Page 21 of Justice

"Do you know how beautiful you are?" he says gently, and I turn over to look at him.

The butterflies in my stomach swarm through me, his hand rubbing tiny circles on my stomach.

"I can't wait for the day when we can feel her kicking in my stomach." I place my hand over his. Christopher's hand moves to my waist, pulling me closer. Our bodies fit together perfectly.

"Me neither, sweet girl."

I want him to touch me, to feel me and show me how I'm his. He is making sure that I'm okay, but I don't think I will be if he doesn't touch me. The urge to take his hand and place it between my legs is overwhelming.

I lick my lips, my eyes fluttering from his lips to his eyes. "Fuck, it's so hard to keep from touching you the way I want." He sighs loudly, letting his head fall into the crook of my neck.

My arms wrap around Christopher, pulling him close. He's careful not to put his weight on my stomach, his body hovering just above mine.

I open my mouth to speak, then hesitate. My heart races, pounding so hard. Taking a deep breath, I finally gather the courage to ask, my voice barely above a whisper, "Why do you hold back?"

He shifts, propping himself up on one elbow. His free hand moves to my face, fingers gently brushing my hair back from my forehead.

He smooths my hair out of my face and onto the pillow by my head. “Do you not want me to hold back?” he asks me.

This is a huge step and I know without a doubt what I want. I want to take the next step. He’s been so patient with me, not once pressuring me.

“No, I don’t.”

He doesn't waste a second before kissing me fully, deeply. This kiss is one that changes everything.

He's making love to my mouth, his hand gripping my hip tightly, drifting down to my thigh. I'm terrified out of my mind, and it's not because of him but of the way he makes me feel.

My lips chase his, fighting to keep up. When he pulls away, I gasp, trying to catch my breath, my nails biting into his shoulders and back.

“Is this what you truly want?” he asks me as he watches me carefully to make sure. “It would kill me if you felt like you had to do this and not because you want to.”

That’s why I want to be with him, why I love who he is.

"Christopher, I have cared for you for as long as I can remember. You've always been my protector." I run my fingers along his hard jaw, loving the slight stubble there.

I know from the way he is looking at me that he cares for me. I remember how on the playground in grade school he would protect me.

His intense gaze holds mine, and I can see the depth of his devotion reflected in his eyes. "I would fucking kill for you, Elle," he says, his voice low and husky. "The things I'd do to keep you safe and happy… they might scare you if you knew."

"Nothing about you could ever terrify me, Christopher," I whisper, meaning every word.

A slow smile spreads across his face, lighting up his eyes. He leans in, his lips brushing against my ear as he speaks. "I want you too, angel. But this isn't about me. This is all about you." His hand slides down my side, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. "I want to make you feel good, to take care of you. And when you're ready for me to take you completely, I will."

His words wash over me like a warm wave, soothing an anxiety I didn't even realize I was carrying.

Sex is something I crave, but there's a part of me that's hesitant, almost like my body remembers a trauma my mind has forgotten. I may not recall what happened to me, but somewhere deep inside, I know something did.

Can I touch you?" he asks me, and I feel like I can't breathe. I don't tell him no because I do want to take this step, even if it scares me.

"Yes." I give him the word.

Christopher

She is so fucking beautiful.

Her dark brown eyes gaze up at me, filled with such trust it makes my chest ache. I don't deserve it. No one does. This angel is too pure for this world.

But fuck, from the moment I could walk, I knew she was meant to be mine. Call me selfish, but no one else could ever love her like I do. No one else could protect her the way I can.

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