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I brush the tiny stray hairs out of her face. “All I’ve done is think about what happened and I completely understand, baby. Particularly after Devon. I had no idea you doubted my commitment to you. I’m so, so sorry. It kills me to think I’ve hurt you. My inability to communicate you’re my future, that’s on me.”
Her eyes blink open. Silence stretches between us, but it’s not the cold, distancing void from the other night. This one is bursting with understanding, a chance to reset.
“As I told you that night, seeing Zoey with her baby, it stirred something in me.” Shay rubs her flat belly. “I want that someday—a family, a life with you.”
I cup her face and move closer. “I want that too.”
“I’ve been scared, Austin.” Her blue eyes seem to bore into my soul. “Scared that maybe you weren’t on the same page.”
The raw honesty in her confession leaves me reeling. “Shay, after I got my mom out of that situation, I immediately dove into the acquisition. I’ve been so caught up in securing our future, I lost sight of the present. Of us. All want is for my life to be wholly intertwined with yours. I’ve been so terrified of messing things up that I ended up doing just that.”
“You’re okay with my role at the foundation?” Shay’s voice is so quiet. I hate that I’ve come across as unsupportive.
Fuck.
“Yes,” I say with absolute conviction. “If it’s what will make you feel as accomplished as I feel with Hungry Llama, then of course I want that for you. I want you to feel like a billion bucks, baby. I support you one thousand percent.”
She lays her head on my shoulder. Places her hand on my thigh. “Thank you for saying that. From now on, let’s try to communicate better. The potential of what we have is so exceptional. I don’t want to let our pasts dictate our present.”
“I know,” I whisper, kissing the top of her head. I’m trying not to focus on the taut nipple trying to break free from her little tank top. “I’ve been thinking of a way to show you how committed I am. How much I want this. Can you trust me on this?”
Her eyes search mine. “Yeah, but what do you mean?”
My heart races, I don’t want to come off as desperate. “After the deal goes through, I have plans, Shay. Big plans for us.“ I put my arm around her shoulder and pull her into my lap, her back to my front. Tilt my face down so our lips are touching. “Right now, all I want is for you to know how deeply I love you.”
“God, I love you so much.” A tear rolls down Shay’s cheek. She angles her arm back to caress my face. “Austin, I’ve never felt like this. You have to understand that. I need you. So much.”
Our lips meet in a passionate, yet reverential kiss.
A promise. An understanding. A symbol of trust.
Every layer we unravel, the bond she and I share deepens.
Proving that our love is the real thing.
A forever thing.
Chapter thirty-eight
Shay
A Few Minutes Later
There’s nothing better than being in Austin’s arms.
The warmth of his body and his clean, fresh scent feels like home. His arm bands my waist. His other hand holds my face as we kiss.
It’s not long before our kisses grow heated and the hand resting on my stomach slides up to cup my breast. Austin’s thumb works my nipple into a peak, then he pinches and pulls it a little, causing me to squirm against his cock, which is pressing against my back.
“I don’t want to start something if your parents are going to come home.” Austin groans and pulls away.
Gripping his jaw, I capture his lips again, murmuring, “They’re gone for the day.”
My revelation causes a frenzy. We’re ravenous. He holds me tight against him as our mouths fuse and tongues slash together. Reclaiming our bond.
Austin trails the fingers of one hand down the front of my loose, sleep shorts. The other pulls the little strap of my tank top down, exposing my breast. He presses his palm against my pubic bone as he lightly circles my clit with his finger. Bends down to suck my nipple between his lips.
“God, Austin.” I bend my knees and plant my feet on his thighs to give him better access. “Yes, keep going.”
