Page 32 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

Twenty minutes later, we are out the door, walking along the beach side by side. The breeze once again is our cocoon. We talk more about everything; I realize I like laughing with her.

We return to the hotel to eat and relax together. I call my dad to check on him, and she calls Osei, who makes sure to call me and remind me to be nice. We order dinner in and watch a movie together. She falls asleep. I didn’t have the heart to move her because she looks so peaceful and beautiful. She has me enchanted. I could talk to her all day, every day, and never get bored. Her mind and laugh are amazing. I can also sense she has a stubborn side, which is bound to drive me crazy—just as it’s also a bloody turn-on at the same time.

I kiss her forehead, cover her up, and head to the bedroom, leaving the door open. It’s late; I should go to sleep, but I’m wide awake. I decided to work.

I’ve just changed into my lounge pants when I hear her screaming and shouting in a language I don’t understand. When I get close, I wake her up. She fights me as I try to keep her still.

“It’s Luke, Dele.” She fights. “Open your eyes, Dele,” I repeat multiple times. She finally opens her eyes and sees me. She immediately collapses into my arms, pulling her body close to mine. I hold her tight to comfort her.

“You were having a nightmare.”

“Please … Don’t leave me… please… please.” Her voice shakes as she cries and clings to me for dear life. Without thinking, I lift her up and carry her to the bedroom. She doesn’t let go. If anything, she holds on tighter to me, crying softly.

I place her on the bed and get in next to her to hold her. She doesn’t flinch when I pull her close to me. Her body molds right into mine. I hold her tight until she falls asleep.

What demon is chasing her? I need to catch up and destroy her demons.

Chapter 21

DELE

When I wake up, I feel Luke’s hands and legs intertwined with mine. His breathing is soft. I hope I didn’t squeeze the life out of him with how tightly I clung to him. I slowly detangle from his arms and legs; I feel an emptiness and miss his closeness. I race to the bathroom to pee, brush my teeth, and wash my face. I should go to the living room, but I feel a need to be in his arms, so I return to lie next to him and wrap his arms around me again. It only takes a minute for me to realize he’s awake but feigning sleep. Summoning the courage of Amaka, I decide to speak up.

“I know you are awake. I know you come into my room every night, though you lock the door to make me think you don’t come in. I also know you’re the guy I kissed on the balcony facing Lake Michigan. What I don’t know is why you agreed to marry me when you wouldn’t shake my hand and Osei tells me you don’t like me.” My words are succinct. He stirs and wraps his hand around me tighter, his face buried in my neck.

“Rule number one: don’t ever mention my brother or any man’s name when in bed with me,” he growls in my ear, then nuzzles me. “After you ran away from the balcony, I followed and ran into Derek, who told me you were my brother’s girl.”

“What?! That’s not true,” I quickly interrupt.

“I know that now. Before now, I kept quiet. It didn’t help that when he introduced us, he called you his favorite girl.” With a chuckle, I turn to him, our breaths mingling in the space between us, a silent, intimate connection. I'm loving this closeness, the feel of his heart beating next to mine.

“He uses that line, ‘favorite girl,’ to stop his friends, especially Derek, from asking me out or getting handsy.”

“I couldn’t touch you. It was better you thought the worst of me than let Osei know I wanted his girl.”

“You want me?” I ask, surprised. His voice sounds genuine. His hands are making tender movements on my body.

“Yes, I’ve wanted you since that evening on the balcony.” I should be happy and jumping, but I need to remember the reason he picked me is because I wouldn’t fall for him. As Amaka said,“have fun and don’t fall.”I can have sex with an experienced guy and not fall for him.Right? At least I’m already attracted to him. This should be easy, right?

“I want you too, but I have a request.” There’s no point in pretending we both can’t feel the attraction. I can feel his dick poking me already, and boy, do I want to find out how to climb this mountain.You go, girl!

“What is your request?” Call me crazy, but there’s desire in his voice.

“Be gentle with me.” My voice is barely a whisper. His mouth is on me fast, devouring every inch of my mouth. His hands are caressing my body. He pulls down my shorts. His finger finds its way inside me, moving in ways I didn’t know a finger could. I let out a moan. Oh, my God. He’s an expert; his finger and mouthdrive me wild. His other hand squeezes my breast, and a new set of sensations flows through me. I help him toss my T-shirt and bra aside. My body is on fire—only he can quench it. His lips take a nipple in his mouth, sucking and licking the life out of it. I’m soaking wet. His lips shift from nipple to nipple before dipping down my body, kissing down to my navel. My body twists in ways that could only have been generated by his kisses.

“Please,” I cry out in need.

Then I feel the warmth of his tongue on my lower lips and cry out in pleasure, squeezing the pillow tight. I try to control my heart rate, but I can’t because Luke’s tongue is driving me crazy. My legs start to shake on their own, my toes curl, and my walls tighten as I barrel through the overwhelming sensations, letting out a scream. Luke raises his head and smiles at me.

I cover my face in embarrassment. I can’t believe what just happened. He gently pulls my hand away from my face. “I want to see you,” he says, his voice a deep caress filled with desire. I open my eyes and watch as he licks his fingers, having dipped them in my wetness. My mouth drops open in shock. He returns a cheeky smile.

He pulls his pants down, and all of him is now staring at me. “I can’t promise to be gentle. I’ve waited almost nine months for this moment, so I will try. Do you understand?” I nod.

He crawls on top of me, keeping his eyes locked with mine, his legs spreading mine wider. I keep my gaze fixed on his hazel eyes, which seem to drill into my soul. I feel him at my entrance, and he rubs gently as he makes his way into my wetness. I let out a moan, spreading my legs wider so I can take him fully. He fills me to the hilt.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yes,” I murmur.

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