Page 115 of Mine to Love
“Reese.” I break the kiss and rest my forehead against hers again while I catch my breath. “I don’t want regrets. I’d rather leave here with an ache in my groin than in my chest.”
“I’ve missed you.”
“God, I’ve missed you every second of every day.” I kiss her again, but this time softly, trying to slow things down. “It’s more than sex, Reese. Hell, I missed that too, but I’ve missed being with you. These past two weeks, leaving you notes and flowers has brought me...joy, as corny as that sounds. Seeing you at the bank, having lunch, coffee...spending time with you however I can is what makes me happy.”
“No one has ever given me flowers before.”
“Really?” She nods. “You’re my first too, Reese. Not only the flowers.”
“What do you mean?”
I trace my tongue along the seam of her mouth and make a trail of kisses across her jawline and along her collarbone. She wants honesty. One hundred percent honesty. There’s no holding back now. I stroke her hair and brush my knuckles against her cheek.
“You’re the first woman I’ve ever loved. The only woman I love.”
“You...you...” she stammers.
“Shit.” I close my eyes and tilt my face toward the ceiling. “I’m not trying to pressure you, Reese. God. Please believe me. I’m just... When I’m with you I feel... Free. Freer than I’ve ever been. It’s invigorating talking to you, trusting you with my feelings. I don’t expect the same from you. We may be at different places—”
“I love you too, Logan.”
I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling before dropping my gaze to hers. I search her face for signs of regret, for insecurity or doubt, and see none.
“You love me?”
“You’re a hard man not to love. I let my pride get in the way of best thing that ever happened to me.”
“So, I’m a thing now?” I tease, tugging her body closer to mine.
“You’re my everything, Logan. I love who you are on the inside and outside. I was angry and felt used, but I understand now why you did what you did. It wasn’t for the reasons I thought. You’re not like that and never will be.”
She ropes her arms across my shoulders and clasps her hands behind my neck. I lower my face closer to hers. “I love you so damn much, Reese.” I pick her up and she wraps her legs around my waist as I carry her down the hall to her bedroom.
“Show me how much.” She runs her fingers through my hair and presses her mouth harder into mine.
I break the kiss and stand next to the bed still holding her. My gut tightens, remembering her accusations two months ago. “No, sweetheart. I don’t love you because of the amazing sex we have. We have the amazing sex because of how much I love you. I don’t need you to offer yourself to prove anything.”
“Hey. Mood killer. I know what’s between us is more than sexual.” She hovers her lips over mine and gyrates her hips into me. “We had the forbidden sex. We had the no strings sex. Now show me what it’s like to make love to someone you truly love.”
“Now that,” I kiss her deeply then release her legs and lower her to the bed, “is something I can definitely do.” I pick up one foot and whip off her boot and thick sock, then do the same to the other.
When I slide over her body, she reaches for the hem of my sweater and pulls it up over my head. “I like you in these casual clothes. I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re Mr. Sexy Billionaire in your suits but I really, really like this guy next door look on you.”
I brace my arms on either side of her head and lift myself so I’m hovering above her. “What guy next door?”
“You know what I mean.” She rakes her nails down my bare chest and snakes her hands between my jeans and boxers. “My favorite look on you is the birthday suit though.”
“Birthday suit, huh?” I nip at her earlobe. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
“That seems fair.” She tugs at the button of my jeans and lowers my zipper.
The relief is instant, and I let out a sigh. “I’m ready to party.”
“What did you say?” Reese giggles.
“Sorry. You make me forget I’m not a cool guy with all the smooth moves and right words. We were talking birthdays and—”
“Shh.” She covers my lips with hers. “Make love to me, Logan. That’s all I want.”