe them away, caressing her silken cheeks and cupping her jaw.
“Don’t cry, sweetheart. Everything is going to be okay.”
Her eyes open, blinking a few times to clear her tears before focusing on me. “Really?”
“Yes. I love you too much to send your adorable ass packing.”
She laughs through her crying, and I can’t help but return her glowing smile.
“Good. I was worried you would be over me by now.”
“Never, Katie. I already told you that. Haven’t my pictures and texts been enough of an indicator of my feelings for you?”
She shrugs a shoulder. “You could just have a penchant for sending pictures and texts. It’s hard to say what kind of kink you’re into.”
I laugh and brush my lips against hers, unable to hold back any longer. She tastes like minty toothpaste and whiskey, and Katie.
She tastes like my Katie and I can’t get enough of her.
Just as I’m about to part her lips and get a real taste, the motherfucking doorbell rings.
“Expecting company?” she asks, quirking an eyebrow up at me.
I nod. “You hungry?”
She nods back. “I’m always hungry.”
“Then I’ll go get our dinner and you can sit your ass down in front of the fireplace, but only after you go upstairs and find yourself something warm to wear. I don’t want you getting my couch all wet.” I pull back with a devilish smile. “At least not yet.”
She laughs, shaking her head and pushing me toward the door like the last three months of separation never happened. Like we’ve been playing this game all along. Like we’ll be doing it with each other for the rest of our lives.
I pay the guy, and when I turn around after shutting the door, Katie is walking down the stairs in one of my shirts and nothing else.
She looks crazy sexy.
She may have something on underneath, or not. There is definitely only one way to find out, though.
“That smells good. I’m starving.”
Me too, I think, but definitely not for food. I set the bag down on the coffee table before crooking a finger at her. “Come here.”
She smiles playfully, knowing where my mind is and fully intending to mess with me. “Mr. Grant, I believe I was promised dinner. Is this how you treat all your dates? With seduction before the meal?”
“Well, madam—” No way in fucking hell am I calling her Mrs. Taylor again, ever. “Most of my dates don’t show up in only a t-shirt after a three-month absence.” I take a step into her, like a tiger stalking its prey. “And they certainly aren’t nearly as sexy as you are right now.”
The hands folded against her stomach are shaking, but it’s not in fear. It’s in anticipation. I can see it in her eyes as they darken the closer I get to her.
I haven’t been with anyone since Katie.
Couldn’t stand the thought of it, really.
So now, I’m going to fucking devour her and we might not come up for air until I have to go to work on Monday. First, I have to clarify something.
“Are you working this weekend?” She mentioned she has a job and I know nurses work odd hours.
She shakes her head, sinking her white teeth into her plump lower lip.
“Do you plan on going anywhere anytime soon?”
Another shake of her head, the damp ends of her hair making rings of water on the cotton of the shirt she’s wearing.
“What if I never let you leave again, Katie? What if I demand you stay here with me forever?”
Her eyes widen at the thought, and I wonder just how ready she really is. But then a smile spreads across her face, lighting up her eyes, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. She steps into me, gliding her small hands up my chest, her eyes watching the motion until they find mine. Holy hell that’s hot.
“Then I guess I’m your prisoner, Master.” Fuck. She crooks a finger at me, asking for me to bend down so she can whisper in my ear. “I’d very much like to be yours forever.” Her sweet breath brushes against the shell of my ear. “I love you, and I’m yours if you’ll have me.”
My arms wrap around her in an instant, and I pull her tightly against me, taking her mouth like a starving man who’s found the best tasting food in the world.
Dammit, I’ve missed her lips, her taste, her smell, her touch.
I’m dizzy. I’m lost. I’m never coming up for air again. Everything I need to survive is in my arms right now, and I’m never letting go. Ever.
“Katie,” I breathe, and she shudders.
“I’ve missed you so much, Ryan. I’m so sorry for everything I put you through.”
“I’ve missed you too, and you have the rest of the night to make it up to me,” I wink. Scooping her up in my arms, her legs wrap around my waist as I carry her upstairs to our bedroom. I’m going to need time with her. Hours and hours, and days and days, and months and months, and years and years.
Forever. That’s what I need.
I set Katie down on the bed gently. Despite how rough I want to be with her, I’m holding myself back. I can be rough with her later, but the first time we’re together again, I want it to be everything she wants it to be.
“Ryan. I need you. Now.” She reaches for me, grabbing my shirt and pulling me on top of her.
Well, on second thought. Fuck gentle.
I ravage her. Taking her mouth hard, I rip my shirt off her small curvy body, only to find that I was right about nothing being underneath, other than her panties. A guttural groan comes from my chest and I can’t get enough. Can’t touch her enough, taste her enough, kiss her enough. I need more.
“More,” she moans, reading my thoughts exactly as she arches her back, her lips parted. So fucking hot. “Oh god, Ryan. More.”
And that’s exactly what I give her.
Because she’s more.
She’s so much more than anything I’ve ever experienced. Nothing will ever feel as good as being inside Katie. All of my fantasies and memories and thoughts about being with her have not done the real thing justice. She’s incredible. We come together, her nails raking down my back, only adding to the pleasure of it.
Katie is wrapped up in my arms, her back to my chest, my nose buried in her hair. It’s hard to believe that this is real. That she’s back and in my arms without any plans to leave.
“I’ve missed you so much, Katie.” I feel like a broken record saying that, but I can’t seem to stop.
She nuzzles against me. “Me too, baby. Me too.” We lie like this for a few more moments, our breathing evening out again when she says, “Ryan? I’m really hungry.”