Page 100 of Pretty Heartache

My orgasm crashes into me, and I cry out, the feeling vibrating across my entire body. Watching myself orgasm in the mirror gives me a feeling I have yet to experience. I catch Micah’s fiery gaze in the reflection.

I’m still working to catch my breath, riding out my orgasm on Micah’s fingers, when he pulls them from between my legs and spins me around to wrap his hands around the back of my thighs and lift me up. My legs curl around his waist, and he carries me over to his bed.

I feel as if my life has come full circle when his knees hit the bed and he falls back. I land on top of him, looking down at his face. My wet pussy is pressed against his crisp button-down shirt.

I know today is a big day for him, but I don’t know when he’s supposed to be at work or if he’s going to be late. All I care about right now is that he’s here with me, showing me there is beauty in the pain. That this life may not be perfect, but none of it matters. All that does matter is that I’m happy and whole.

I slip the tie out from under his collar and drape it around my own neck. The silky fabric ghosts along my breasts, perking my nipples back up.

My body is still humming from my orgasm, but the need to have Micah inside me is still strong. I unbuckle his belt and unzip his pants before effortlessly slipping his hardened cock inside me, and once I’ve lowered myself all the way down, I stop to allow my body to adjust to him. Our eyes meet, and my heart explodes, the heat in my stomach expanding.

Lifting myself up, I lower myself back down; his eyes watch me in fascination. I’ve never felt more beautiful.More seen.

My entire body ignites feeling his length slide against my insides. I clench around him, reaching my orgasm faster thanexpected. He does the same, gripping onto my thighs and matching me thrust for thrust. He never once breaks eye contact, and that’s when it hits me.

Just as much as Micah has saved me, I’ve saved him. The love pouring out of him nearly takes my breath away.

He tenses as his cum spills inside me, and even after we’ve both caught our breath, I stay on top of him and lean forward, hovering my mouth over his.

“I love you, Micah Harding.” I press my lips to his, knowing I’ll never be able to say it enough.

You can’t quantify a love like ours. One that’s withstood secrets and truths, pain and tragedy.

“I love you,” I repeat. “Now and forevermore.”

EPILOGUE

Adeline

Four years later

“Okay, one last final touch, and we’ll be ready.”

Ember sweeps her makeup brush across my cheek once more, adding another layer of powder. She stuffs her brush back into her apron and pulls out a small, black bottle. She holds her index finger over the top and points it in front of my face.

“Close your eyes and mouth.”

I do as she says, trying my best to stay still as she spritzes a layer of setting spray across my face.

“You can open now.” She sighs.

When I crack open my eyes, she’s fanning my face with her hands.

“Perfect.” She drops the bottle on the vanity and plants her hands on her hips, studying her work. A slow grin grows on her face. “You look absolutely beautiful.”

Ember steps aside and allows me to see my reflection. “You did an incredible job,” I tell her, turning my face to the side to run my fingers gently over my scar, amazed with how she’s able to apply the makeup without completely hiding it.

It took another six months after Micah first stood me in front of the mirror for me to consider stepping in front of a camera again.

I spent the first few months considering switching careers, maybe even diving into horticulture, but I couldn’t deny the power that came with the idea of going back to work as a model. Deep in my soul, I couldn’t let Maddox win. Even if he would never know, I couldn’t spend my life giving him the satisfaction of getting what he wanted. I took back control of my life and was unafraid.

Ember’s strawberry blonde hair shimmers in front of the vanity lights. Her white teeth are revealed behind her wide grin.

Large, round bulbs frame the mirror in front of me, making me feel like an old Hollywood starlet. Subtle, gold, shimmery eyeshadow frames my eyelids. My hair is curled and pinned like an actress from the nineteen-forties.

“I love this cosmetic brand.” Ember holds up the gold tube of lipstick, reading the label on the bottom.

“I do, too,” I agree, smacking my lips. “You did an incredible job making everything fit.”

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