Page 173 of Through the Water

My heart was lodged somewhere in my throat as I watched her admire the ring, wondering if perhaps I should have gone with a flashy diamond instead.

“Killian,” she breathed, letting it catch the light. “It’s gorgeous. What kind of stone is this?”

“Sea glass. It reminded me of you.”

Ari held it against my face, her lips curving up. “It matches your eyes. Now, every time I look at it, I’ll be reminded of you.”

I wanted to tell her that I’d chosen it because of how we’d first met. Water represented life, and she’d not only saved mine but transformed it completely. The glass in her ring had been rolled and tumbled in the ocean for years, chaotically honed into something desirable. Something worthy.

Just like that boy she’d dragged from the lake.

My throat bobbed in a swallow. I couldn’t make the words come out.

But she knew.

“I’ve been in churches all over the world, but yours—” She placed her left hand over my heart, her chin wobbling. “Yours is my favorite.”

There was a peace in being seen, not for my talents, but for the man I strove to be. For her.

“Does this mean you’re home to stay?” I brushed her hair back with my fingers, feeling that familiar tug of hope.

“I’m with you, wherever that may be,” she whispered, repeating the same words I’d given her the night I let go.

She kissed me, and I savored every moment, every brush of her lips. This was the beginning of the rest of our lives. When our kisses turned frantic, Ari reached for my tie, loosening it before reaching for the buttons on my shirt.

I slid my hand up under her jersey, cupping and squeezing her breasts through the thin lace of her bra before casually asking, “Did you come earlier?”

“It wasn’t enough. I need more.” She curled her hands against my pecs and dropped a kiss to my sternum, slowly working her way up to my neck and jaw. “Please.”

“What do you need?” My fingers dipped under the lace, drawing her nipples out.

Her warm breath fell against my throat as she stroked my cock back to life. “I need you to touch me.”

I pulled Ari’s hand from my shaft, before sliding off the bed. “Relax. It’s my turn.”

She rested on her elbows, shamelessly watching as I slipped the tie over my head and let my shirt fall to the floor. My need to touch her soon trumped any desire to get undressed. I left the trousers and briefs hanging from my hips.

My hands moved between her thighs, spreading her like she’d done for me on the couch. I tugged her lace panties to the side and stroked, only to stop at the feel of bare skin.

“Baby, where’s your hair?”

Ari smirked. “I think it all went to your face.”

“Yeah?” I tugged the panties down and tossed them aside, before playfully nipping the inside of her thigh with my teeth. “Let me see if I can put it back.”

I curved two fingers inside her body while using the flat of my tongue to lap at her clit. She gasped and arched her back, forcing my fingers deeper. I took my time sucking and stretching her body, getting high off of every whimper, every groan.

“Killian—wait!” She babbled to the ceiling. “Please.”

“What is it, slugger?” I asked, using the pad of my thumb while my fingers stroked her inner walls. “Like this?”

Ari’s hips pushed forward in confirmation, using me to get where she needed. With a shattered cry, her body clenched around my fingers before she went completely limp.

“Babe,” she panted, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “You can never shave that beard.”

I grinned and stripped from the waist down, stopping to help Ari remove her jersey when she didn’t move. With a giggle, she raised up just enough to unclasp her bra, exposing nipples that were already hardened into points.

“Do you want me inside you, baby?” I asked, fisting my cock with fingers drenched in her release.

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