Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

Alex

I thought I loved her before.

But nothing could have prepared me for the overpowering love that is flowing through me as I look up at her from where I kneel.

This woman, the love of my life, the mother of my child, is a hero.

I'm in awe of her.

And I'm thankful she is mine.

"Why? I'm a whore," she cries, her eyes wild, her face flushed and full of apprehension. "Run. It's the smart thing to do."

I shake my head, ignoring the tears that fall down my face. I can't believe this is what was holding her back. As if I would hold it against her, how she survived a fucking cult.

God help me.

This girl drives me crazy.

"Elliot, mi sol , if I'm running, I'm running to you."

Her eyes widen as her tears continue to stream down her cheeks. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely sure," I tell her, moving my thumb to catch her tears. " Mami , I can't fault you for how you survived. I am proud of you for protecting your sister and yourself. I knew before that you'd be a great mom, but fuck, Elliot, you'll do anything to protect the ones you love." More tears fall as she searches my gaze. Almost like she's waiting for me to change my mind.

Not gonna happen.

"I love you—so fucking much. I knew before that you were strong, brilliant, and beautiful, but do you realize that you're also a hero? That you stepped up and protected your sister in the only way you could?"

"Alex, I used sex?—"

"To protect your sister—and probably yourself. If you're fucking them, they can't abuse you. You took control, and you manipulated them. You fucking won, Elliot." I urge her to realize the truth. "Do I like the idea of you fucking some dudes? Hell no. This pussy is mine to please, to suck and lick, but Elliot, I know you did what you had to do to survive."

"How…why? I just don't understand how you can be so sure of me."

"Because I love you."

"But—"

"But nothing. Listen to me," I demand, my eyes burning into hers. "I applaud you. I love you. And like I've said, your past doesn't affect our future. We make our future, Elliot. We are going to love each other, support each other. We are going to love our son and all the kids I'm going to put in your belly after that. And we sure as shit are going to have a damn good time making those babies."

Her lips quiver as she shakes her head. "Are you sure? That's a lot to be okay with."

"It's not, because I understand why you did it."

"Alex, I wish I hadn't had to do it, but I had no choice?—"

" Mami , I know," I stress, holding her gaze. "I don't fault you. I'm not upset or even appalled at what you did. I just love you. I want my future to be yours."

Her voice is small, unsure, as she admits, "I want that."

"It's yours. I'm yours, Elliot. Surely you realize that by now?"

A sob escapes her lips as she looks up at me through tear-filled eyes. "Alex."

Just my name, that's all she can get out, and I'm okay with that. I kiss her ring finger before I look back up at her. "I love you, Elliot. I've loved you longer than I was even honest with myself about it. Every time I look at you, I see forever. I am in awe of your beauty, of your brain, and of your strength. I am proud that you're the mother of our child, and I want you to be my wife." I slide the ring onto her finger, wishing like hell I'd found her before Santiago found his wife because then she'd be wearing my grandmother's wedding ring. But this one I chose just for her. "Will you marry me, Elliot?"

I meet her flooded gaze, and when a smile curves her sweet lips, my heart swells ten times its size in my chest. "I love you, Alex."

Well, fuck me. Now I'm choking on a sob as I lean into her, pressing my forehead to hers. She wraps her arms around my neck as my eyes drift shut, and I inhale her deeply. Neither of us says another word as the four words she just uttered settle deep inside us.

When I open my eyes, she's watching me, tears streaming down her cheeks, her face red, her eyes swollen. Breathless, I ask, "Do you know how long I've waited for you to say that to me?"

She nods. "I know. I'm sorry I made you wait."

"It was worth the wait."

I grab her by the backs of her thighs and drag her onto my knee. She wraps her legs around my waist, and I lift her, turning her before I lay her softly on the bed. I press my knee between her legs, pushing up her skirt and reaching for her panties. I pull them off as she quickly unfastens my pants. "I would suck this pretty cunt of yours, but I need to be inside you. And let's be honest, I will be sucking this cunt every day that ends with Y."

"Alex, please," she pants as she rubs me from root to tip, running her thumb over the precome that is already gathering at the top. "Make love to me."

"Oh, mami . I've only ever made love to you," I tell her, cupping her neck. "Even when I was fucking you, it was with all the love in my heart."

Her watery gaze locks with mine as she guides me into her, and we both groan as I settle deep inside her. Her pussy clenches around my cock, and I'm lost for her as I brace my hands beside her head and pull back out ever so slowly. "Me too. I was just fighting it."

"I know, but I won," I say with a wink, thrusting deep inside her.

Her moan is loud and has me breathless. "I love when you win."

"Only for you, mi sol . Only you."

I pull down the top of her dress, cupping one breast as I roll her nipple between my thumb and forefinger. She lifts her hips, and I go deeper as I thrust into her, feeling drunk off her. I capture her mouth, kissing her hard as I continue to move in and out of her with almost brutal need. Her pussy squeezes my cock, and stars dance before my eyes.

I pull away from her sweet mouth, rising up on my knees before I capture her hips and piston into her. She thrashes beneath me, my name a chant on her lips as I disappear into her. Her pussy strangles my cock when she comes, and I'm right there with her. Filling her deeply and fully with my come as I continue to thrust into her, riding out my orgasm. She cups my face, dragging her thumb along my bottom lip as we both fight for breath, and I gaze down at her in a pussy-drunk state. She throbs around my cock as our gazes lock, and a slow grin slides across her lips.

I smile back as she whispers, "I never thought the first time I said I love you, you wouldn't say it back."

I can't help but chuckle as I roll us over so that we're on our sides, facing each other. I hook her leg over my hip so I can stay inside her. I wasn't kidding when I said it was my favorite place to be. I'd live like this if she'd let me.

"I don't have to say it. You know it's true," I say, cupping her throat in my hand. "You feel it everywhere, don't you?"

"I do. I think I always did." Her eyes are bright, though hooded. She leans in, pressing her lips to mine but not kissing me. "I love you, Alex."

My heart sings for this woman. I cup her jaw, peppering kisses along her lips before I whisper back, "I love you. For the rest of my existence."

Her lips curve against mine, and she whispers, "And beyond that."

I nod, my nose moving against hers, and I know I'm fully and utterly hers.