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Vince
I close the door to the apartment—ourapartment—and lean against it. Maia walks out of the bedroom with a smile on her face. “Everyone gone?”
Pushing off the door, I nod. “Just us now. Come here.”
“Mm. I think you shouldcome here.”
Just her words hold incredible power over my body. “Really?”
She nods.
“Don’t ask for what you don’t want.” I barrel toward her and she squeals as she takes off running. I chase her around the couch a few times before finally tackling her on it and pinning her wrists above her head.
“This feels familiar,” she whispers.
A smile breaks across my lips. “Ah, like when you sexily dragged your frosting-coated finger down my cheek like you didn’t know what you were doing.What you wanted.”
Her eyes flare at my words. “I had no idea what I was doing, but I definitely wanted you. Even though it felt crazy. Were you going to kiss me? I mean, when we fell off the couch and I landed on top of you and felt… all of you.” She tilts her pelvis toward me and it takes all my self-restraint to remain in control. “If Jenna hadn’t walked in, would you have kissed me?”
I drag my lips over her neck as she tilts her head back. “I’d have fucked you right there on the floor if you’d let me.”
“Vince.” Her breathy voice sends me over the edge.
I lean down and press my lips against hers, gliding my tongue into her mouth. She pulls me closer, but something feels the tiniest bit off. I can’t place what it is, but there’s something. I let the kiss continue a few moments longer, but when the feeling doesn’t go away, I slowly pull back from her.
“Sit up.”
Confused, she sits up and looks at me. I sit close to her and swing her legs over my lap. “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes widen and her mouth slides open. “How did you—”
“I know you.” My voice is a low rumble that pulls her attention to me.
“Too fucking well, right?”
“Exactly.” I gently graze my fingers up and down her arm. “Talk to me.”
“Okay. Well, nothing iswrong.I’m happy. And excited.”
“But?”
Sighing, she continues. “But it brought back memories of moving in here for the first time. With Braden. And then moving him out. I’m so happy we’re doing this. I love you. But it’s still scary. If therapy with Braden has taught me anything, I’ve got plenty of my own stuff to work on. I just don’t ever—” Her voice catches and tears fill her eyes.
I gently brush my fingers through her hair. “What, Mai? Tell me.”
“Watching him leave, packing up his stuff… it destroyed me. If I ever had to do that with you…”
She looks down and sniffs back her tears. I know how much she hates crying. And especially how much she hates crying in front of other people. I trace my pointer finger along her jawline and under her chin, then tilt her head up to look at me. “I told you, there’s nothing you could ever say or do that would make me leave.”
“Vin, please. I’m sure there are plenty of crappy things I could do. I’m not perfect.”
I give a firm headshake. “I never said you were. I said your imperfections don’t bother me. They’re part of why I love you. I was honest with you that sometimes I’m going to feel weird or insecure about your relationship with Braden. I know sometimes you’re going to feel the same way about how he left. We all have our baggage, Mai, but we’re in this together. I promised you that the moment we started dating. That will not change. And just like you reassure me, I’ll reassure you as often as you need me to. I love you.”
She leans forward and presses her lips over mine. “I love you, too,” she mutters. Then she slides onto my lap, straddling me, and smashes her mouth into mine again. This time there is nothing uncertain or wrong. It all feels right. Perfect.
“Take your pants off,” she orders.
“Right here?”
“Well, it is our apartment now.”
I kiss her neck and draw the skin between my lips, giving it a hard suck. “You’re right. We should probably do it in every room.”
“Mm. Definitely.”
“You’re sure you’re okay?” I ask, fiddling with the button on her shorts.
She tilts back and looks at me. “Yes. I’ve never felt safer than I do with you. And I don’t just mean safe in terms of comfort or ability to be myself. I know I’m safe to open my heart all the way. Sometimes I still need a little coaxing, a little reminder to push past the fears and anxieties. Once I do, I’m fine. And right now, I’m so much more than that. I’m happy. I’m yours. And all I want right now is you. So, let’s start checking rooms off that list.”
I’m sure as hell not going to argue with that.
