26. Billie

CHAPTER 26

BILLIE

" S he's asleep," I whisper.

But James stays standing in Quinn's bedroom doorway, looking in on her. The nightlight casts soft stars around the room, and Quinn is passed out after James's reading of nearly every book on her shelf. At this rate, she'll probably expect him to read to her for two hours every night.

And maybe he will. Since the moment he met her earlier today, he's been enamored.

"I can't walk away," he whispers back. "How do you not stand here and stare at her all night?"

I chuckle softly and step closer to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I know the feeling. I still stare at her when she's sleeping sometimes."

James turns to me, his eyes full of love and wonder. "I can't believe she's real. That she's really mine."

"She is," I assure him, standing up on my toes to place a soft kiss on his lips. "And she's lucky to have you as her father."

He pulls me close, deepening the kiss. "I love you," he breathes against my lips, his voice thick with emotion.

"I love you too," I reply, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

James leans his forehead against mine, his eyes closed in contentment. "I never thought I could have something like this, a family. But you and Quinn, you're everything I never knew I needed."

I know, deep in my heart, that he means it. That we'll always be a family, no matter what life throws our way. As we stand there, holding each other in the quiet of Quinn's bedroom, I know that this is where I'm meant to be. With James and Quinn by my side, I have everything I'll ever need.

We haven't told Quinn the whole story about why James hasn't been around — just that he and her birth mom lost touch and couldn't find each other.

It's not exactly the truth, but it's what Quinn needs to hear right now. When she's older, and more able to understand the complexities of adult relationships, we'll be able to tell her the full story.

I like to think that Sara would agree with my choice, that she's looking down on us, maybe even guiding some of the decisions I make when it comes to Quinn.

Gently, I close the bedroom door and lead James into the living room.

We sit down on the couch, and I snuggle up next to him. I can feel the warmth emanating from his body, and I lean in to kiss him again. This time, it's not just a soft kiss. It's deep, passionate, and full of love.

As our lips part, James pulls back and looks at me. "Billie, I know we haven't talked about it, and it's all happening so quickly, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

My heart leaps with joy and excitement. "I want that too. I love you, and I've never been happier than when I'm with you and Quinn. But are you sure? We've only known each other for a short time."

"I'm sure," he replies without hesitation. "I know it seems sudden, but I feel like I've known you my whole life. I don't want to waste any more time. I want to make you my wife and spend the rest of my days making you happy."

I feel my eyes welling up with tears of joy. James is the man of my dreams, and I can't imagine spending one more day without him.

"Yes, James," I say, my voice shaking with emotion. "I will marry you."

He pulls me into his arms and kisses me deeply. Our bodies entwine, and I feel his love coursing through me. I know that, from this moment on, we'll be together.

As our kiss deepens, his hands wander over my body. The heat between us is palpable, pulsing through me in waves. I pull back and look into his eyes. "I want you," I whisper.

He nods, his eyes full of desire. In an instant, we're up and moving toward the bedroom.

I don't give him a chance to take charge. Kissing him hungrily, I unzip his pants and push them down.

Our eyes locked, I get on my knees in front of him.

Slowly, I take his hard cock into my mouth and slide it in and out, sucking and licking at the tip. His precum drips onto my tongue, and I moan with delight as I take him deeper and deeper.

James watches me with a smile on his face. I can tell he's loving the sight of me on my knees before him.

Desire flushes through my body and I rock my hips back and forth as I suck him off. The pressure between my legs is building, and I know I'm dripping wet. I need him, and I need him now.

The moment I feel him throbbing in my mouth, I pull him in deep and swallow. He groans as he lets loose.

I look up at him as I lick him clean. Immediately, his eyes flash with lust, and he pulls me to my feet.

James is like a man possessed, laying me on the bed and sliding my sweatpants and panties off. His eyes drinking me in, he drops to his knees and buries his face between my thighs.

My body responds instantly to his touch. I run my hands through his hair and let out a low moan as heat surges through my veins.

As he works my body with his tongue, I spread my legs as far as they'll go. I'm getting wetter and wetter, a powerful ache coursing through me.

"Don't stop," I moan. "Oh, James, please don't stop."

He continues his delicious assault on my body, pressing hard against my clit with his tongue. There's an orgasm building, stronger and more intense than any I've ever had. I want it so badly, I can feel my whole body tensing up.

I explode, waves of pleasure erupting throughout my body. I arch my back off the bed as pleasure ripples through my body.

James pulls away, but I pull him back to me. I can see the need in his eyes, the desire to have me.

"I want you," I whisper. "I want to feel you inside me."

He doesn't say anything, just stands up and removes his clothes. I pull off my top and bra, my eyes fixed on his.

With the both of us fully naked, he climbs on top of me. The tip of his cock presses against my opening, and I moan with desire.

"Oh, God, James," I whisper, my voice husky with lust.

He teases me with his thickness, sliding it up through my folds and over my clit. I'm so wet now, his cock is slipping and sliding over my swollen parts.

"Please," I moan, my need for him growing and growing.

I can see that he's enjoying this, the sight of me squirming with need. He's getting pleasure from this, just like I am.

He pulls away, and I let out a frustrated groan.

"Not yet," he says, a wicked smile on his face as he leans down and takes one of my nipples into his mouth. My body tenses in pleasure as he sucks on it, his tongue flicking back and forth over my sensitive skin.

"You're so fucking sexy," James says, moving his mouth to the other nipple. "I'm going to fuck you so hard."

But he doesn't. He just keeps teasing my nipples, sucking and twisting them as I wiggle with pleasure.

Finally, he kisses his way up my throat and to my lips. His dick presses against my opening, and slowly, achingly, he slides himself inside me. I gasp as I feel every inch of him penetrate my most intimate places.

"Yes," I moan. "Yes, oh yes."

He moans and begins to thrust deeper. My hips rock up and down as his thickness slides in and out of me, and pleasure surges through my body. I know it won't be long before he pushes me over the edge.

The pleasure throbs through me, and within moments I'm coming so hard that I can't even make a sound. My body trembles, my toes curl, and every muscle in my body seems to clench tight. I'm surrounded by pleasure, and my body is floating away into the sky.

James continues to thrust, his primal groans filling the air. I close my eyes and let it wash over me.

Then, just as I know he's about to come, I open my eyes. I want to see his face as he finishes.

I want to see the moment of ecstasy, when he releases himself inside me.

It doesn't take long. His features are twisted in pleasure, his thrusts becoming frantic, and then he's slamming into me one last time. His body tenses up, and he lets out a deep, guttural groan.

I feel him exploding inside me, filling me up with his warmth before he collapses on top of me, panting and sweating.

Our bodies are still pressed close together, his heartbeat drumming against my chest. His warmth settles around my body, and for a moment, nothing else exists.

"You're fucking amazing," James whispers breathlessly.

"So are you," I whisper back.

I bury my face in his shoulder, savoring this moment. Savoring everything that has happened that's lead us here.

Savoring this life.