“Who needs a swimsuit?” he retorts with a grin, tossing his shirt aside and kicking off his shoes. He’s already down to his boxers by the time I catch up, and I can’t help but laugh, the sound echoing off the tiled walls.
“Alright, alright,” I concede, pulling off my own clothes and letting them fall to the floor. When I’m finally naked, Lucas’s eyes roam over me, his gaze filled with appreciation and something darker, more primal.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs, his voice thick with desire as he reaches for me.
We slip into the water together, the warmth enveloping us as we move through the pool in unison. There’s a lightness between us now, a sense of freedom that comes from knowing we’re finally on the same page, finally moving forward together.
After a few leisurely laps, we make our way to the edge of the pool, climbing onto the side. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his lap as the water drips from our bodies, cooling in the open air.
His hands roam over my skin, his touch teasing, but there’s a tenderness in the way he holds me, a love that radiates from every movement.
“Lucas…” I murmur, my breath hitching as he trails kisses along my neck, down to my collarbone.
He doesn’t respond with words, but I can feel his intentions in the way his hands tighten on my hips, in the way he pulls me closer, his need for me evident in every touch.
I lean into him, giving myself over to the sensations, to the pleasure that he knows so well how to draw out of me.
His hand slips between my thighs, and I gasp as he begins to tease me, his fingers moving in slow, deliberate strokes that make my head spin.
He doesn’t let up, his touch relentless as he brings me closer and closer to the edge, his name spilling from my lips in a breathless chant.
When the climax finally crashes over me, it’s like a wave of pure bliss, leaving me trembling in his arms, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Lucas holds me close, his hands gentle as he soothes me, grounding me in the aftermath of the intense pleasure.
As I come back to myself, I turn in his arms, cupping his face in my hands as I look into his eyes. “I love you, Lucas,” I say softly, the words carrying all the weight of my love and commitment. “I can’t wait to have children with you.”
His eyes darken with emotion, and he presses his forehead to mine, his voice thick as he asks, “Children, plural?”
I grin, nodding as I brush a kiss against his lips. “Dozens.”
He laughs, the sound deep and warm, before swatting my behind lightly. “Maybe we’ll start with one,” he teases, pulling me into another deep, lingering kiss. “See how that goes.”
49
LUCAS
Three months later…
I stand in the office where she came in for her interview, gazing out at the city below. The view from up here is as commanding as ever, but today it holds a different meaning.
This is where I first caught her, where everything changed. It’s strange to think how much has happened since that day—how much we’ve both changed.
Emily’s been working as a journalist for the last couple of months, building a business from scratch, getting commissions for more stories, all off her own back.
The door opens behind me, and I turn to see her walk in. She’s breathtaking, as always, but now there’s something even more captivating about her. The rounded bump beneath her dress is a visible reminder of the life we’re creating together, of the future that’s slowly taking shape.
She smiles when she sees me, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Why did you want to meet here?” she asks, crossing the room to stand beside me.
I reach out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, unable to resist touching her. “I thought it would be fitting,” I say, my voice low, filled with the significance of this moment. “This is where everything started, after all.”
She raises an eyebrow, that familiar curiosity of hers making her even more irresistible. “Everything?”
I nod, letting my gaze drift over the room before settling back on her. “Everything. It’s where I realized how much I wanted you in my life. And now, I want you to be part of the decisions I make, part of this world I’m building.”
Her smile softens, and I can see the emotion in her eyes. She’s always been strong, always been independent, but seeing her here now, standing by my side, makes me realize just how far we’ve come. She’s not just my partner in life—she’s my partner in everything.
“What kind of decisions are we talking about?” she asks, her tone curious but serious. I can tell she’s ready for whatever comes next.
I move to the desk, picking up the folder I’ve prepared for her. It’s not just a business decision—it’s a symbol of the trust and respect I have for her, of my desire to make her an integral part of everything I do. I hand her the folder, watching her as she opens it and begins to read.