River watchedas a very naked Patrick placed first one knee and then the other on the bed. She would almost call his countenance grim, except his lower anatomy screamed elation. Pat never took his eyes off her while he slowly started to stroke his sex. Perhaps grim wasn’t the right word. Determined? Hungry? River could feel her core start to pulse in time with his strokes. Her knees, oh so slightly, parted. Waiting.
“Ididmiss you, Riv.” Patrick’s voice was low, even. River didn’t think he was talking about the hours that had passed since he’d left her bed this morning. “You’re finally here. Inourapartment. Inourbed. I’ve dreamed of hundreds of things I’ve wanted to do to you once I got you here.” He paused, looking at her body like he truly couldn’t decide where to start.
“Get on your knees, River. I’ll start there. You can look at the picture you gave me while I take you.”
River felt close to climaxing already. Pushing up so she was kneeling in front of Patrick, she pulled his head down to swipe her tongue inside his mouth— once, twice— before she obeyed and turned to look at the painting, positioning her body on hands and knees.
“Jesus, babe. I wish you could see what I see right now. Your thighs are already wet. You want me inside you so bad.”
River yelped as Patrick squeezed her bottom, almost painfully rough. Not rough enough. “I need you in me, Pat. Now,” she begged.
She felt his shaft sliding between her legs and lowered her arms even more, pushing her ass higher. An offering.
“This is going to be hard and fast. After is for gentle.”
“After?” Her answer was Patrick grabbing her hips and fully seating himself. They both groaned at the fullness, the tight, hot friction. Patrick pistoned faster and harder until, “Oh God, Patrick. Right there, baby!”
Patrick groaned. River felt his sex swell further, setting her channel to pulsing, squeezing. “God,” she whimpered. It felt so good. Her orgasm forced Patrick’s own. He shouted, thrusting deep once more before his body stilled.
River was boneless, her face smooshed into the bedding. Zero fucks were given for her hair and makeup. Patrick laid his back gently over hers, curling his arm around her middle and pulling them both sideways. He wrapped his big body around her own and pulled her tight to his chest.
River sighed. She was so content she could cry from the beauty of it. “I love you, Patrick.”
He kissed her neck and bare shoulder before replying. “You are everything to me.”
“Is this why you wanted me to drop by this morning? And just so you know, if it was, I’m totally okay with it.” River was rubbing his arm when she felt him stiffen at her words. That made her instantly wary. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I swear, but this,” he squeezed her breast, “was not why I asked you here, but I’m not mad about bonus sex either.”
River could tell he was smiling from the teasing note in his voice, so she dropped from a Code Red to Yellow. “Why then? Did you get me a prezzie? You know I love them,” she laughed.
“I’m aware, Miss Byrne. You and your sisters can sniff out anything with the smallest bow.” He slid from her body... and the bed. “I do have something for you. Hang on a sec, and I’ll grab it.”
Interest piqued, River scooted against the headboard, pulling the sheet over her breasts. Patrick was trying to play it casual, but his body language was anything but. He was nervous. This ‘something’ was important.
River tracked Patrick’s naked ass until he stepped into his, no,theircolossal closet. He reappeared less than a second later, and oh wow, the front view was fun to watch as well.
“If you keep staring at me like that, babe, you’ll distract me again.”
River smiled and shrugged. Letting the sheet dip enough to show a hint of nipple, she asked, “What exactly will happen if I distract you?” She laughed when he briefly closed his eyes and moaned.
Undeterred, Patrick asked her if she could stand by the bed.What in the hell?She complied... naked. At least Pat was nak— He was kneeling. “Oh my God,” she breathed aloud.
River’s heart might give out. It was pounding in her chest as she and Patrick looked at one another. “Shit, sorry, Riv. Would you grab the sheet or something to cover up? Your body is distracting, and I need to concentrate.” Holy shit, Patrick was nervous and blushing. Why, oh why, could this not have been recorded for posterity? Oh, right— they were naked. River snatched Pat’s button-up off the floor since it was closest and practically tore the fine material when she punched her arms through the sleeves.
Decent now, or decent enough, she stood back in front of the still naked and kneeling Patrick. He took her left hand in his slightly shaking one. Truth— hers were shaking too.
Patrick cleared his throat. “River,” another throat clearing, “Damn it. This isnothow I pictured this going.”
River used her other hand to sandwich his hand. “Whatever you’re wanting to say, and however you say it, will be perfect to my ears, Pat.”
Briefly touching his forehead with their joined hands, he visibly got his bearings. “You’re right. Love doesn’t need perfection, but... you’ve given me everything by giving me a second chance, and I will always strive for perfection, even if it only appears perfect toyou.
“There will never be anyone for me but you. It was the biggest, but simplest, truth to understand.” River felt faint, and her legs were shaky as Patrick raised his free hand, unfurled his fingers, and presented— a ring. NotMy Precious, but THE RING.
* * *
Patrick openedthe palm that had been gripping River’s engagement ring so tight its grooves were imprinted in his skin. She wasn’t running, and Patrick knew she was an extremely intelligent person, so she had to have guessed where all this was going.
