My words come out more bluntly than I meant, but I need to figure out what is wrong with her, with us. Every second that goes past with this new wedge between us feels like an eternity.
“I know I’ve been quiet,” she says, her fingers twisting in her lap. She finally looks up at me and the uncertainty I see there kills me. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate what you did tonight, it’s, well, it’s so sweet and romantic. I just…”
“Just what? C’mon Tawny, talk to me, babe. Please.” I’m pleading and I don’t care. I can’t lose her again. Not now, not when I’ve finally got her back again. Not when I finally have everything lined up for our happily ever after.
“I’m scared you’re going to leave again and I won’t survive losing you a second time!” she cries out, flinging her hands in the air before she sinks back onto the couch with her arms crossed over her body.
The silence after her outburst is deafening, but only for a second. Then I’m laughing, but not at Tawny. It’s pure relief exploding out from me. It’s not the best reaction, and judging by the hurt and anger on Tawny’s face, I should stop.
“Nice to know my pain is funny to you,” she says angrily, and goes to stand up. I grab her hand and tug her down into my lap, still chuckling.
“No, babe. That’s not it at all. I’m sorry I’m laughing. I’m just so fucking relieved to hear you say that.” Tawny’s arms are still folded as she sits in my lap, stiff and not looking at me.
“Tawny. I’m not leaving. I want to live here, in this house, with you. I want to marry you and have babies with you, and never leave your side longer than I absolutely have to.” That’s not exactly the way I had planned to tell her this, but I think telling her the truth is more important than making things romantic right now.
She softens in my arms at last and turns her head to look at me, her eyes wide with uncertainty. I can feel her searching my face, looking to see if I’m serious. I am, one hundred percent, and I hope she can see that.
“Really?”
“Really. I met with Marcus earlier today. We’re signing contracts this week for me to take over as the lead contractor on the Northgate project. I’ve got interviews set up with some of my guys to hire a foreman to take over the on-site work on the mainland, and I’m going to move my main office here. My admin assistant has already said she’s willing to move. I’m staying, Tawny. For good.”
She smiles and her eyes brim with happy tears. She throws her arms around me and buries her head in the crook of my neck. Finally, the tension that was getting so thick between us fades away.
“I take it you’re good with that plan?” I tease, and she nods against my skin. I chuckle again and she lifts her head to glare at me.
“You laughed at me. Laughed!” she says, but the accusation is softened by the feel of her lips against my shoulder.
“I know, T. I was so worried about why you were quiet over dinner. Finding out it was because you want me to stay was such a relief, I just started laughing. I didn’t mean it as an insult; I’m sorry babe.”
She huffs, but I know I’m forgiven. Especially when her fingers twist into the hair at the base of my neck and she pulls me in for a soft kiss.
“You’re staying. For good. With me.” she says in between kisses, and I nod in agreement to each statement.
“I am. Forever if you’ll let me.”
“I’ll allow it,” she replies, her voice full of mock severity. I grin and dive my fingers between us to tickle her sides until she’s giggling and smiling, and I can finally breathe knowing we’re going to be fine. But when my finger grazes the underside of her breast, her laughter catches on a gasp. The energy changes in an instant, from light and fun to seductive and needy.
I need her, I need to feel her surrounding me, cementing our love and bonding us together.
Chapter twelve
Tawny
Forever with Mac sounds pretty darn good, and my head is spinning from his news. He slowly inches my shirt up and I lift my arms to accommodate what he wants as we continue to touch, tease and kiss each other. I trace his face, his neck, his shoulders with my lips, and I can feel my heart slowly relaxing, memorizing the feel of him. He’s mine; I get to keep him. It feels unbelievable, and yet so,soreal.
Our clothes come off in a rush and soon we’re standing in my bedroom, the curtains closed against the outside world. It’s just me and Mac, baring not just our bodies to each other, but our hearts and souls as well. Time slows down and so do we. He’s leisurely in his exploration of me, his lips and his fingers running over my body, leaving shivers of desire in his wake.
“Mac…” his name comes out in a breathy sigh as his lips coast over the swells of my breasts. His hands wrap around my waist and suddenly I’m lifted in the air. My legs are wrapped around him and I can feel his cock nestled between us, pulsing with his arousal. He sits down on the edge of my bed and lays back, bringing me over his body. My hair is loose and he gathers it in his hands, pulling it gently to the nape of my neck.
“You’re so beautiful, T. It’s like I’m looking into the face of heaven,” he murmurs, as his eyes rove over my face with reverence. His abs contract under my hands as he lifts himself up to kiss my forehead. I’m filled with need as I shift myself off the bed until I’m kneeling between his open legs. His cock is right in front of me and I lick my lips before grabbing it and squeezing lightly.
Mac groans and a drop of pre-cum appears. I lick it up without a second thought. God, he tastes good.
I wrap my lips around the head of his cock, and hollow my cheeks, bringing him deep into my mouth. The sounds he makes encourage me as I work him up and down with my mouth and my hand, alternating between deep sucks and licks and swirls around the tip. The muscle memory of bringing Mac pleasure is coming back to me and I settle into the rhythm I remember drives him wild. Sure enough, it isn’t long before he’s pulling me up into his arms with a growl. He plunders my mouth, his tongue darting in and out.
“I need to be in you.”
“Then do it.”
