Page 28 of Morally Corrupt

"You'll find out." I wink at her and proceed to serve dinner. Opening the bottle of wine, I pour it in our glasses.

"You're finally of age to drink," I add, amused. Sometimes it's easy to forget our age difference, since Bianca has a maturity beyond her years. Maybe I'd been a little reluctant to pursue her in the beginning because I'd thought her too young, but I was just biding my time and fooling myself in the process.

Ours is a matter of eventuality. It had taken me one look at her to know she was mine, a little longer to convince myself to go after her, and a hell of a lot longer to court her. But I know she feels the same as I do. It's in her slight shiver as I touch her, or the light inflection of her voice after I kiss her.

And tonight, she'll know just how much I love her.

We chat about her week. Since graduation, she's been working hard to put together a foundation against homelessness, and her project is picking up speed. I'd told her she could do it, and I made sure to support her at every point. I know how important it is for her to do this well, especially since her father seems to be against her working.

Tipping the glass to my lips, my eyes are on her, taking in her beauty — both inner and outer, and I wonder how I'm so lucky.

Out of everyone else in this world, she's mine and mine alone.

After we're done eating, we wash the dishes together, and I finally get the courage to ask her to the room.

"I have something for you," I tell her, leading her to my bedroom. Before opening the door, I put my hands to her eyes, steering her to the center of the room, so she's standing right in front of the strewn rose petals.

"What's this, Theo?" She giggles softly, and I can't help myself. I lower my lips to her pulse, skimming the sensitive skin toward her ear before whispering.

"Keep your eyes closed."

I move around so I can face her, and taking out the ring box, I prompt her to open her eyes.

When she does, it's to see me on one knee, ring out, in front of a row of roses that spells out Will You Marry Me?

She gasps, bringing her hand to her mouth, the corner of her eyes full with unshed tears.

"Bianca Ashby, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I ask officially, and she jumps on me, tackling me to the floor.

"Yes! Yes!" she cries. "A thousand times, yes!" She brings her arms around my neck, holding onto me tight. "I love you, Theo." She whispers in my hair, and I feel my heart stop.

Fuck!

If this isn't true happiness, then I don't know what is.

"I love you too, B. So damn much it hurts," I confess, turning her so I can pepper kisses all over her sweet face. "So much."

Taking the ring out, I slide it up her finger — the perfect fit.

"It's gorgeous, Theo," she says in awe, her mouth slightly agape, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you."

"Only for you, little one. Only for you."

The candles are bathing the room in light, and her face looks even lovelier. I raise my hand to tuck a stray strand of hair, lingering on her cheek. I'd like nothing more than to throw her on the bed and take her hard and fast. It's not as if I haven't dreamed about that every single night since I met her. But I can't do that. I need to control myself and make her first time special.

But first, I have to make sure she's ready for it. If she's not, then I'll wait for as long as she needs, even if that means I'll be jacking off twice as much.

I move at the same time as she does, and we meet in the middle, our lips slowly caressing each other. I sneak my hand around her waist, bringing her into me and deepening the kiss.

"B . . ." I whisper, breaking apart for a second. "Are you . . ." I trail off, not knowing how to approach this so she doesn't feel pressured.

"Yes, please," she says shyly, backing up just enough so she can slide the zipper of her dress down and slip it down her shoulders. "I want you, Theo. I want all of you." She's now wearing only her bra and her panties, and I groan out loud at the sight. I don't even think as I scoop her in my arms, and take her to the bed, slowly lowering her on to the mattress.

She's unsure as she tries to cover her exposed skin, and I'm once again reminded that this is new to her, and I need to let her set the pace.

I pull my shirt off and throw it on the floor. Her eyes move greedily over my torso and I'm suddenly glad of my gym schedule. I want her to find me as attractive as I find her.

"The pants?" she asks, her tone breathless. I happily oblige her, leaving my boxer briefs on so I don't shock her.

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