Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35

MARIGOLD

A s we climbed the stairs to my apartment, I felt a surge of relief. Tonight had been a success, more than I could have hoped for. From Kathy's incredible food spread to the warmth and welcome from everyone in Zayn's family, it was unlike anything I'd experienced before. They included me in all their playful banter and encouraged me to be open and comfortable around them.

I fumbled slightly as I unlocked the door, stealing a glance at Zayn. He stood there effortlessly handsome. His eyes held a patient tenderness that made my heart flutter.

I managed to get the door open. Before I invited him in, I felt like I needed to prepare him. "I'm not rich," I blurted out.

He chuckled. "Oh, well, than never mind."

I shook my head. "My apartment is just slightly bigger than a shoebox."

"It's fine."

I sighed. "I just wanted to warn you."

"I'm officially warned. Can we please go inside?"

With a small nod, I pushed the door open and led him into my small yet cozy apartment. Zayn's gaze swept over the tiny living area and the modest kitchen, then landed on me with a smile.

"It's perfect," he said. "You had nothing to be nervous about."

I could tell he wasn't just saying things to make me feel better about my less than impressive living conditions. He genuinely meant it. It made me like him even more.

Zayn made himself comfortable on the worn-out couch while I fetched us some drinks. I returned, two glasses of red wine in my hands, to find Zayn observing the framed photos I had on the wall. He smiled at my younger self with two front teeth missing, me graduating high school, and my parents holding me as a baby.

"Your family?" he asked, pointing to a simple black and white picture of two elderly individuals standing in front of a rustic cabin.

"Yes," I replied, handing him his wine before settling down next to him on the couch. "That's my Nana and Papa. They passed when I was just a kid."

He nodded and leaned back, sipping his wine. I reached down and took off my heels. I had managed to keep from twisting my ankle, but now, my feet were killing me.

Zayn patted his lap. "Up here."

"Excuse me?"

"Give me your feet. I'll rub them."

I felt my cheeks burning. "No, no. I'm fine. They probably stink."

"Just give me your feet," he said.

I turned and put my feet in his lap. He leaned forward and put his glass of wine on the old coffee table that was older than I was and began to rub.

His hands were firm yet gentle, kneading away the ache in a soothing rhythm. The room was lit with a single lamp that I had found on the street in a trash heap. The only sounds were our quiet breaths and the faint hum of the refrigerator that added to the comforting ambiance of my small apartment.

His hands were magic. "That feels so good," I moaned.

He looked at me. I saw the look. It was full of heat and desire. "Show me your room," he said.

I knew exactly what he was asking for. I put my glass down and led him the few steps to my bedroom that was just big enough for my queen-sized bed and a dresser. The closet was a joke, but at least I could hang up a few things. He flipped the light on and looked around. Again, I was a little embarrassed by my very humble living situation that couldn't be more different than the house we just left.

"Turn around," he ordered.

I did as he asked. He pushed my hair out of the way and slowly slid the zipper down on my dress. My heart hammered in my chest as his fingers grazed the bare skin of my back, sending shivers down my spine. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss on my shoulder, making me close my eyes at the delicious sensation. His hands moved to the front, teasingly slow, pushing the fabric off my shoulders and letting it pool at my feet.

I turned around to face him, just in time to catch a glimpse of raw admiration etched on his handsome face before he swiftly covered the distance between us. The kiss was molten, fiery, and potent. His arms held me tight against him as if trying to merge me into him.

And then he pulled back. I stepped out of the gown and carefully draped it over my dresser.

"On the bed," he said, his voice soft.

I was used to his dominating ways. I liked it, but tonight, he seemed to be moving a little slower. Like he wanted to savor every moment.

I was totally on board for it.

I lay down on the bed and looked up at him, waiting for what came next. He shrugged out of his jacket and slowly took off the suit, one piece at a time. My mouth was dry as I watched.

As he peeled off the last piece of clothing, Zayn's lean muscular body was bathed in the light overhead. I bit my lip as my eyes roved over him appreciatively, drinking in every inch of him.

He caught me staring and smirked, a delicious, smug smile that sent tingles down my spine. "Like what you see?" he teased, not waiting for an answer before he moved toward the bed.

I watched as he kneeled beside me on the mattress, his fingers tracing a path up my bare leg. He leaned in, his lips brushing the skin of my collarbone in a whisper-light touch that still managed to ignite every nerve in my body.

"Always," I managed to breathe out, my voice barely audible.

He flashed me another smoldering smile, his eyes dark with promise. His fingers started tracing patterns on my thigh, each touch leaving a trail of fire behind. As much as I wanted him, right then and there, something about this slow pace had me buzzing with anticipation. It felt like we were rediscovering each other anew, taking our sweet time to explore and cherish every second.

With a gentle but firm touch, he pulled my legs open. I gulped down the lump of excitement in my throat. I felt completely vulnerable. I was completely naked with the light making sure no part of me was cast in a flattering shadow.

"Beautiful," Zayn murmured.

He kissed my breast, his tongue swirling around my nipple until it peaked to a sharp point. His mouth trailed down my body, making me shudder. The warmth of his breath made my skin feel electric. He was in no rush, savoring every inch of me, marking his path with kisses and lingering touches that had my heart pounding like a drum.

I watched as he settled between my legs, spreading me wider before laying his head on my lower abdomen. He looked up at me from under his thick lashes, a wicked glint in his eyes holding me frozen.

I whimpered his name, writhing beneath him as he teased me mercilessly. His hands were firm on my hips, holding me steady while his mouth explored the most intimate parts of me.

"Tell me what you want," he murmured against my heated flesh. His voice was deep, echoing through the silence of the room and leaving goosebumps erupting all over my flushed skin.

"You," I managed to get out.

His tongue slid over my clit, intensifying the coiling tension that was building up in me. His hands roamed my body like he worshiped it, making me feel cherished and adored under his touch. Every nerve in my body was alive, yearning for his touch as he dipped his tongue into my folds. I arched against him, clutching the sheets tightly in my fists as pleasure surged through me.

"Zayn." I gasped his name again and again, feeling the walls of my world starting to close in. His kisses became more insistent, his tongue relentless in its assault on my senses.

When the orgasm broke, I cried out, my body violently jerking. He held me down and lapped at me.

With a low growl, Zayn moved up along my body, capturing my lips with his. I could taste myself on him. It sent a rush of desire through me, making me feel wild and untamed. His hardness pressed against my thigh and sent waves of anticipation through me.

He reached between us and positioned himself at my entrance. Then he paused and looked into my eyes, as if asking for permission. Considering we already had unprotected sex once, I didn't see any reason not to do it again. He felt so good inside me with nothing separating us.

I nodded, giving him the silent approval he was looking for. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he moved forward, entering me slowly. I gasped as he stretched me, my hands curling into fists against his chest. He stilled for a moment, allowing me to adjust before he started to move.

His thrusts were slow and measured, stirring up a storm of pleasure deep within me. His eyes never left mine as we moved together on the bed, our bodies entwined in an intimate dance that felt both natural and electrifying.

My fingers dug into his shoulders as he hit a particular spot inside me, drawing out a moan from the back of my throat. His pace quickened at that, his movements becoming more forceful.

I moaned his name like it was the only word I knew how to say. My body was coiling tightly again under his touch, the pressure building steadily toward another climax.

I felt like I was losing pieces of myself to him. I was happy to give them away, even knowing it might hurt later.

He whispered sweet things in my ear. Promises of a shared tomorrow, declarations of longing, whispers of adoration. Each word he spoke was like a caress, turning my insides to jelly and making my heart flutter wildly within my chest.

"Mine," he growled possessively, his lips tracing the shell of my ear. The raw intensity in his voice sent shivers down my spine. His thrusts grew more erratic, the pleasure building up into a crescendo that threatened to consume us both.

"Yes," I breathed out in response, melding my body closer to his. He was mine and I was his. At least for now. In this moment, I could allow myself to believe all of this was real. I could pretend our engagement was real and we were truly going to be married.

The tension built higher and higher until I felt like I could no longer contain it. My body convulsed as waves of pleasure washed over me. Zayn cried out my name as he found his own release moments after. Breathless and shaky, we held on to each other, a sea of sweaty limbs and tangled sheets beneath us.

He pulled out of me only to collapse at my side, both of us panting heavily. I rested my head against his chest, feeling his heart pound against his rib cage. His arm wrapped around me, pulling me closer into his embrace.

I looked up to find him staring at me. A soft smile played on his lips as he brushed a stray lock of hair away from my face. "That was…" he started, but didn't seem to have the words to finish.

"The best," I completed his sentence for him. There was no denying the fact that what we had just shared was something beyond mere physical pleasure. There was an emotional component, a connection between us that went deeper than anything I had ever felt before.

It scared the hell out of me.

It was going to hurt when we had to end this thing. I was going to be exposed to a whole nation of criticism now that our engagement was public. I was scared and wanted to back out, but I didn't want to let him down. I would just have to take my licks.

And enjoy the ride while I could.