I lift her onto the edge of the pool in one smooth motion. She’s exposed now, vulnerable, dripping wet and gorgeous in the candlelight. I spread her legs and settle between them, my shoulders wedging her thighs wider.
“Stefan, I’m serious. We should talk about this?—”
“Later.”
I put my mouth on her and she stops talking.
Her hands tangle in my hair. Her thighs tremble against my shoulders. I take my time, savoring every gasp, every moan, every broken plea of my name. “Stefan—oh, God—Stefan, please?—”
I love it when she begs.
I flatten my tongue and drag it around her lips, savoring the taste of her. I get closer and closer on every pass, teasing, never quite giving her what she needs. Her hips buck against my face and I press her down with one hand splayed across her lower belly.
“Stay still,” I growl against her.
“I can’t?—”
“You will if I fucking tell you to.”
Then, right as my tongue finally presses directly on her clit, I slide two fingers inside her. It’s instant combustion. I hook those fingers towards her belly button and suck her clit into my mouth.
She comes with a sputtering moan.
After she’s done, I pull her back into the water. She clings to me, a limp pile of flushed skin and tangled hair.
“That was unfair,” she murmurs. “Using sex to shut me up.”
“I fight very dirty.”
I push off from the side and we go floating into the center of the pool in contented silence. The stars are fully out now. I can’t remember the last time I looked up and actually saw them. Boston’s too bright, too busy.
Here, it’s just us and the night and the future stretching out ahead.
“I love you,” I say.
Her eyes shine. “I love you, too, Stefan.”
I kiss her, slow and tender, tasting the words on her lips.
By the time we finally get out of the pool, the night air is cool on our skin. We wrap ourselves in towels and head inside.
The bedroom is dark except for the moonlight streaming through the windows. We don’t bother turning on the lights. We make love slowly, without a care in the world. Just us, skin to skin, heart to heart.
When it’s done, she goes to sleep tucked against my side.
I stay awake a little while longer, watching her. I think about what she said earlier. About family. About grandparents.
The truth is, I want that for our child, too. A full life. Love from every direction.
But my mother?
No. I can’t go there. Can’t open that door. She made her choices. I made mine. And now, we all must live with the consequences.
I nestle Olivia closer and close my eyes. For the first time in weeks, sleep comes easy.
I dream of a little girl with amber eyes and a smile that could light up the world.
40
