Page 11 of Gone Away Home

With us on the same page and everything out in the open, I can’t seem to peel myself away from her. I want to soak up her warmth, love, and beauty. Really, can you even blame me?

She’s grown up so much, which I knew had to have happened, but it is still something I’m finding hard to wrap my head around. The more time we’ve spent around each other, the deeper I’ve fallen in love with her. While it’s true no one is perfect because we all have flaws, I’m certain she’s perfect for me.

I feel settled in a way I’ve never felt before now that I’m with her. The entire time we lived under the same roof in high school was a constant battle of control, resentment, and guilt. There was no way I had the emotional maturity to reconcile all my emotions.

Running felt like the only option and, maybe, it was.

Now that I have the grace of time, space, and experiences I wouldn’t have had if I had stuck around Jasper Ridge, I can see we needed the time apart. That’s not to say I didn’t pine for her and hold her close to my heart because I did. Even after the letters stopped. Even when the only updates I could get sometimes were from glimpses on social media and in offhanded comments from Dad when I would muster up the courage to call him.

It wasn’t nearly enough.

And now I’m starving for all of her time and attention. I won’t be apologizing for it either.

“Dustin,” Zayla’s voice is a mix of derision and amusement, “I really do need to get some work done today. I can’t have you hovering over me while I do it.”

I narrow my eyes at my woman while pouting slightly, “Are you going to be editing any sex scenes?”

She huffs out a laugh which makes her entire being light up and I soak it up. “Maybe,” she smiles shyly, the look in her eyes coy as fuck.

Trying to get myself under control while running my fingers through my hair is not easy. I desperately want to haul her over my shoulder and take her back to her room. Then I could strip her down to nothing and show her a sex scene that’ll leave her shaking, breathless, and begging for more.

“Don’t you dare,” she giggles as she points at me. “I know that look. You can not go all alpha male on me right now.”

“Fine,” I hold the word out, letting her know just how put off I am by her declaration. “I’ll let you work,” I grumble.

Fuck. The smile she gives me has my heart skipping a beat before pounding inside my chest. She’s gorgeous when she smiles.

I remember always being a sucker for her smiles, especially the time before our parents dropped their news on us. There were times when I would take certain routes in the school just to make sure I’d get the chance to see her while hoping for one of her smiles.

Once the families were blended, those smiles were few and far between. How did I not notice it before? How could I have been so blind to everything she was trying to hide? Yeah, I was a teenager with far too many hormones and my own hurt to contend with, but I also thought I was all alone in my feelings.

Now, it doesn’t matter because we’re here and there’s nothing that could make me walk away from her. People can fuck off if they have an issue with us being together. We’re going to build a life together and that’s all there is to it.

Internally I smirk because I’ve poked around her place and haven’t found any evidence of her being on birth control, at least not pills. It’s entirely possible we’re already working on our future family. Just the thought of her being pregnant with my baby has my cock thickening behind the fly of my jeans.

I don’t try to hide the bulge or the way I reach down to adjust myself. The peel of laughter coming from my woman has me stalking toward her slowly. Seeing her so carefree, so full of joy, satisfies me in a way I can’t even begin to describe.

When I reach her, I grip the arm rests of her chair and cage her in. Her brown eyes dance with mischief and I can’t help but kiss her. I don’t steal it from her since she gives it willingly. Iswipe my tongue past her lips, wanting her to remember and feel the press of our mouths long after I leave her to work in peace.

If I could tattoo myself across her, I would do it in a heartbeat. I’ll have to settle for imprinting myself as deeply in her soul as possible. It’ll be enough.

If anyone tries to get in the way of our future, I’ll fight. For her. For me. For us.

I was a coward, a kid who didn’t know any better, when I left. Now I know what I want and how important it is to grab life with both hands and not let go.

“Damn it,” I growl against her lips as I pull away, “now I’m hard as stone. You wouldn’t want to help me out with that, would you?”

When I wiggle my eyebrows, Zayla laughs and shakes her head. She might be saying no, but the way she’s biting her lip tells me she’s considering it. My head drops back on my shoulders after I stand up and will my dick to calm the fuck down.

I’ve already been buried inside of her as much as possible over the last few days. I’m capable of giving her a few hours to get some work done. I think. Maybe.

“I’m going to head out for a little while. If I stay here, I’m not going to leave you alone,” I admit and look at her to catch her eyeing the bulge in my jeans. “Not helping, sweetheart,” I grit out.

Her brown eyes turn nervous when she pulls her gaze away from my dick and looks up at me. “Where are you going?”

“I was thinking that even though I have money saved up, which we’ll be talking about using to get a bigger house,” I giveher a pointed look to tell her I’m serious and to not question it because I see the way her eyes go big and round, “I’m not good at sitting around and doing nothing. I was thinking about going over to the shooting range. It might have changed, but they were always looking for instructors. I’m qualified.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’re more than qualified,” Zayla mutters, her eyes turning hungry as she looks at me.

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