Authors: M. Dauphin

Just Go (24 page)

“Absolutely, my Sweet.” He kisses me and pinches my ass before walking me to the table.

Dinner is absolutely amazing. I’m not sure why he hid from me that he can cook, but someone taught him right. The spaghetti was perfect, and he swears he made the sauce himself, which from what I see is the truth since I find no empty jars in the trash when I look.

We spend the entire time eating and catching up. He tells me about Benton and Hannah, and how much Thor loves to play with her. I have to tell him all about what happened with my dad, too, which is a subject I’d rather never have to approach, but he’s opening up so it’s only fair I do too. To say he’s pissed is an understatement, but he’s promised not to do anything too drastic. I did tell him that I’ve cut ties with my father, though, and he smiles sadly and nods.

“I’m so sorry, Annaliese,” he says reaching across the table to take my hand in his.

“I’m not. He’s not worth it.” I shrug and grin, then change the subject before he notices the sadness in my eyes about it all. “This food is terrific. I’ve never tasted a sauce like this before,” I say shoving more pasta in my mouth and grinning.

He chuckles and sighs. “Jesus, I've missed you.”

“Missed you too,” I say smiling. I can’t stop smiling tonight. “Thanks for getting your head out of your ass.”

“You have Benton to thank for that. God, I’ve been so fucking dumb,” he says and then sighs and smiles. “Never again. I promise,” he whispers. I can’t really believe this is all happening.

The rest of dinner is spent like this, in a light discussion and playful banter. He helps me clean up afterwards and even puts the dishes in the dishwasher. I stand in the doorway, watching him and wonder to myself how I got so lucky. This beautiful man, white crisp button down shirt, slacks, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, is mine.

All I have to do is take another chance on him.

“Hey,” he whispers coming over to me and lifting my chin so I can meet his gaze. “Everything okay?” he asks worriedly.

“Everything’s just perfect,” I whisper, then reach up on my toes to kiss him gently. When I pull back, I see the look in his beautiful eyes and grin. “Come on.”

I take his hand and walk past the living room and down the hall towards my bedroom. Opening the door, I go in and drop his hand. Turning to face him, I walk backwards into my room until my legs hit the end of my bed. I grin, and start moving the straps of my dress down my shoulders. He growls and moves towards me.

“You’re so beautiful, my Sweet.” His hands stop mine from their dance along the top of my dress. “Let me. Please,” he begs. I drop my hands to my side and sigh as his lips gently caress my collarbone.

He finishes what I started, gently pushing my dress down so I’m standing in front of him in a dark blue and black lace set that I had no choice but to wear when I realized I had no clean laundry this morning. He growls his appreciation and drops to his knees in front of me, kissing his way down my body. His hands play at the edge of my panties and I feel the goose bumps rise from his gentle touch. His hands gently help lift each leg from the dress pooled around my feet, then he tosses it aside.

“Lie down, Annaliese,” he whispers after standing up to meet my gaze.

I do as I’m told, never breaking our connection, and my hands start playing at the buttons on his shirt as he hovers over me. Once they’re undone, I take my time grazing over each muscle, each bulge. Slowly I slip the shirt off him when he sits up, then I show it the same amount of care he showed my dress and grin.

“You’re still losing in the clothes department,” I whisper, starting to work his pants off of him.

He grins and obliges, quickly standing to pull his pants off, then he’s back over me, strong, muscular arms bracing his weight around me. His eyes lock with mine and I feel like I can see into his soul. Our connection is so intense, I’m not sure I could look away right now if I tried.

He kisses me, then trails his lips down to my neck, then my collarbone, and then lower. Making sure to show every part of my body the affection it’s been missing these last three months.

“It’s been so long, Adam,” I gasp when he pulls the fabric of my bra down to kiss my bare breast.

“Jesus, even better than I remember,” he growls as he releases my other breast, the fabric of my bra pushing them up for him. His hands cup them, gently playing with my nipples, and when his teeth come around one I gasp and buck up towards him, feeling the wetness between my legs start to pool.

“God, I’ve missed you,” his voice comes out as a whisper as his lips work their way lower. His fingers gently tug at the top of my panties and I lift slightly to allow him to remove them, thanking the heavens I like to keep things neat down there even if it’s not seeing any action. “Shit,” he whispers.

His fingers graze along my wet slit, then slowly push in with ease. He moans as he plays with my clit, his lips kissing so close. I want more than this. I need him. All of him.

“Please, Adam,” I gasp when his lips go around my swollen clit and suck gently.

“Yes?” He smiles as his fingers play me.

“I need you, Adam. All of you,” I pant.

He slowly removes his fingers and licks them, his eyes never loosing contact with mine. Holy crap! I forgot how hot that is.

“Condom.” He starts to move off the bed, but I stop him and shake my head.

“All of you. Nothing between us,” I smile and bite my lip, praying he’s okay with it. “I don’t want anything between us anymore. Ever.”

“God… are you sure? I mean… shit yeah. I haven’t been with anyone since you, Annaliese. But… Jesus, I love you,” he says, then kisses me as he slides into me.

My arms wrap around his neck and he moves his lips to my neck as I push up to take him all the way. God, he fills me perfectly, and without any barrier I can feel him so much better than ever before.

“You’re so tight, Sweet,” he growls into my neck, then bites down hard enough to leave a mark as he slowly pulls out.

“There hasn’t been anyone since you, Adam,” I whimper as he pulls all the way out, just to quickly reenter me and start the slow torture to fill me again.

I can feel the electricity building, my entire body in tune with his. I feel every movement, every hard ridge, everything. He continues his slow movements, making love to me like never before. There’s not anything in the world that compares to this, and when he pulls his head up and locks his eyes with mine, I know he means it.

“I love you so much, Annaliese,” he whispers as he pushes back in, never taking his eyes off mine. “So much,” he grunts and leans in to kiss me.

I start to feel my release building at the same time I can feel him hardening, and his movements becoming less rhythmic. He curses under his breath and speeds up his movements, hitting every part of me perfectly.

“Oh God, Adam,” I gasp when I feel the start of the orgasm starting to rip through me. His lips crush into mine as I feel him grunt and release into me, the grinding on my clit the perfect amount of pressure. “Shit!” I clutch to him, my nails digging into his back as he rides his release out and my orgasm explodes around him.

“My God,” he pants as he rests his head on my forehead, still trying to find his breath.

I have no words to what we just experienced. It was nothing like anything before.

It was true love making.

“I love you, Adam,” I gasp, not able to let go of him.

“I love you, Annaliese. Forever,” he whispers then kisses me.

We forget about everything else that night but each other, making up for three lost months without each other. He remembers every part of my body, and explores parts he hasn’t yet been able to. Falling asleep in his arms is the best feeling ever. It’s hard not to be mad at myself for being so stubborn three months ago while I lay in his arms, finally able to relax for the first time in months.

This is exactly what I need.

He is exactly what I need.

Epilogue

Four months later

“Gabby, which dress?” I ask holding three dresses up in front of her.

I’m back in Chicago for Spring Break and can’t wait to see Adam. The last four months I’ve been able to see him more than expected, but it’s still been a week since we’ve been together and I’m itching to see him again. Tonight he has dinner planned for us at some fancy restaurant that only he’d be able to get reservations at and I can’t decide which dress to wear.

Gabby sighs and smiles from the couch, “You know he’s going to love all of those. Especially when he rips it off of you.” She laughs and smiles, “So wear the one you’re least fond of.”

“Funny. Don’t be jealous,” I warn as I choose the light blue one and nude heels.

“I’m not jealous at all, actually. I have my own fun,” she says, not making eye contact with me as she picks at her nails.

I worry about her being alone. She puts on a tough act like she doesn’t have a care in the world, but I can see past the façade. I wish she’d find someone. Man or woman, I don’t care, but she needs someone.

“What time’s he picking you up?” she asks.

“In about a half hour. Wanna help with my hair?” I grin, knowing she can’t turn down making me look girly for a night.

By the time the knock comes on the door, I smile and she laughs.

“You’re hopeless, Annie. I’m so happy for you,” she says then hugs me and heads back to her room.

I open the door and see him waiting, relaxed, hands in his pocket. When his eyes rake over my body, I get chills and immediately feel the warmth between my legs. It’s been a week since I last saw him and enjoyed him in St. Louis, but it feels like forever when he looks at me like that.

“You look beautiful,” he says, then takes my face in his hands and kisses me gently. “Missed you,” he whispers, his lips still on mine.

“Mmm,” I manage. As much as I want to pull him inside the apartment, Gabby’s new one bedroom apartment doesn’t leave much privacy and I’m not sure she’d appreciate that.

“Come on. We have reservations, and if we keep this up, I’m going to devour you right here in the hallway,” he growls, then walks me outside as we start down the sidewalk.

I feel every tickle of the wind, every ray of the sunshine while walking down the sidewalk hand in hand with Adam. My senses are finally alive again, because I’ve opened up my heart to the man I love. Being with him makes every part of me more alert. We approach the white limo and smile.

“New driving service, huh?”

He nods sadly, giving me a look like he knows how I feel about his relationship with my father. I’ve gotten over it through the months, but I still don’t like to be reminded of their past. He also knows it’s been months since I’ve spoken to my father, which hurts so much I can’t think about it without tearing up. He was my world, until it all came crashing down.

“No reason to keep up with a cheating, lying business.”

“That’s the truth.” I take his hand when we’re in the backseat and we spend the short drive to the restaurant in comfortable silence.

When the car stops in front of a sky rise apartment building I look over at Adam confused. He’s grinning at me, and when the door opens, he slides out and holds his hand out for me without a word. I take it, feeling my heartbeat quicken.

“What’s going on, Adam?” I ask as we walk into the building and head towards the elevators.

“Just wait, my Sweet,” he says. I can feel the nerves running through him, and as a result my nerves skyrocket.

What’s he got up his sleeve?

We ride the elevator to the top floor, and when the doors open, I gasp at the sight.

Pink and red rose petals decorate a path out of the elevator and on to a rooftop veranda. Gabby is leaning against the banister, a smile pasted on her face and a drink in hand. My mother stands next to her, talking with another older woman who I assume is Adam’s mother due to their striking resemblance. Benton’s in the corner of the patio, alone, and when he realizes we’ve arrived his eyes flick from Gabby’s area, to us, then back to her. Adam’s sister is here, talking to Gabby while Adam’s father is sitting at a bar to the left.

“What is this?” I whisper as he slowly takes my hand and guides me to the outdoor patio, fully adorned with candles and rose petals everywhere. A table sits in the middle of the patio, fully set and covered trays with what I’m assuming is our dinner awaits us. He lets me walk ahead and look out from the edge, overlooking the beautiful city that I love. I turn to speak and gasp when I see him down on one knee.

Oh. My. God.

“Adam,” I whisper, my hand goes to my mouth, unable to form any words through the threatening tears.

“Annaliese Ryder, I love you. More than anything. You’ve taken so many chances on me, most of which I didn’t deserve, but you did it anyway. We’ve been through more than most couples ever go through, and I’m so proud of you. For everything. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever had the chance of knowing.” He stands and walks over to me, a small black velvet box in hand. The tears that have formed in my eyes are now spilling down my cheeks. “You’ve taken chances on me, and I’m eternally grateful for that. I’m asking you now to take one final chance on me.” He pauses and opens the box to reveal a gorgeous rose gold diamond ring twinkling from the patio lights above making it shine brightly. “Annaliese Ryder, will you grace me with your love and laughter for the rest of your life? Give me all of your morning hugs and goodnight kisses, my Sweet,” he pauses, “Marry me, Annaliese. Make me the happiest man in Chicago. The happiest damn man in the world.”

“Oh my God, Adam,” I gasp reaching out with shaky hands for him. I take his face and kiss him. Like I can never get enough, because I can’t. “You’re… this….” I’m speechless.

“So….” He grins and I realize I haven’t given him an answer.

“Yes!! Oh my God, Yes!” I yell, and he releases his breath and smiles.

“You had me scared there for a minute.” He laughs then pulls the ring from the box.

Sliding it on, it fits perfectly and I giggle, watching it sparkle in the lights.

“It’s perfect, Adam,” I whisper, then wrap my arms around him, kissing him again.

“I love you, Annaliese. I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how much,” he whispers and hugs me tightly.

We make our rounds, accepting the congratulatory hugs and smiles. The ring is huge, nothing short of perfect from
Mr. Chicago
. I’ve come to accept the fact that women will never stop throwing themselves at his feet, but I trust him. I know he’s only got eyes for me.

“Soo… were you surprised?” Gabby asks as I take a champagne flute off a waiter’s tray.

“Absolutely. I mean, we’ve talked about it. I know I’ll be moving back up here at the end of the school year, but this…. This is perfect,” I smile holding back tears that my father isn’t here for me. “He got everyone important together for me.”

“Speaking of important people,” Adam clears his throat as he walks up to Gabby and I. “This man right here is one of the key factors on this whole ordeal.” He slaps Benton’s back and smiles.

“Benton James. Nice to meet you again, Gabby,” he looks past me and straight to Gabby. I turn to look at her, confused, but the crimson tint to her cheeks tells me everything I need to know. I leave the two of them, taking Adam’s hand in mine, giving those two a little time to themselves.

We stop at the banister overlooking the city, and I take a deep breath. This city is mine, I just needed to take it.

“Thank you for taking a chance on me.”

“You mean multiple chances?” I grin and he laughs.

“Yes… multiple chances.”

Sometimes, all you need to do is take a chance. Or three.

THE END