His warmth enveloped me instantly, a comforting cocoon that shut out the noisy chatter and the clinking of glasses. I nestled closer, my heart fluttering like a trapped bird against my rib cage.
"See," he murmured, his breath lightly brushing my ear, "this is where you belongby my side."
“I just wish I had realized it sooner.” My hand pressed against his chest.
“Julia.” Brett planted a kiss against my forehead; his soft lips against my skin ignited every nerve in my body. “I love you, but sometimes you are so annoying.”
I laughed into his chest, totally understanding his point. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. And don’t ever apologize for being you because this is what I love. Who I love.” Brett motioned the length of my body.
"Brett..." I whispered, tracing the shape of his jaw, fascinated by the feel of him under my skin.
"Yes?" His voice was low, edged with a tender excitement.
“I love you.” I knew I should have said more, but those three words begged to be released from my mouth. I finally stopped thinking and worrying about the future and embraced the moment. Because being here with Brett had never left me feeling this full and satisfied. I didn’t need someone to complete me, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to be loved. Because I wanted to be loved by one man: Brett. And I wanted to love him back. And I would.
He looked down at me, his eyes soft in the bar's dim light. I could see the playful glint I had come to love so much dancing within them. “I love you, too, Julia,” he said. Brett’s deep timbre wrapped around me like a blanket, protecting me from everything else.
The words hung in the air between us, almost tangible. I beamed at him, letting out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
“Good," I murmured and leaned back into his chest. Brett’s arms tightened around me in response.
A silence fell over us, but it was comfortable. It was filled with something new and foreign—an understanding, an acceptance of what we had just shared. We stayed like that longer, swaying gently to a song playing softly while everything faded.
“Should we get out of here?” Brett spoke into my ear, his warm breath tickling my skin.
“What about Amelia and Bridge? They’ll think I abandoned them.” I pointed to the air behind me.
“Something tells me they’ve already forgotten by you.” Brett nodded over my shoulder, and I pivoted, finding Amelia and Bridgette at the bar, chatting up some handsome men in power suits. “How did Amelia convince Bridgette to speak to a guy? I haven’t seen her do that in years.” His brow scrunched.
“Oh, Amelia can convince anyone to do almost anything.” I giggled, watching as Bridgette tossed her head back in laughter. It was a sight I was almost certain Brett hadn’t seen in a long time, and it warmed my heart to see her finally letting loose.
Brett shrugged and grinned at me. "Well, if they're busy, we might as well escape."
“Where should we go?”
“I have a few ideas. How about we go someplace where we can get to know each other better?” Brett flashed a wicked grin, knowing exactly what he meant.
I wasn’t going to argue.
There was no logic or plan when we burst through Brett’s apartment door. Our fingers grabbed for the other’s searing flesh, and our skin ached to join. Brett planted his hand flat on my stomach, pushing me until my back hit the wall. I gasped from the impact, wedged between the hard wall and his muscled body. My chest heaved as Brett tore open my shirt and trailed wet kisses down my neck, running his warm tongue along my collarbone. His lips sent shivers down my spine as he continued to explore my body, his hands roaming every inch of me, stoking the fire burning between us. My legs trembled with anticipation as his kisses trailed lower until his mouth met the delicate skin above my waistband.
He peeled off my shirt and flicked my bra open, pulling it off and discarding it to the far corner of the room. I moaned, thrusting my hips into his touch, craving the warmth of his skin against mine. Brett stood, leaving us eye to eye. Shoving two thick fingers into my mouth, to the point of gagging me, he withdrew the dripping digits with my saliva. Not breaking eye contact, Brett took those fingers, shoving them between my pants and my hot, wet center.
His thick fingers sunk into me, sending waves of pleasure coursing through my veins. My eyes rolled back, my hands gripping his shirt, my nails digging into his flesh.
“Spread your legs for me, baby,” Brett urged, his rhythm picking up, fucking me blindly with two fingers, preparing me. I obeyed, spreading my legs wide, my knees wobbling as he continued to finger fuck me. My heart pounded in my chest as our gazes locked. Brett's eyes were filled with hunger and desire, a perfect match to the inferno building within me.
His fingers were on fire as he pulled them out of me, dangling the glistening digits in front of me. Just when I thought they were going to land on my tongue, Brett redirected his hand, covered in my arousal, and licked my juices until they were gone. Our lips crashed together in a passionate kiss, and we tore our clothes off with desperate hands, tearing the barrier between us. The sound of ripping fabric filled the air, replaced with the sound of our hearts beating in sync, driving us forward. His hands moved down, guiding me as I stepped out of my pants, my body buzzing with anticipation.
Brett scooped me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, my throbbing pussy rubbing against his hot erection. We ended up in his bedroom seconds later, filling the air with our gasps and groans. He collared my neck with his hand and slammed me down onto the mattress. Brett never acted this rough, and I fucking loved it. But this was how much he wanted me. I was there to please him. I was his.
I needed him more than anything, my lust overwhelming me as I covered his body with kisses. I wanted to devour him, to bury myself in his skin. I gripped his face and looked into his eyes, seeing the storm of emotions there. Raw desire, unconditional love, and a hint of terror. We both knew what was coming, and neither wanted to back down.
Brett sat back, balancing on his knees, and threw one of my legs over his shoulders while pushing the other side, opening myself up to him completely with my glistening sex on display. He threw one hungry look at my pussy as he guided his hard cock to my entrance, pushing in ever so slightly. The tease was enough to make both of us go mad. There was plenty of time to take it slow, but right now, neither of us had the patience to wait. I trailed my nails down his sweat-slicked, rippled torso and placed my hand behind his on his dick, easing him into me.
Brett pushed harder, his muscles straining, eyes locked on mine. His gaze was intense, fervent. We shared a raw, primal connection that was stronger than any words. I needed him to take, fill, and make me his. He thrust into me slowly at first, testing my limits, feeling my body respond to him. As he began to pick up the pace, our bodies synchronized, moving in harmony. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, my lips finding his. My nails dug into his skin, leaving red marks. My mark.