Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Raffa

Sinclair helped me more than I expected. We finished what I thought would take weeks in just a couple of days. I forget sometimes that I can count on my family—that my brothers aren't my competition anymore, they're my support system. He even helped me convince Henrik to sell me one of the houses he owns here in Kentbury. The one close to the lake, with a lot big enough to build a huge studio on. Not now, but when I convince Meadow that we're meant to be together.

I fly back to Kentbury with flowers in hand, dressed in a suit that feels more out of place here than it ever did in Boston. But for tonight, it's worth it. I rush to the gallery, my heart beating faster than it has in weeks.

When I step inside, the gallery is buzzing with final touches, but there's still an hour before it officially opens. Meadow's back is to me as she adjusts a piece on the wall, talking to someone I can't quite see.

"I'm sorry we're still setting up. There's another hour before the gallery is actually open," she says, not looking up.

"Are you sure you want me to leave?" I ask softly, not moving from my spot by the door. "I can help with whatever you need."

She whirls around, her eyes wide when she sees me standing there. Before I can say anything else, she runs to me and jumps into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck. The flowers crinkle between us, but I couldn't care less.

"You're here," she breathes against my lips, placing a soft kiss on them. "I thought you said that you weren't able to make it for the gallery opening."

"Well, I didn't think it was possible. But you were right about something," I say, smiling as I brush a strand of hair from her face. "Leaning on others—friends, family—pays off."

I kiss her again, deeper this time, holding her close, inhaling the scent of her. Her warmth melts every bit of tension in my body. But after a moment, we pull apart, the gallery still needing some last-minute attention before it opens to the public.

Together, we finish the final details—adjusting lights, setting up displays, all while stealing glances and soft touches. When the doors officially open, the crowd begins trickling in, and I'm right by her side, ready for the night to begin.

Paul arrives not long after, and I can see the smile on his face when he spots me. He doesn't say much, just gives me a nod, but I know what it means. He's happy I'm back, happy that I'm taking care of myself, and—most importantly—happy I'm here to stay.

"See, I knew you'd be back sooner," Grandma Genie chimes in, making her way over. "This place has grown on you more than you want to admit, boy."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "You might be right, Grandma. But it's not just the place—it's the people. Especially one certain person."

She winks at me knowingly, patting me on the arm before moving on to chat with someone else.

As the night progresses, I can't take my eyes off Meadow. I watch her as she moves through the crowd, explaining the art pieces with such passion, her face lighting up every time someone listens. She's in her element, completely at ease, and it's mesmerizing. Seeing her like this—happy, confident, glowing—stirs something deep inside me, knowing this gallery, this moment, is all hers.

She's everything I didn't know I needed.

And the more I watch her, the more I want her. I've held back for too long, thinking it was too soon, that I needed more time. But I don't want to wait anymore. Not when I could have her now, and for as long as she'll have me.

I move toward her, my resolve growing with every step.

As the opening winds down and everyone filters out, I stay behind to help Meadow clean up. It's been a perfect evening, but as the last person leaves, I'm caught off guard when Meadow suddenly pushes me up against the wall and kisses me—hungrily.

For a split second, I'm stunned, but I quickly return the kiss, my hands finding their way to her waist. I deepen the kiss, my tongue sliding into her mouth, tasting her, feeling the heat of her body against mine. Every part of me aches to feel more of her, to devour her whole.

"Come home with me to my place," she whispers against my lips, breathless.

A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth, and I nod, pulling back just enough to look at her—her flushed cheeks, her wide, lust-filled eyes that seem to draw me in deeper than I ever thought possible.

"Lead the way, pretty lady," I murmur, taking her hand in mine.

She locks up the gallery, and we walk, side by side, down the quiet street toward her house. The air between us crackles with tension, the kind that has been building for weeks. When we reach her front door, I wait as she unlocks it, flicking on the light before stepping inside. She motions for me to sit on the couch, but I don't want to sit. Sitting is the last thing on my mind.

I shake my head, moving toward her with a slow, deliberate pace. "I've been waiting for this moment with you for so long, Meadow. I don't want to waste a single second. You look incredible in that dress—I've been dying to devour you all night."

"I want you too, Raffa," she replies, her voice like a soft melody in the quiet of the room. "I've wanted you since the first moment I saw you."

That's all I need to hear. We're on each other in seconds, hands frantically pulling at clothes, exposing skin inch by inch. Her soft moans send a pulse of heat through me as my hands explore her body. My fingertips brush against her smooth skin, and I can't stop kissing her—her lips, her neck, anywhere I can reach.

I guide her toward the couch, gently easing her down before kneeling in front of her. My hands caress her thighs, spreading them slightly as I press soft kisses along her stomach, teasing my way lower.

"I'm going to devour you," I murmur, my voice low and rough, my lips grazing her skin as I speak, each word dripping with both desire and promise.

Her breath catches, and the look in her eyes shifts—anticipation, need, everything we've both been holding back for far too long. My fingers trail down her legs, slowly hooking around the edge of her panties. With one slow, deliberate motion, I pull them down, letting them drop to the floor.

She gasps softly, her fingers tangling in my hair as I kneel before her, my lips brushing her inner thigh. The taste of her skin fuels the fire already raging inside me, and I take my time, savoring each kiss I place lower and lower.

When my mouth finally finds her center, I hear her breath hitch—her moan is soft, but it sends a shiver down my spine. I part her gently, my tongue flicking out to trace slow, teasing circles around her clit. She arches against me, her hips moving in time with each flick of my tongue, as if her body is guiding me toward exactly what she needs.

I lick slowly, deliberately, feeling the way her body responds to every movement. Her legs begin to tremble, and the moans spilling from her lips grow louder, more desperate. I love the sound of her—soft and breathy, completely lost in the moment.

Her hand tightens in my hair as I deepen the rhythm, alternating between soft kisses and the firm pressure of my tongue. Her hips buck against me, the tension in her body building with every stroke, every flick of my tongue over her swollen bundle of nerves. She's getting closer, I can feel it—the way she tightens, the way her breathing quickens, and the way her grip on me becomes almost desperate.

I pull her even closer, my hands gripping her thighs, and I push her higher and higher until finally, her whole body tenses. She gasps, trembling, her release spilling over as I hold her through the waves of pleasure that rock her.

For a moment, neither of us speaks. The only sound is her ragged breathing, and I can't help but grin against her skin, knowing I've just made her fall apart in my hands.

"Raffa . . ." she breathes, her voice shaky but satisfied.

I rise to meet her, kissing her deeply, tasting the remnants of her release on my lips as I pull her into my arms.

"You're so beautiful, Meadow. I hope you know just how beautiful you really are," I whisper, capturing her lips in a deep, searing kiss. My hands trail down her body, unzipping my pants and pulling out a condom. I slide it on, positioning myself between her legs as I feel her body arch into mine.

She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me closer, her body aligning with mine as I press the tip of my cock against her entrance. I pause for a moment, savoring the feel of her, the heat of her skin against mine, her breath hitching in anticipation. Her nails dig lightly into my shoulders as I push in slowly, inch by inch, groaning at the way she grips me—tight, perfect, like she's made for me.

"God, you're so tight," I rasp, my voice hoarse, almost a growl. I push deeper, her body enveloping me completely. Her moan echoes in my ears, driving me further, harder. "I need you," I whisper, my lips brushing against her ear as I start to move, thrusting into her with deliberate strokes, each one slow, controlled. "I've needed you like this for so long. You feel so good, so perfect."

Her back arches beneath me, her breath coming in soft gasps, and I can feel her body clench around me, pulling me in even tighter. "I've wanted this too," she breathes out between moans, her voice shaking. "You're so deep . . ."

I thrust harder, faster, my body pressing against hers, feeling every inch of her trembling beneath me, every moan, every gasp. My hand slides up her thigh, gripping it firmly, pulling her closer as I bury myself deeper, savoring the way she responds to every movement. Her body molds to mine like we were made for this.

"Tell me how much you want this," I murmur, my voice rough, almost commanding, as I lean down to capture her lips in a searing kiss. Her nails drag down my back, her hips meeting mine with desperate need.

"I want you . . . always," she whispers, her voice a breathy moan, eyes dark with desire as she meets my gaze. "I need you so much, I can't . . . I can't get enough of you."

I groan, the sound vibrating through both of us as I lose myself in her, thrusting deeper, harder, feeling her tighten around me. "I'm yours," I growl into her ear, my control slipping as her body responds to mine. "I'm only yours."

Her moans grow louder, her body arching beneath me, and I can feel her nearing the edge, pushing me there with her. My hands grip her hips, pulling her down onto me as I thrust one final time, the pleasure building to a peak, our bodies moving in sync. She cries out, her legs tightening around me, and I feel her climax, the way she clenches around me sending me over the edge. I let go, groaning her name as I come, lost in the intensity of it all.

The world feels like it shatters around us as we ride the wave together, gasping for breath, our bodies trembling. As the intensity fades, I stay inside her, unwilling to break the connection just yet. I lean down, brushing my lips against her forehead, tenderly, lovingly, as we both catch our breath.

"I love you," I murmur, the words slipping out, raw and honest. "I love you more than I've ever loved anyone."

She meets my gaze, her eyes soft, filled with something more than just passion. "I love you too," she whispers, her voice trembling with emotion. "Always."

Slowly, I ease out of her, still savoring the closeness, the way her body feels against mine. I don't want this moment to end, the quiet aftermath where everything feels perfect, like we've found something we've both been searching for. I press another soft kiss to her lips, content to stay here, tangled together, as long as she'll have me.

Meadow watches me with a soft, content smile as I help her out of the rest of her clothes, taking my time, my fingers brushing over her skin with reverence. She undoes the buttons on my shirt, sliding it off my shoulders, and we laugh softly at how slow we're moving now, the urgency replaced by something sweeter, more intimate.

Once we're both undressed, I guide her gently to the bed, pulling the covers back as we crawl in together. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close against my chest, and she snuggles into me, her warmth a comfort I didn't know I needed this badly.

"I'm glad you came back to me, Raffa. Tonight wouldn't have been the same without you," she whispers, her voice soft, full of emotion, as she nestles her head against my chest.

I tighten my hold on her, resting my chin on top of her head, breathing her in. "Of course I came back," I murmur, my heart swelling with the realization of how much she means to me. "I had to come back and be with the girl I love."

The words spill out naturally, and as soon as they do, I realize how true they are. I love her. It's not just desire or infatuation—it's more. It's the way she's grounded me, how she's made me see things differently. Made me want something more than just success and survival.

Meadow pulls back just enough to look up at me, her eyes shining with something that looks like hope, maybe even love. She doesn't say anything, just smiles softly and presses a kiss to my chest before settling back into my arms.

As I hold her, I can't help but think about how everything's changing. Meadow's about to start a new chapter in her life with the gallery, and I want to be there for it. I want to be part of her new beginning, and hell, maybe I'm ready for my own new beginning too.

With her.

In Kentbury.