Page 84 of Everlasting Love

From the time we both arrived home, we worked together to secure everything outside to keep any damage to a minimum during the storm. Even Jas helped where she could, checking the bindings on the tomato plants were secure. We worked great as a team and it has me thinking that maybe it’s time to find a house instead of going back to my apartment. While I don’t mind the simplicity of apartment living, I know that for Jas and Vi to be truly happy, they’ll need a backyard with enough room to grow their beloved fruits and vegetables.

Violet hums her agreement, and the innocent sound vibrates through me like a cannon, waking up my cock and I tug her closer until there’s no space between us. To be fair, I don’t think my cock is ever not semi-hard when I’m near her. “I’m glad we moved the outdoor furniture and packed away our gardening tools.”

“Better to be safe than sorry. I checked with Toby and Cass and they’ve secured everything in their backyard too.”

“That’s good. I checked on Quinn and she’s done the same.” She looks up at me in the candlelight. “Mom called to check if we were ready for the storm. She also needed to tell me that she’s staying until the weekend.” She raises her brows. “I have a feeling she’s reconnected with the guy from high school in more ways than one.”

My lips tip up at the lightness and approval in Vi’s voice. “Good for her.”

“Yeah,” Vi breathes. “She deserves to be happy. She’s given so much of herself to me and Cass and our girls, it’s time she put herself and her happiness first.”

I lean down and kiss the top of her head, soaking up the fresh scent of her shampoo as a particularly strong wind batters the window. “You do the same with Jas. You put her first and give her everything you have, that’s why she’s such a great kid.”

She smiles up at me and it’s so damn breathtaking. “You really think so?”

“Absolutely.” I take the cup from her hand and place both of them on the table beneath the rattling window, then turn back to the woman who’s grown to become one of the most important people in my life. Sliding my hands up her arms until I reach her neck, I cup her face gently and tilt her head back until I can gaze into her vivid blue eyes. A flash of lightning illuminates her face for a mere second and my breath catches in my lungs at the desire I see. Lowering my head, she meets me partway, and our lips touch softly as thunder crashes in the night. A gentle press followed by another and another.

As I nip along the bottom pillow a soft moan escapes Vi and her hands come up to rest on my pecs. I could kiss this woman every day of my life and never tire of tasting her, hearing her moans, swallowing her sighs and whimpers. Feeling her beneath my touch, sharing tea with her before bed, reading bedtime stories to Jas, and everything else that comes with sharing their space. I tilt her head back and use my tongue to encourage her to open to me which she does beautifully. Slipping my tongue inside, I stroke and taste her and make love to her mouth. Weaving my fingers through her wet hair, I cup her head and tilt her to suit my needs as our tongues tangle and dance like we’ve been kissing for years, not weeks. My cock grows even harder, and I grind into her soft stomach as thunder rumbles overhead, rattling the glasses in the cabinet.

I only wish I had a body that was worthy of her touch because I crave her hands on me beyond anything I’ve ever wanted before. I tear my lips away from hers as a dose of cold water washes over me. How will I have a long-term committed relationship with this woman if I can’t expose myself to her fully? Touching my forehead to hers, disappointment douses my arousal, and I murmur, “I wish I could give you everything, Blue.”

Her eyes flick between mine, a furrow forming between them. “You do. I have never felt as safe, as accepted, or as valued as I do when I’m with you. What else is there?”

Her words give me pause. “Why are you prepared to accept less than you deserve?”

“You’re everything I deserve and more, Shane.” I open my mouth to interrupt but she presses her thumb over my lips and shakes her head a little. “You’re so kind and patient with Jas, more than her father ever was. You give her so much of your time and attention and she’s blossomed because of it. She clearly feels safe with you and adores you to the moon and back. Do you know how important those things are to me after the relationship I had with her father?” I understand what she’s saying but all of those things she mentioned are about Jas. “And I can see your mind ticking over. You’re the most giving and kind human being. Your morals and the standards to which you hold yourself surpass anyone I’ve ever met before. You make me feel cherished and important. Desirable and sexy.” She presses her palms against my chest firmly. “You see my worth and value me as well as my choices and the things that are important to me. I didn’t have that before and until I saw Toby with Cass and Poppy, I never believed it could happen in real life. I was so happy for Cass that she’d found a good man and then there was you. I knew you were a good man. A solid man. A man with a strong character. A man who would do anything for the people inhis life as well as those on the periphery.” She raises her brows. “Like me and Jas. How could I not fall for you? That would be asking the impossible. And sure, you come in a beautiful package”—I flinch internally as she strokes my cheek—“but it’s your kind heart and your beautiful soul that has me coming back time and again and wanting more with you.” She presses up on her toes and touches her lips to mine, then pulls away slightly to catch my eyes. “You’re a good man, Shane. One of the best.”

As much as I love that she thinks I’m a good man, I’m not. I’ve let people down in the worst ways possible. “There are so many things you don’t know about me. Things I’m not sure how to share.” I swallow thickly.

Her eyes soften and she cups my cheek. “I know enough and I can wait until you’re ready for the rest.”

I dip my head and touch my lips to hers with gratitude. I don’t know why I ever fought my attraction to her. I’ve wasted so much time. Our breaths combine and I close my eyes, absorbing the softness of her touch. The love and care she’s showing me. We lose ourselves in a kiss that feels like it’s repairing some of my broken pieces, smoothing out the roughened edges, and healing my wounds. Her kiss is like the balm I’ve needed to put myself back together.

The storm builds outside, matching the building emotions Vi’s words have unleashed in me. I want to be the best man for her and Jas, it’s what they deserve. Our tongues tangle and taste and the need to make love to her builds rapidly.

But I need to think.

About the future.

About showing her all of me.

About being brave.

I slow the kiss and finish with soft, sexy pecks to her lips. Dropping my forehead to hers, I exhale a long breath. “I need to take a shower.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “Be ready for mewhen I come out. I want you naked and spread out on your bed for me.” I tap her ass. “Don’t touch your pussy. It belongs to me. Understood?”

Her lips tip up on one side. “Understood.”

As I pullmy boxer briefs up my legs, the room lights up momentarily and an ear-splitting bang shakes the house, making the walls vibrate. A scream pierces the air, and I sprint toward Jasmine’s bedroom, my heart hammering against my ribs. Lightning flashes again—followed by another bang, not quite as loud as the last one—allowing me to see Jasmine sitting up in her bed. I scoop her into my arms and hold her tight to my body. In an instant, her little arms wrap around my neck and her legs around my torso. I stroke my hand down her tangled hair in a soothing motion as her heart beats rapidly against my chest. “It’s okay, Angel, it’s just the clouds bumping together. You’re safe.” Her body shivers, and I hear Vi’s footsteps as she steps into the room. The room is suddenly bathed in light, and I realize I forgot to turn Jasmine’s bedroom light off.

Vi gasps behind me and I tense, my stomach rolling and sinking like an anchor to the floor beneath my feet.

I close my eyes and inhale a long breath as I continue to make Jas feel safe again, trying to relax my muscles. Her body calms, the longer I stroke her back and I feel Vi move closer. I stiffen again—my secret on display. This will be it. The end of the line for us. She’ll finally realize what I’ve been telling her, that I’m broken beyond repair.

Her heat warms my back as she stands close and raises her arm to brush her daughter’s hair out of her face. Jas burrowsfurther into my neck with a hiccuping sob. “You’re okay, JJ. It’s just the storm. Shane and I are here with you.”

“It scared me,” she whimpers.

“It was a loud bang. You’re allowed to be scared but I promise you’re safe,” I reassure her.

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