by Regina Cole
Thinking of you. Miss you. I hope your dad is getting better, and that you are happy.
She paused in her typing, staring at the window to her left.
He’d stood there. Naked. Silhouetted by the streetlight the one time they’d been together in her apartment. She’d never gotten the chance to show him the change he’d made in her self-esteem. And that was one of her biggest regrets.
Shaking her head internally, she turned her attention back to the phone.
One day maybe I can see you again, and shed some light on us. Until then, please remember that I do—and always will—love you.
Before she could change her mind, she tapped the SEND button, and watched the progress bar light up blue. There. Sent. Her words were on their way to him, and nothing she could do would snatch them back.
She didn’t want to take them back.
As much as she’d love to scan through her texts and relive every moment she’d had with Rob, she really needed to continue packing. Placing her phone back on the arm of the couch, she stood, scrutinizing the rest of the apartment.
The kitchen was going to be a bitch to pack. She should probably get started on it now. There weren’t enough boxes to finish it, but maybe in the morning she could go by the liquor store and see if they had any more—
Her doorbell rang and derailed her train of thought. Frowning, she stared at it.
Hannah wouldn’t be off work yet. Maybe Tasha, her neighbor? No, Tash was at class on Wednesday afternoons. Her landlord’s teenage daughter had mentioned stopping by to lend a hand with packing, maybe . . .
Stacey swung the door open, and her heart stopped.
There, on the welcome mat she hadn’t yet packed, with his phone lit up in his hand, stood Rob.
“I’m here,” he said simply, tapping the text on the screen. “I’d love to see the light you mentioned.”
Maybe it was the sadness. Or the desperation. Or the certainty she’d had that she would never, ever see him again, never get the chance to show him what he meant to her. But the hesitation was gone. She could no more stop herself from flying into his arms than she could stop herself from loving him. Both were an impossibility.
She clung to him, and her tears overflowed. His big, strong arms wrapped around her, and when she could breathe again, she felt him shudder slightly. Hugging him tightly, she willed every bit of love and comfort she had into his strong body, which still lined up with hers more perfectly than she even remembered.
His heart thumped against her cheek, his warmth bled into her, and with the beautiful scent of him filling her nostrils, Stacey finally felt what she’d been missing ever since that phone call that had made her doubt everything.
Home. When Rob was with her, she felt at home. And now, even though everything had gone wrong, somehow she knew that things would be all right. How could they not?
Her love was there and holding her once more.
* * *
Rob held Stacey tightly.
He couldn’t stop the tears that sprang to his eyes as the delicious feeling of her in his arms registered. There was just too much emotion. The loss of his dad, the sight of her standing there, so beautiful, and yes, a little of the hurt that she hadn’t been at his side for the entire ordeal. But it didn’t matter. She was here now, and in his arms, and that was the way things would stay if he had anything to say about it.
She pulled back, and he wasn’t surprised to see there were tears in her eyes, too.
“Why didn’t you text me?”
He threaded his fingers through hers. “Let’s go inside.”
Stacey looked past him then, and finally seemed to notice that her neighbors were watching. She waved and backed into the apartment, and Rob followed, never letting go of her hand.
As the door shut behind them, he pulled her into his arms again. He didn’t want to let her go, not now, not ever.
“I was so worried about you. When I went to the gym and Brandi told me you didn’t want to train me anymore, I thought—”
“I know. That was my fault. I’d vented to Brandi a little, and, well—I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too. I should’ve left and come with you anyway.” She sniffed. “How are things?”
“My father died.”
She looked up into his eyes then. “Oh God. I’m so sorry.” She reached up and put her hand on his cheek. “And I wasn’t there for you. You must hate me.”
He reached up and caught her hand, bringing it down to his chest. “I could never hate you. That’s in the past now, and all that matters is what we do going forward.”
He leaned down and caught her lips in a kiss, pouring all of the feelings inside him into that one, sweet, simple gesture. She responded passionately, twining her arms around his neck and opening her mouth to him. He tasted her depths, tongue swirling over hers, tasting, touching, breathing in every part of her.
His hands moved down her back to cup her ass, bringing her high and hard against him. His blood was hot, surging through his veins as he sought to purge the bad memories with her.
She twined her fingers in his hair, tugging, the delicious pain fanning the flames of his passion. She was so soft, so perfect against him, and it was like they had never been apart.
He pushed her backward toward the couch, and as they fell in a tangle of limbs, her laugh wrapped delight around his heart. “I missed you,” she whispered against his ear as his kisses trailed down her neck. “I missed this.”
“You’ll never have to miss me again, because I’m never going to let you out of my sight.” His teeth grazed her collarbone, and she shivered. The reaction hardened him further, made him want to rip her clothes off and immediately sink into her delicious, wet warmth.
He reached underneath her shirt and his fingertips wandered their way up her belly, then her ribs, memorizing each centimeter of skin along the way. Threading his fingertips beneath her bra’s band, he relished the feel of the softness of her skin. She moaned, arching her back a little as he moved his hands behind her. He brushed against the catch of her bra.
“Let me,” she said, then sat upright and reached behind her.
He sat on the edge of the couch and watched as she unhooked her bra. Then she stopped.
His breath paused in his throat, and he waited. He knew what was coming next. What she would say, how she would look sheepish, a bit embarrassed, but the clear need would be written across her beautiful features. And he wouldn’t deny her. He would go, and he would love her in the dark. If that was what she needed, if that was the only way he could have her, then he would love her with the lights off for the rest of their lives.
But she reached down and grasped the hem of her T-shirt. In one smooth motion, she pulled it over her head. Then he watched with disbelief as she slipped the bra straps from her shoulders and let the lacy white undergarment hit the floor.
Hands fisted at her sides, her face a study in concentration, passion, in the tiniest hint of fear, she stared at him as if daring him to comment.
He was stunned. Deliciously, wonderfully stunned.
“I—” She hesitated, then cleared her throat, color climbing up her cheeks. “I want you to see me.”
“Stacey.” He reached for her, gathering her into his arms, tucking her close to his chest. “You are so beautiful.”
In the late afternoon light, her skin was incredible. Peaches and cream, softness all over, he watched his hands move over places they had only known in darkness before. The skin of her back, the sweet curve of her hips, all the way around to the softness of her belly, the fullness of her beautiful breasts that he had seen only once before.
He touched her everywhere, leaving no portion of her skin unseen, and through it all she kept her gaze glued on his face. He knew she was waiting for judgment, for disgust, for any kind of negative emotion. But she wouldn’t find it from him. He found every square inch of her beautiful.
Once he had seen her, touched her, it wasn’t enough. His lips followed
where his fingers had quested, kissing from shoulders, chest, to the sweet tips of her puckered pink nipples. He loved looking up at her and seeing her lips part as he grazed the tip of her breasts with his teeth, so gently.
Her brilliant blue eyes were alive with passion, and finally, finally, he could see her react to him. Could worship the body he’d come to know through touch. Could truly connect with the woman whom he loved.
“Rob, I want you so much.”
“I want you too,” he said as his erection stretched the confines of his cotton briefs.
“Come on.” She stood then, and held out her hand to him. “Let’s go to my bedroom.”
Chapter 31
Curiously bold, Stacey led Rob down the hall, wearing nothing but the jeans she’d been packing in. Never before had she felt this comfortable around anyone while wearing so little.
But Rob made her feel safe. Feel beautiful. Feel loved. The least she could do was to trust him enough for this.
She flipped the light switch on as she passed through the door, her skin prickling in anticipation.
This was it. This was the night. And nothing else mattered.
He pressed her down softly, the covers cool against her back. A brief brush of his lips on hers, and then he knelt between her legs, looking down at her like he couldn’t get enough of the sight of her.
Feeling his gaze cover her, she reached down for the button on her jeans. Slowly, she worked it free, lowering the zipper. Lifting her hips, she began to work the material down her thighs. He took over for her, sliding them down past her knees, backing off the bed to pull them free of her bare feet.
Fear darted through her heart for a brief second, but she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was Rob. And he loved her. There was no need to be ashamed.
When she opened her eyes, he was looking down at her with the most beautiful expression on his handsome face.
Wordlessly, he hooked his fingers beneath the waistband of her panties and pulled them free, too.
She was naked. There was nothing to hide her body from sight. And the gorgeous man in front of her was totally transfixed by her nudity.
“Stacey, you are so beautiful.”
She knew she wasn’t. She wasn’t perfect. But if this man—this bullheaded, bossy, strong, incredible man—wanted to believe it, who was she to correct him?
Smiling like a siren, she pushed up on her elbows and gave him her best come-hither look.
“I’d compliment you, too, but it’s hard to see what I’m working with.”
He didn’t argue. Just shed his clothing and allowed her to look her fill. And look her fill she did.
God, why had it taken her this long to let him turn the lights on? Rob in the dark was incredible. But Rob in the light?
Heaven had a mascot, and he was right here in front of her.
He was beautiful, and he thought she was beautiful too. She held her arms up to him and he came to her willingly, holding her tight, kissing her with incredible fervency.
Somehow, being together in the light felt so much more intimate, more special, than anything they had done before. She watched his face as he kissed his way down her body, and though she tried, she couldn’t find anything other than adoration and passion written on his chiseled features.
He kissed her everywhere, and then she returned the favor, kneeling alongside him, bending to press her lips to the center of his chest. She had pulled her ponytail free earlier, and her hair fell around her, making little tickling trails across his skin as she kissed her way down his taut torso, past his belly button, down to his jutting erection.
Cupping his cock with both hands, she looked up at him. His jaw was tight, hands fisted in the covers, and a drop of crystalline liquid appeared at the tip of his hard shaft.
“I want you to watch this,” she said. And as she opened her mouth to enclose the head of his cock, he groaned. She felt more powerful than she ever had in her entire life. The salty-sweet drip coated her throat, and she smiled around him as she took him deeper. Velvety skin so soft, it made all the deep places within her weep. She wanted more of this, wanted all of it, forever.
She set up a rhythm, taking him deep into her throat, then pulling back. Her cheeks hollowed out as she sucked his cock harder. His hips lifted with her rhythm. But she wasn’t satisfied. Her body begged for more. This was delicious, it was wonderful, but it couldn’t satisfy her totally. She needed to have him inside her for that.
So good. He felt so good inside her mouth, her tongue swirling around his head and then gliding down the underside of his shaft. One hand cupped his sac, and her other splayed across his abs to feel his reactions to her every move.
“Stacey, I can’t last much longer like this.” His voice was a hoarse rasp.
She let go with a slight pop. Smiling, she licked her lips. “That’s okay, if you want to. I can keep going.”
“I would rather fuck you.” His bald-faced statement earned approval from her, and as he rose up to pull her toward him, she let him have his way. Gripping her arms, he turned her and pressed her down into the softness of the pillows beneath her.
Before, he’d been slow, gentle. Exploring her, as if needing to get to know every part of her. This time? This was no sweet exploration. This was possession. With every kiss, every touch, every nip and lick and pinch, he was claiming her. Owning her. Her body knew its master, and obeyed as he commanded. When his head dived down between her legs, she curled her fingers into his hair and let out a long, low moan.
This. No one could ever make her feel like this, not like Rob did.
He sealed his lips around her clit, and his tongue flicked the sensitive nub. Over and over again he tortured her, and teased her, made her lower belly tense and release. His ministrations set up an aching throb of need within her.
It was good, God, it was so good, but it wasn’t enough. She needed his cock.
“Please, Rob. I need you.”
“What do you need, baby?” His breath blew against her sensitive labia.
“I need you to fuck me. Now.” Before she had asked, now she demanded. She could not wait any longer.
He rose on his elbows then, over her, looking down at her as if she were the answer to every prayer he had ever uttered. She would never get used to feeling like this.
“Ready?” he asked, his voice rough.
She nodded.
The blunt head of him parted her, stretched her, and as he entered her they both let out a sigh together. Their breaths mingled, their bodies joined, and Stacey stared up into Rob’s eyes as he moved within her and made her his.
She held him tightly as he rocked, plunging deeper into her warm depths. Her body stretched to accommodate him, her inner walls wet and welcoming, and she gripped him with all the strength she had.
She never wanted this to end, never wanted him to leave, but the fire burning within her could not be sustained forever. She was burning, burning up, and he was the one holding the torch.
Higher and higher her passion crested, and she dug her nails into his shoulders, then his hips, urging him deeper, faster. She needed more, needed him.
He grew harder inside her, his hips pistoning in and out in an unrelenting quest for their mutual pleasure. And just when Stacey thought she could not hold on any longer, he reached down between them and found her clit.
She screamed against his chest. Her mind and body shattered, and she had no choice but to ride the wave of pleasure to its completion.
He came not long after, one stroke, two, and then he collapsed atop her, his hot, wet pleasure filling her body in the most delicious way.
Stacey held on to him tightly, turning her head to the side so she could breathe. His heart thumped against her cheek, and there in the light, she smiled.
Of all the men in the world, this one was hers. And she could not be more grateful.
He loved her all through the night, pouring his emotions into every encounter they had. And never once did they tur
n off the lights, though they did opt for the softer lamplight once the sun went down.
Staring down into the sunny blue of her eyes as he entered her was as close to heaven as he’d ever felt on earth. Seeing her smile, laugh, nuzzle against his skin as they held one another began to heal the wounds in his heart.
Around three in the morning, they began to talk. She told him about her project, the fire, how she had felt when she’d lost her job. And he told her about his father’s decline, how hard it was to be strong for his mother and sisters, and how his mother had told him about his father’s pride in his accomplishments.
When the emotions overcame him, she held him as he let tears fall. For what he’d lost, yes, but also for what he’d gained.
And then he kissed her, and she kissed him back, and slowly, gently, they made love into the morning.
* * *
When he opened his eyes, the sunlight streamed through what should have been a solid wall.
He blinked twice before he realized he wasn’t back at home, and he wasn’t in the hospital lobby. He was with Stacey. Well, he was in Stacey’s bed. She wasn’t beside him.
Sitting upright, he propped his elbow on his raised knee and yawned. He should get up. The clock on the table beside him declared the time to be 9:15. There was a lot to do today. He’d have to get up and head back to Charlotte tomorrow in order to arrive in time for his father’s memorial service.
The memory still hurt, and he was pretty sure it always would. But now there was someone to hold his hand and stand beside him through it all.
Tossing the covers back, he swing his legs over the edge of the bed. The future. It wasn’t something they’d discussed yet, but he knew what he wanted to do. The only question now was what her answer would be.
His clothes were piled on the floor, and he slipped into his pants before walking into the hall to look for her. Bare feet on her hardwood floors made no sound, so when he walked into her kitchen, he found her with her back toward him.
