Page 136 of When Hearts Ignite

“You fuck me so good,” I whimper, our pace quickening.

Steven hisses and smashes his mouth on mine as he reaches one hand between us and pinches my swollen clit. “Come for me, darling.”

“Steven!” I cry as I burst into a million pieces, my legs trembling.

He lets out a tortured groan before he rasps, “Fuuuck,” and floods my insides with his heat.

We lay satiated in bed, the soft glow of the morning light streaming through the windows. At this rate, I may as well move in with him since I spend most of my nights here instead of at the apartment.

“Good morning, Grace.” He presses a kiss on the outer shell of my ear as he gathers me into his arms.

Steven chuckles like he’s aware of my thoughts before kissing the sensitive spot where my ear meets my neck and a frustrated whimper escapes my lips.

“Why, I think you’re insatiable for me,” he murmurs, his arms curling around my waist as he hugs me from the back. I feel his hardening bulge pressing into the cleft of my ass through our clothing.

I elbow him softly. “Stop distracting me. How did you function the last thirty years?”

“I was asleep…until you.”

A flood of warmth spreads from my heart to my fingers and toes, and I feel myself melting against him.

My fingers trace his arm, landing on his watch, and I smile. He’s wearing his father’s watch again. Their relationship has mended and has been improving in the last few months. I see more smiles on his face after he talks to his parents on the phone now.

Steven slowly unclasps his watch and turns it over. My eyes widen at the additional inscription there.

Mind over matter. Heart above all.

I look up at him, finding him smiling at me. “You taught me that. Take the leap, follow our hearts, even when times get tough.”

Gnawing on my lip, I rise to my tiptoes and place a soft kiss on his jaw. I love this man so much.

“Come on,” he whispers as he puts back on his watch. “Let’s go inside. They’re waiting for us.”

I bite back a grin as I step into the double doors and see Taylor and Belle rushing up to me, their lips tilted up in bright smiles.

“You’re here!” Tay pulls me into a hug and gives me a hearty slap on my back. “I’m so fucking proud of you, opening your own consulting business.”

She pulls back and grins, her nose piercing, a red crystal heart today, glimmers from the waning sunlight and pendant lighting hanging from the enclosed glass ceiling.

A wet sheen appears in her eyes, but she blinks it away before whispering, “Mom would be so damn proud of you. I know she’s looking down and watching you kick ass.”

My heart squeezes and I nod, a burning sensation creeping behind my nose. Today marks the first day of Peyton-Anderson Financial Consulting opening its doors to the public. I’m the owner and sole employee right now, but between my experience in assisting Elias Kent with his investment analysis and working on the high-profile TransAmerica takeover case at Pietra Capital, calls and emails requesting consulting services have been coming in from others in the business community.

I’m sure the Anderson name on the header doesn’t hurt either.

“Like I said, I’d hate you if I didn’t love you.” Belle arches her brow, her eyes taking on a teasing grin as she pulls me into a hug. “Why are you so smart?”

Laughing, I give her a nudge. “I’d say you’re the smart one, Belle, when you sat next to me in criminal psychology and declared us to be the best of friends.”

She takes a sip of her Long Island Iced Tea and grins. “Of course, I always have impeccable taste. I mean, did you see what your sister is wearing? I got her to actually dress up for this occasion.”

My eyes swivel back to Taylor and find her face souring as she rolls her eyes. She’s wearing a black sheath dress, which looks beautiful on her slender frame and…pearls. But of course, she kept her signature rebellious streaks in her outfit—the thick, black eyeliner, a dark mauve lipstick, her nails painted in the same color as her dress. She looks like the black swan in Swan Lake.

“Belle said they wouldn’t let me in if I were to wear my usual getup,” Taylor mutters under her breath.

“Where’s Millie?” My eyes scan the space, not seeing my petite sweetheart of a friend.

“She’s on her way. She’s bringing a date today,” Taylor replies, her eyes widening.

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