It takes me a moment to feel her hand on my chest. But instead of pulling me closer, she pushes me away, and my heart sinks.
She wets her lips, and I want to fall to the floor in relief when the corners of her mouth lift in a soft smile. Because she wouldn’t do this if she had bad news, right?
When she lifts one of her hands to brush over my cheek, I lean in to her touch.
“We both should have handled the situation differently. I’m sorry for not telling you about my audition. I was scared and didn’t want to set myself up for failure in case things didn’t work out. I also didn’t want to upset you, or worse, disappoint you.” Her voice is soft, breaking at the last words.
“You could never disappoint me by going after your dreams. I told you to chase them, just to throw it back in your face. That wasn’t fair, and I’ll never forgive myself for ruining your chance. But I’m so proud of you for going after them.” Turning my head, I press a soft kiss to her palm.
“Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. It might have opened another door, but I’m not sure yet.”
“Does that have something to do with your trip to New York?”
“It does.” She pauses, her gaze dropping to my lips again. It seems like I’m not the only one having trouble focusing on our conversation.
“Will you tell me about it?”
“I will . . . Later.” Her pink tongue snakes out of her mouth once more to wet her lips, torturing me in the process. “There are more important things we have to take care of first.”
“Oh yeah?” Please let it be what I think it might be. “Like what?”
She leans in, pressing her warm lips to mine before pulling back to look at me. “Like this.”
The relief is so strong, my body tingles and I hold on to Em for dear life.
Another soft kiss to my mouth, this one lasting longer and ending with a slight tug on my bottom lip, sending my nerve endings into an absolute frenzy.
“And this.”
She travels along my cheek and over to my ear, and I’m reminded of the time I did something similar to her. The first time I got to taste her. The memory alone makes me groan, my dick so hard, it’s almost painful.
I can feel her smile on my skin. This little minx knows exactly what she’s doing. Somehow, that thought turns me on even more.
Her lips nibble on my earlobe, her teeth grazing it gently.
“I love you.” Her whispered words go straight into the deepest vault of my memory to keep it safe.
And into my soul.
And my heart.
“What was that?”
We both know I heard her, but I need to hear those three words again.
“I love you.” Her gaze doesn’t waver from mine. It’s strong and steady, like her voice. “So very much. You and Tanner are my world.”
That does it. I grab her by the waist and stand up with her.
She giggles as she tightens her hold around me. “What are you doing?”
My hands move lower, grabbing her ass, squeezing the soft flesh. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m planning on making up for all the lost time.”
I pull her ass closer and she bites her lower lip.
Fuck, I won’t make it long.
“Your mom and Tanner won’t be back until tomorrow?”
I turn us around to open my bedroom door with my elbow. “That’s what she said.”
“Ooooooh.”
Another pull. Another moan.
I reach the bed and put her on the floor, immediately working on her clothes. I don’t even know what she’s wearing, nor do I care. I pull, unbutton, unzip, and pull some more until she’s finally, finally naked. I’m pretty sure I heard something rip but that’s the least of my concerns right now.
Em covers her mouth with her hand and giggles.
That pulls me out of my sex haze. “What?”
“That was the most caveman thing anyone’s ever done to me.”
I growl in response and bend to capture her mouth with mine. I devour her, suck her lips, and taste her tongue until she moans so loudly, I think I’m going to lose my fucking mind. “Bed. Now.”
“Not until you’re naked too.”
She makes quick work of my clothes while I watch her like a hawk, unable to take my eyes off her. Afraid this is all just a dream.
That she’s here.
That she’s forgiven me.
That she loves me.
Apparently, she’s also trying to give me a heart attack by dropping to her knees and taking my throbbing cock in her mouth, not even giving me a chance to say a word, let alone catch my breath.
As much as I love her mouth on me, the need to be inside her, to become one with her, is stronger.
Pushing my hands in her hair, I grab her head and stop her. “Baby . . . on the bed. Now.”
She blinks once before letting go of me, licking her lips before getting situated on the bed with her legs spread wide open for me.
Inviting me.
Welcoming me.
The condom tests my patience to the limit, and when I finally climb over Em’s body, I have to stop for a quick taste.
“Is all of this for me, baby?” She whimpers under my touch, bucking up into my mouth as I hit her sensitive bundle of nerves.
Another moan, this one so throaty and sexy, I almost come right then.
“I didn’t hear you.” I spread her wetness around, paying extra attention to her swollen nub.
“Yeeeeees.” She lifts her head and glares at me, making me chuckle.
Apparently, that has pushed Em to her limit, because before I know what’s going on, she’s up on her knees, pushing me down on the mattress.
When she climbs on top of me to straddle my hips, we both groan.
She sinks down on me, and desire pulses through me in a sudden flush of warmth, spreading from the groin outward.
This woman is doing it for me on so many levels.
“Jace?”
I look into her eyes. She looks wistful . . . sad. “What is it, Em?”
“I’m giving you my heart. Please . . .”
Oh, my beautiful girl. The trust she’s placing in my hands. I don’t deserve her.
“Em, I will take care of your heart. I will never be so careless again, I promise. I love you, so very much.”
“I love you too. So much.”
And then a realization hits me like a ton of bricks.
Knowing she loves me, that we’re in this together, for good, changes everything. I don’t think I’ve ever been so in tune with anyone before. Sexually. Emotionally.
I don’t want this with anyone else.
Ever.
Neither Em nor I are perfect, but we’re perfect for each other. She’ll be there to help me manage my flaws, while also driving me nuts with hers. But what matters most is that at the end of the day, I go to sleep with the person that completes me in the best, most imperfect way possible.
Thirty-Three
Emilia
Panic fills my chest when I wake up the next morning. Was this a dream?
Talking to Jace. The sex. The declaration of love?
My goodness. My heart squeezes at the thought, at everything that’s gone down in the last twenty-four hours.
I keep my eyes closed, squeezing them for good measure so I won’t peek.
This emotional high feels so good, I need another moment to dwell in it.
A soft chuckle makes me reach out before I slowly lift one eyelid.
The heaviness in my chest gives way to lightness when I look straight into Jace’s beautiful face.
His brown hair is a mess—the perfect sexy bed hair—and his blue eyes crinkle at the corners. I love this face. I love everything about this man.
The corners of my mouth lift, mirroring his expression.
“Good morning, gorgeous.”
“Hey.” My voice is thick with sleep as we stare at each other. Something we’ve done a lot since yesterday. Catching glimpses of
the other one at every possible chance, wanting to make sure they’re still there. Needing to ensure this is really happening.
Because if it’s up to me, this is it.
Despite the fact that Jace isn’t perfect, he’s my perfect match. Just as he’s accepted me with my faults—I’m not delusional and know I’m far from perfect—I have done the same.
Yes, he hurt me.
But I know I hurt him too.
And like he said yesterday, two wrongs don’t make a right. Neither one of our actions were excused because they were okay, but rather accepted as both of us having flaws.
My love for Jace is patient and kind, just like I hope his is for me.
In some respects, I’m actually happy this fight happened. It allowed me to see not only how Jace reacts under pressure, but also, how he handles tough situations and when he makes a mistake. Because in my eyes, that’s what shows real character.
Whereas my parents have done me wrong my whole life, I can’t remember seeing regret in their eyes, not once, or any of them ever attempting an apology for their behavior.
Jace’s immediate pain and regret was so strong and palpable, it was almost like a third person in the room with us.
But my own pain was stronger and won, his actions ripping my heart wide open. That allowed the sorrow from all those times when my family had done me wrong to escape, inadvertently projecting it on him as well.
I didn’t realize I’d locked it all away until that very day. Until it all boiled over, and I finally had to face the fact that I’d been nothing but a doormat to my family.
Jace’s hand reaches out to brush away a strand of hair that fell out of my ponytail. “You okay? You look sad.”
I lean in to his touch.
“Just thinking about everything that happened.” I clear my throat, not wanting the emotion to show in my voice. “And my family.”
Jace’s smile drops. “Oh, baby. Don’t. Knowing that I acted like them for even a few seconds kills me. I will make it up to you for the rest of my life, you have my word on that.”
Another brush of his finger on my face, the touch comforting.
Jace closes his eyes, and when he opens them again, they’re watery. “I’m so sorry, baby. So incredibly sorry.”
Seeing him taken over by his emotions triggers my own, and I blink rapidly. “I know you are. I really do.”
I lean in and press my mouth to his.
When I pull back, we both sniffle, and I have to laugh. “Goodness, we’re a mess.”
Jace gives me a small smile. “I like our mess, even when it’s not always perfect. That means it’s real, that we’re real. And I very much love that and will fight for it as long as you let me.”
I grab his hand and squeeze it. “I like the sound of that.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Tanner bounces in my arms, clapping his hands in excitement. He got home half an hour ago with Patricia and hasn’t left my side since.
Which suits me just fine because there’s nothing like it. Holding him in my arms, feeling him, smelling him. Incomparable.
Patricia hasn’t stopped smiling since she saw that her plan of getting Jace and me in the same room to talk things out worked better than she’d hoped.
Jace and I somehow managed to get out of bed this morning to get everything ready for Tanner’s dinosaur-themed birthday party. Hanging up what felt like two hundred balloons, setting the table with mostly green and brown table decorations, as well as putting together the food Patricia prepped.
Fun things like prehistoric dirt, a.k.a. chocolate pudding, and other delicious treats, including separate tiers for herbivores and carnivores.
It’s precious and Tanner loves it, ogling everything with big eyes.
It’s still not enough to distract me from the situation at hand though.
My hands are clammy as I try to wipe them on my jeans as best as I can with Tanner hanging on me. Even though I’m also grateful he is so clingy since there couldn’t be a more perfect shield for facing Jace’s friends for the first time than this little monkey.
Jace comes up behind me, placing a quick kiss on my cheek. “Are you ready to meet them? They will attack soon if we don’t make the first move.” He chuckles in my ear, and it helps. Maybe.
“Okay.” I’m nervous, because I know how important it is that your partner’s friends like you.
Because that’s what Jace is, my partner. The thought makes me smile as we make our way across the room to the group of people.
And holy moly.
Or rather, holy hotness.
Jace is by far the best-looking one, of course, but I’d be blind to deny how handsome the other guys are.
All tall, wide shoulders, and long, muscular limbs.
Before I have a chance to embarrass myself by trying to memorize their every detail, Jace smiles at me and puts his arm around Tanner and me.
“Guys, I’d like you to meet my Em. Or Millie as some of you know her by.”
The thought of them knowing me from my show never crossed my mind, but the possibility warms my cheeks as I wave awkwardly. “Hey. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
Tanner leans forward with an outstretched hand to get high fives from everyone before happily chatting away.
“Babe, this is Hunter, Noah, and Ryan.” He points at each of the guys as he says their names. Then his finger stops at a woman, a gorgeous, very pregnant blonde. “And this bouncy ball is Ryan’s better half, Harper.”
“I’m so excited to finally meet you. Tanner and I have watched your show, and you’re amazing. I’ve been waiting for some more female dynamic in this group forever.” She takes a deep breath, her hand fluttering to her chest. “Phew, I’m already out of breath again.”
Immediately feeling at ease with her, I chuckle. “Thank you. How much longer do you have?”
“A month, give or take.” She rubs her belly. “Depending on when this prince or princess decides it’s time.”
“Aww, you want it to be a surprise? How adorable. Congratulations, you two.” I glance up at Ryan before looking back to Harper.
“Thank you.” Perfectly synchronized.
Harper takes a step closer. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about water births, would you?”
She lowers her voice, but I’m sure everyone heard her.
The confirmation comes when Jace chuckles next to me. Tanner giggles too, mimicking Jace’s behavior before becoming fascinated with my hair, pulling on different strands and brushing his fingers through it.
Ryan groans. “Babe, we’re not setting up a pool in our house. We’ve talked about this. I don’t like the idea, it’s too risky. Now leave poor Millie alone with that.”
Harper pouts. “But it’s supposed to be so much more comfortable for the baby to come out of my va—”
Hunter interrupts Harper and holds up his hands. “That’s my cue to leave.”
Noah nods. “Me too.”
They both nod at me and smile—Hunter more so than Noah—before sauntering toward the food.
Ryan and Harper are immersed in a whispered conversation about different birth techniques and Harper not talking about her vagina in public. I turn my head toward Jace, who’s already staring at me with a bright-eyed look on his face.
“What?”
His gaze flickers to Harper before he leans in closer. “I can’t wait for you to be pregnant.”
The comment is unexpected and I pull back. Oddly, after letting it settle for a moment, it’s not unwelcome.
“Oh yeah?”
“Uh-huh. I also think we should get back to practicing as soon as possible.” Then he shifts his focus to Tanner, who’s apparently started to chew on my hair without anyone noticing.
Great.
Jace holds out his hands to Tanner who jumps into his dad’s arms after reluctantly letting go of my hair. Jace tickles him, the bell-like noise of Tanner’s giggles echoing throughout the expansive room.
“I think Tanner wouldn’t mind having a brother or sister sometime down the road. Right, buddy?”
Of course, Tanner smiles, and I laugh when Jace presses their faces together, matching cheesy smiles and all.
These guys have become my two main men so quickly that my brain is still playing catch-up sometimes. My heart, on the other side, never had a chance. It’s secured the two most special places for Jace and Tanner, happy as a clam.
Holding up only my thumb, index finger and pinkie finger, I face the palm away from me and gently move it left and right. “I love you.”
“I love you.” Jace closes the distance between us and gives me a quick kiss.
Tanner waves his fingers around, trying to copy my hand movement before throwing his arms around our necks, pulling our heads together. “I-o-u.”
No one says a word before Jace and I pull back at the same time, staring at each other and Tanner with tears in our eyes.
Jace blinks a few times before clearing his throat. “Did he just say what I think he said?”
I nod frantically. “I think he did.”
Jace ruffles Tanner’s hair while I smother his cheek with little kisses.
This is life.
This is happiness.
Ups and downs and all these moments in between.
My perfect imperfect life.
Epilogue
Jace
ONE YEAR LATER
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Em’s breath tickles my neck as she cuddles against my side on the couch.
She’s only wearing shorts and a tank top even though the air-conditioning is on full blast in our hotel room in Tokyo.
I’m the last one to complain though, absentmindedly rubbing my hands up and down her smooth skin, trying to focus on her question and not on my needy dick. “Yup.”
Her hand comes up to my chest as she chuckles, my favorite accessory sparkling on her left ring finger. I was planning on waiting to propose until the Olympic craziness was over in a few weeks, but I couldn’t wait any longer and asked her last month.
It was similar to today. We were cuddled up on the couch the night before the Olympic trials in Nebraska. The only difference is that this time, it’s the real deal. The finale of sorts. The reason I’ve been busting my ass off the last year.
Fresh Meet Page 24
