“I never thought of it like that,” Mom says quietly with respect in her tone, and I find her looking at me with a whole new light in her eyes. “Obviously, you know what you’re doing, but as your mom, you have to understand I want what’s best for you. Not financially, but emotionally.”
“I know,” I tell her, and she reaches out with her hand, capturing mine on the table, and then she leans toward me, kissing the side of my head.
My eyes close as I soak up the feeling of her approval and attention. When I open my eyes, she’s smiling with pride.
“You’ve always been smart, honey.” She pats my hand, then eyes Gus briefly. “I’m just happy to see you’ve found a guy who sees just how smart you are.”
I should feel embarrassed by my mother’s observation, but as Gaston’s hand finds mine and he links our fingers together, I feel nothing but contentment. The rest of the evening progresses without any more deep conversations, and by the time the night comes to an end and I watch my guy kiss my mom’s cheek in goodbye, I’m actually happy the two of them met, and I’m even more happy they seem to get along.
“Thank you again for dinner,” Gaston says.
Mom pats his arm while she tips her head back to look up at him. “You’re welcome at my table anytime.” She lets him go, then comes to me with her arms open and a smile on her face. “I love you, honey.” Her arms engulf me, and then she whispers, “I’m so happy for you, and he really is amazing.”
“I know,” I whisper back, holding on to her a little tighter before letting her go. “I’ll see you in a few days, when Chris and Sam get here, right?”
“You will.” She kisses my cheek, then walks me to Gaston, who leads me to my car and opens the door. I wave at her as Gaston gets into his own car, which is parked next to mine, and then we both back out of the driveway, him following me as we drive the twenty minutes home.
When we arrive at our building, he drives past me to park in the exclusive indoor parking that is only available to those who live on his floor and the one below, and I park in my outdoor space. I get out of my car and start toward the lobby, and he comes out to meet me halfway, looking a little annoyed.
“What?”
“I’m going to move my bike to my club and park it in the storage unit there so you can park your car in my second space. I don’t like that you’re parking out here at night,” he grumbles, taking my bag, then grabbing my hand.
“I’ve been living here for over a year and a half. I don’t mind parking out here, and it’s not like I’m walking a mile in the dark through the ghetto to get into the building,” I tell him, and he glances down at me, not looking any happier.
“I don’t like that you have to walk through this parking lot at all, and since I have the ability to do something to change it, that’s what I’m going to do.”
“What if I said I don’t want that?” I ask.
“I’d say too bad.”
“How did I know that would be your answer?” I mutter, and his hand around mine tightens.
“I want to know you’re safe, even if it’s just making it so you’re able to drive under the building and get into an elevator instead of walking across a dark parking lot.”
“You know I shouldn’t like that you are so overprotective, right?” I look up at him as we enter the lobby hand in hand. “I think it’s written somewhere that a woman nowadays should be independent and self-reliant, that she shouldn’t look for a man to keep her safe.”
“Whoever said that was an idiot.” He presses the button for the elevator when we reach it, and when the doors open, he tugs me inside and hits the button for his floor, then presses me against the wall. “I don’t care if you don’t need to be taken care of because you’re an independent woman. I’m going to take care of you anyway, in all the ways I can.”
I shouldn’t love his words, but I still do. Like everything with him since the moment we met, I’m thankful he is who he is. He makes me feel safe, he makes me feel at peace, and he makes me feel cherished and wanted. I don’t think I could have found a better guy if I was looking for one, and I’m pretty sure I’ve gone from falling in love to being in love with him.
Suggestion 13
BREATHE THROUGH THE GOODNESS
CHRISSIE
I fall back to the kitchen counter, my fingers curving tightly around the edge as I lift my legs higher around Gaston’s hips, moaning, “God, please don’t stop.” I feel the tension in my lower belly start to unravel as my vision dims with the force of the orgasm that’s coming on quickly.
“Give it to me,” he orders, circling my clit, and I let go. My body tingles from my scalp down to my toes as my inner walls contract around him. He continues his ruthless thrusts while manipulating my clit, and my orgasm spirals out of control. I absently hear him groan as his thrusts slow, but my mind and body disintegrate as I continue to come.
Completely lost in the feel of his heavy weight settling against me while he kisses the side of my neck, I wrap my arms around him tightly, whispering “I think I love you” into his skin. When my mind registers his muscles bunching under my palms, I realize what I just said and squeeze my eyes closed.
Oh goodness. There’s a huge difference between saying “I think I love you” to him and admitting to myself I’m falling in love. What was I thinking? Oh yeah, I wasn’t thinking at all. My mind was in Gaston heaven.
“What?” He pulls back, and my eyes open while my hold on him loosens.
“What?” I repeat as his gaze holds mine hostage.
“What did you say?” Every muscle in my body gets tight while the breath in my lungs gets trapped there. “Chrissie.” My name is filled with warning.
I attempt to play dumb, even with my mind still partly mush and my body still floating on the high of my orgasms. “Did I say something?”
“You did.” His expression softens while he slides his arms under my back and lifts me up to face him, causing my breath to catch as he slides impossibly deeper. “You think you love me.”
“What? Why would you say that?”
“Because the words ‘I think I love you’ came out of your mouth not even a minute ago,” he answers, with a small smile forming on his lips.
“Cock,” I blurt, placing my hands against his warm chest, and his head jerks back.
“Pardon?”
“I think I love your cock.” I nod my head, a little proud of myself for coming up with that on a whim. “You missed the words ‘your cock.’”
He grins, and there’s something about it that’s a little scary, but before I can figure out what it is about his look that sets me on edge, he lifts me off the counter and starts toward his bedroom.
“Gus . . .”
“Quiet,” he demands.
My eyes widen, and my heart starts to pound; then, before I have time to prepare for the loss of him, he releases me suddenly and I fall backward, bouncing against the mattress. “What are you doing? I have to get ready . . .” The words for work get lost as he comes down over me, kissing me deeply and turning me on all over again with one kiss.