Page 88 of Deeply Examined

“I know. I understand you better now. About why you’re that way.” She blinks, her eyes suddenly filling with tears, which makes it twice as hard not to reach for her. I tuck my hands under my thighs to hold them in place, a last-ditch effort to keep control.

“I think I’ve been selfish,” she whispers as the first tear breaks free and slides down her porcelain cheek.

Fuck this.

I’m not going to sit here and let my girl cry.

I surge to my feet, closing the distance. My hands find her waist, drawing her against me, grounding her in my hold. “What are you talking about?” I tenderly wipe the tear away before it has a chance to hit the ground. “You’re the least selfish person I’ve ever met.”

“No.” She shudders as more tears fall. “I’ve been so busy thinking about whatIneed that I forgotyouhave needs too.”

I murmur soothing noises and stroke her hair, so soft and smooth. My lips brush her forehead. “I don’t need anything. Just you, Jess. All I want is you.”

“No, that’s not true. You need the same things I do. Trust, but also acceptance.”

“Acceptance?” I ask, confused because who could ever accept someone like me? Tolerate me, that’s the best I can hope for.

Jessica tilts her face to mine, searching for my understanding. Her hands raise and cup my face. “I see you, Adam.Allof you, and I accept you. Your flaws, your fears, your need for control.”

Her words strike deep, crumbling walls I’ve spent a lifetime building.

She pulls herself tall and with a note of challenge asks, “You want to track me?”

I nod. Swallow past the lump that’s grown in my throat.

Her chin lifts. She stands there, so brave. “Then go ahead. Track me. Follow me. The only thing you’ll see is me coming home to you. Every day. Every night. I’ll come back to you.”

For a moment, I think I must have heard her wrong. I wait for the catch. There has to be one. A second shoe, waiting to drop. But all I see is Jessica, steady and unflinching. That’s when it hits me. She’s not leaving. Not running away. Not abandoning me. She knows who I am, what I’ve done—and still she loves me. The breath leaves my lungs. I’ve spent my life being too much, too broken, too wrong. But this woman, this incredible woman, chooses me anyway.

My love. My pretty girl.

Her unconditional love—it brings me to my knees. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. No length I wouldn’t go to in order to keep her safe and happy.

I have no words, so I let my body do the talking. I kiss her, my mouth crashing into hers like a man starved. Hungrily, greedily, I drink down her gasps, her moans as she melts into me. Seeking the warmth of her flesh, my fingers slide under her shirt and slip up to her ribcage, then around her back where I flick her bra open with a single twist. I can’t get her naked quick enough, and Jessica is just as desperate. We’re clawing at each other, tripping over discarded pants and shoes. Until, finally, she stands dressed only in the glow of the flames.

So beautiful.

Gently, I lower her to the floor in front of the fireplace and cover her body with mine. I trail kisses down her slender neck to her breast. Her nipple stiffens as I run my tongue over it, flicking it and biting gently.

“Adam,” she breathes out, arching under me, and I don’t mind it, the sound of my name. I might even love it, as long as she’s the one saying it. “Need you, please.” She opens her legs for me, and I slide between them with reverence, like they’re the gateway to heaven.

She’s soaked with need, making it easy to push into her with one smooth thrust. I go deep as we both cry out in pleasure.

Her fingernails scrape down my back, run over each muscle, trace each contour, while she brings her lips to mine. I plunge my tongue into her along with my cock, and it’s fucking perfect. She’s perfect. With the next thrust, I grind my pelvis into her, let it stimulate her clit. She wraps her legs around my back, hooks her ankles together, and matches each of my movements with her own.

She’s warm and wet. We move faster, consumed with need for each other. When her moans reach a fever pitch, I reach between us and rub her hard. She comes like a freight train, loud and thunderous, screaming my name…my first name. Her pussy clenches down, pulses, draws me deeper. My balls tighten, and electricity zings along my spine down to the base. One last thrust as she whimpers her submission. I let go and pump into her. Hard and hot. Jessica’s coming again. Her second orgasm crests with mine, peaks into the sublime, and together we fall.

Later, when I’ve pulled a blanket over us and we lie together, with her head on my chest, I thread my fingers through her hair.

“You can still say cupcake, you know,” I whisper huskily. “I’m not going to stop pushing you, at least in the bedroom…or exam room, Ms. Jones.”

She chuckles, her breath warm on my chest. “I wouldn’t expect anything less,Dr. West.”

My breathing quickens.Fuck, I love it when she says my name like that.

“We’ll keep cupcake for Ms. Jones and Dr. West,” she murmurs. Then, softer, more hesitantly, “But no more cupcake for Adam and Jessica.”

My pulse slows. A thick, heavy beat. I wait for her to continue, sensing this is something important.

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