“I’ll disappoint you. I won’t be what you need.” He exhales, his eyes glassing with unshed tears. His jaw tightens with his next exhalation. “Some days I barely find the energy to get out of bed.”
“I’m strong enough.” I take another step. “I can help.”
“I don’t want you to. It’s not fair to even ask. You’ll constantly be expected to conform to our life, when I can’t do the same for you. No.” He shakes his head. “I won’t be the reason you get less than you deserve. You are smart and strong and fierce. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. You should have more.”
“You don’t get to decide how big my love is.” I cup his jaw in my hands so he can’t escape my words or the immensity of their intent. “I’m not looking for a fair and perfect life. I want real. I want you.”
“You really want this? Me?” His Adam’s apple bobs and he swallows thickly. His voice cracks. “Really?”
I nod, taking one last step. I brush my lips over his. My hand slides down his body and I intertwine our fingers, giving them a squeeze and finding his gaze so he comprehends my commitment. “Really.”
“I’m scared,” his other hand brushes against my jaw, cupping my face, “to hope.” He presses his lips to mine. “I can’t take losing anything else. Losing you would break me.”
My heart cracks open a little more. The light of his soul shines through all the bent and jagged parts. His. I want to be his. Completely. Now and forever. “You won’t have to. Not ever.” It’s a promise I’m willing to make for this man.
Thirty-Nine
Isaac
“What can I do?” Her hands slide up my shoulders, her gaze locked on mine. Something about Cora provides relief, a safe space I don’t deserve but seek anyway. Now is no different. After everything I’ve said and how I’ve tried to push her away from my troubles, she pulls me closer. “What do you need?”
Right now, there’s only one thing. “You.”
“I’m here.” She loops her hands around my neck and seals her lips to mine. A promise. A lifeline. She tugs me into her universe, weaving the fibers of our souls with every sacred touch and brush of her lips. Tethering me to the moment so I no longer feel as if everything’s spiraling out of control. If I’m a mad man diving off a building, she’s the net that catches me.
The flame of desire that flickers between us builds and bursts to a fiery inferno. I can’t get close enough. Kiss her enough. Touch her enough. Heavy breaths fill the room along with the rustle of fabric as we strip away our clothes. The need to feel her skin against mine, to be inside her and brand her drives my movement.
My cock, aching and struggling to break free of my boxer briefs, hardens almost painfully at the promise of burying into her sweet pussy. We’re naked and shuffling toward the couch when a cry breaks through our bubble.
Shit. David. “Stay here,” I whisper and reach for my boxers.
Thankfully, the yelp of discomfort from my son isn’t followed with a shriek of screams—something he still does from time to time. Night terrors or bad dreams, I’ll probably never know, but they were almost a nightly occurrence when he first came to live with me. I tiptoe inside my bedroom, careful not to wake him. Stretched out in the center of my bed, his little chest rises and falls rhythmically with his sleep. Good. He’s okay. False alarm.
He’s also killed my boner. I think about moving him to the toddler bed in the corner of the room, but what good would that do? It’s not as if I’m about to fuck Cora in here while he sleeps a few feet away. What I wouldn’t give for a two-bedroom apartment.
I slip back out of the bedroom and silently shut the door.
“He’s okay?” Cora whispers.
“Yeah.” I lift my head and then my jaw falls. Cora. Fucking beautiful Cora, stands in the center of the room completely naked and more tempting than I’ve ever seen her. Her golden locks fall around her shoulders, covering her nipples in a naughty game of peek-a-boo. Her lips, pink and swollen from our kisses, open in a pout that stokes desire in my veins. She’s a vixen, and I’m caught in her intense gaze.
I don’t know who moves first, but in my next breath her lips are on mine—ravenous, demanding intent. My hands trail the expanse of her naked skin, needing to touch her. Hold her. Own her. Explosive need thrums with every touch and kiss. I forget all about our interruption. Almost.
“Bathroom.” I murmur against her lips, then drag her toward the small room. Inside, I lock the door behind us, then haul her butt onto the sink’s ledge. “I cleaned today.” Not that I intend on stopping. I just don’t want her to think I’d bring her into a dirty bathroom for this.
“So thoughtful.” She giggles, but the sound dies as she watches me shuck my boxers. “You are so beautiful.”
“That’s my line.” I step closer, capturing her lips in a kiss before lowering to my knees. “Open.” I push her thighs apart. Her center glistens with arousal. “Fuck.” I need to taste her. Watch her fall apart. Fuck her with abandon. “Hold on to the counter,” I command, then help lift her hips and bring her to my mouth. Licking. Sucking. Tasting. I eat her out like I’m a starved man and she’s the juiciest peach. Her gasps and moans fill the room, encouraging me to push her closer and closer to the edge of her orgasm.
“Isaac.” Cora’s legs tremble, her entire body shaking. “Fuck. Yes. Please.” Her hand cups the back of my head at the same time her legs press together. Almost as if she can’t take any more, but doesn’t want me to stop.
I understand the sentiment. Pushing to my feet, I cup her face and brush my mouth over hers. My tongue dips inside, relishing the way she meets me stroke for stroke. She arches her back, her breasts pressing into my chest, her head tipped to meet my lips. I could kiss her like this forever, but I need inside her more.
I jerk back, tug her off the counter, then flip her so our gazes meet in the reflection of the mirror. Taking her wrists, I lift her hands until they press against the mirror. She leans over, bending at the waist, not once dropping her gaze. My erection presses against her plump ass, begging to slide into her heat. I rub it between her ass cheeks, against her asshole, then along her pussy lips, but don’t push inside. Not yet.
“Stop teasing,” Cora practically groans. She arches back, her hips moving closer to my body while her hands stay pressed to the mirrored wall. “I need you.”
“Condom,” I say, torn because even though I would love nothing more than to slam inside her slick heat with no barriers. I can’t. I won’t. I know all too well what one night of impulsive recklessness can produce.
“I can’t get pregnant, Isaac.” Her words take me by surprise and she must notice. “I have an implant.”
“You do?” I need her full consent. That she wants this. “You’re sure?”
“Please.” She nods and her features sober with her decision. “Fuck me.”
Yes, ma’am. I spread her legs wider, knocking them open with my knees and gripping my cock, lining it up at her entrance before taking her hips in my hands. I lift my gaze. Meet her stare. Then slam forward. Fuck. I groan, or maybe she does too. Pleasure overtakes what’s left of my rational thoughts, ruling my body with the most primal of needs. Back and forward. In and out. My body meets hers. It’s passionate. Pure fucking. An intimate coupling, driving closer and higher with each thrust of my hips.