Page 81 of If You Give a Billionaire a Bride

When I get to her, I kneel down and slide my hand under her lower back, encouraging her to lift her hips upward, and put my other hand on her stomach to keep her steady. Her posture was already perfect, but I couldn’t resist the urge to touch her.

She watches me closely as I lean down to kiss her exposed belly. I trace my tongue across her navel, drawing out a soft moan which goes straight to my dick.

She lowers her back slightly, and I apply pressure to keep her in place.

“Maybe working out together wasn’t such a good idea,” Everly whispers as I press a kiss to her hip.

“It’s the best idea,” I say. “But I should let you finish because you’re mine for the rest of the day.”

“I’ll have to check my schedule,” she says, taunting me.

“In the meantime, be a good wife and finish your yoga flow,” I order playfully, planting a kiss on her other hip.

She gives me a pout when I move my hands away, forcing her to hold her bridge pose on her own. After grabbing a water bottle from the nearby mini fridge, I sit against the closest wall.

Everly tilts her chin up to look at me. “Are you going to watch me the whole time?”

“Absolutely.” I grin as I take a swig of water.

Once Everly is finished with her yoga sequence, she comes to sit next to me against the wall.

I take my hat off and sweep my hair away from my face.

Everly nibbles on her lower lip before she says, “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” I answer, taking her hand in mine and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Is there a reason you keep your hair longer?” She tenderly cups my cheek, caressing my scar with her fingertips. “I like it, but I remember you wore it short in high school, and I was just curious.”

I nod slowly, considering my response. “Growing my hair out didn’t start on purpose. I didn’t get it cut for a while and discovered it drew attention away from my scar. It became a protective shield against unwanted stares and questions from people who were quick to judge me based on my appearance.”

Similar to Everly, I’ve masked my true identity, afraid of getting hurt and not wanting to burden anyone with my insecurities.

A part of me believed being different was a negative, that I was flawed, and I constantly compared myself to those around me. I overlooked the reality that everyone faces internal conflicts, each trying to overcome their own challenges. I’m starting to realize that standing out because of my differences isn’t a bad thing.

“Oh, Cash,” Everly utters, leaning her forehead against mine. “I’m sorry you felt like you had to hide who you are. Your scar is an important part of your story.”

“Thank you,” I murmur. “From day one, you treated me like I was stillStafford, the captain of the lacrosse team and the guy who could make you laugh.” I tip her chin up so I’m met with her warm brown gaze. “Since our paths crossed in that bar in Vegas, you’ve continued to remind me that it doesn’t have to define who I am.” Everly rests her head against my shoulder.

Even around my family, I’ve sometimes hidden my insecurities or true feelings about my scar. Everly is the onlyone I feel like I can truly be myself around. Like I’ve become her confidant, she’s becoming my safe haven. She once asked me if I believed in soulmates, and I said I wasn’t sure. Now, I’m beginning to think they might exist after all.

“Cash Stafford, you are sexy as hell. Scar and all,” she murmurs as she straddles my hips. “And I’ll say it as often as I have to until you believe it.”

“In that case, I’ll never believe, so you’ll have to stay here forever.”

Everly leans in to kiss the puckered skin of my scar, her lips tracing the uneven ridges and the distorted edge of my mouth. My pulse races as she grinds against me, and I capture her mouth in mine, grinning when she moans. All these endorphins have me in a cloud of euphoria, and the smoldering desire I’ve tamped down bursts to life, igniting like a fuse.

She tangles her fingers in my hair, holding on tight to keep me close. In response, I grip her hips in a firm hold, pressing my thumbs into the supple flesh of her thighs, secretly hoping there are faint bruises tomorrow as reminders that this is real… that she’s real.

Everly slips her skilled tongue inside my mouth, leaving me breathless. Our electric chemistry is all-consuming and I’m prepared to rip her clothes off when she tugs on my hair, triggering a thought to cross my mind that I can’t ignore.

“Hey, Ev?” I say it like a question as I pull away from her pouty lips.

“Yeah?” She blinks up at me.

“I want you to cut my hair.”

She gives me a puzzled look. “Cash, I didn’t ask about it because I thought you should cut it. I’m sorry I gave you that impression.”

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