9. Dale

9

DALE

Bella sleeps against my chest and the nurses have come in a few times to check in and since I already woke her up frequently for the first twenty-four hours, we're able to give her longer spans of time to rest. Something she desperately needs.

They even realize it's best for me to hold her because when I tried to move, Bella became restless. The nurse kindly turns a blind eye whenever she comes in. She even offered me a blanket, but I haven't been able to fall asleep.

The anger coursing through my body right now makes it so I can't. If I had heard more of Bella's story when I had that asshole alone, I don't think I'd be holding Bella right now. I'd be locked up, and he'd be on a slab. The temptation to go after him is still raw, but I can't leave her side. Never.

She may not think so, but I think she's the strongest person I've ever met. To endure everything she did and remain the sweet and innocent person she is flabbergasts me.

The idea of not being by her side to protect her from anything else in this world is unthinkable. There's no more agonizing over my decision of whether I'll retire. It's a done deal from the moment I ran to Bella. I just didn't know it at the time.

Bella squirms and moves in tighter to my chest where she inhales deep, and a small smile upturns the corners of her mouth, and she sighs as she settles again.

I study her sexy heart-shaped lips, the cute button nose, the soft round cheeks, the perfectly arched eyebrows and the longest lashes. There's not a single doubt in my mind I'm in love with this woman. Knock me over the head with cupid's arrow and have me throw her over my shoulder and drag her away and keep her to myself, kind of love. And I don't want it any other way.

The morning light descends into the hospital room, and I may not have gotten any sleep, but I've never felt more restful in my life. It's like I'm invigorated and ready to start my life with Bella right now. The only thing is convincing her I'm the man for her.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out, hoping it doesn't wake Bella. It's a text from Eric.

Eric: You survive the storm? Ready to come here now?

Me: Survived. Staying put for a while. I'm going to take extended leave and file my papers. I'm out.

Eric doesn't waste any time, instead of texting, he calls. I send him to voicemail and text back.

Me: I can't talk now. I'll explain later. Just know I found my purpose and I'm holding on to her for dear life.

The dots bubble on my screen, and Eric's message pops up.

Eric: Seriously? Well shit, that's awesome. We can't wait to meet her. Call me when you can. Maggie has a million and one questions.

I smirk, knowing Maggie may have a ton of questions, but Eric is the reporter, and he'll overtake the conversation with every question after every sentence I utter. He's too damn curious for his own good.

Powering down my phone, I don't want it to disturb us again. I put it on the nightstand and curl around my woman, and finally I'm able to rest my eyes and fall asleep. The last forty-eight hours have been rough and the best of my life. However, having everything settled brings peace over me.

I open my eyes and Bella lays in front of me awake and she smiles at me as we lay facing each other. I pull her in closer and rest my forehead against hers.

"Morning." My voice is rough from disuse, and I close my eyes as I inhale my woman.

"Afternoon," she giggles.

"What?" I snap my eyes open and look out the window, and sure enough, I see the sun has risen in the middle of the sky. The hospital hallway is lively, and there's a lunch tray sitting beside the bed. "Shit. I'm sorry Bella. You should've woken me up."

She rests her hand on my chest then circles her palm and the need to purr or growl or something wants to override me because it's way too good.

"Don't be ridiculous. You needed your rest. You've only been getting power naps since I met you. You needed as much sleep as possible. The nurses are so kind and noticed too, so we made sure you got some."

I sink further into the bed and against Bella. "Hmmm, you're gonna need to stop stroking my chest like that." It's intoxicating, and it's got my dick harder than when I woke up. I try to keep my hips back, so she doesn't feel me pressing against her. But mostly so I don't begin rubbing all against her like a stud out in the pasture.

Bella's cheeks blush as I gaze over her face, and I'm relieved to see the stress isn't so tight around her eyes and there's no fear staring back at me. She looks young, like she's supposed to. And happy.

She slows her touch down but moves closer to my nipple and she caresses it and I moan. It's so good having her hands on me. She gazes up at through her lashes. "Why is that?"

I grip her waist tighter and want to curse the hospital gown for being in the way, as I want to caress her skin.

"You're playing with fire right now, baby."

Lust pools in her eyes as her breath quickens.

"What if I love to play with fire?"

The sultry silkiness in her voice has me becoming more animalistic with every second and I drag her body against mine and she gasps as my hard cock digs into her soft belly and I peck her lips as I seek permission to devour her.

"Oh, hello." She smiles, and she lowers her hand down my chest and circles her hand along my abs.

My hands roam over her curves and my cock is becoming more demanding than I would like. I'm no longer concerned we're in a hospital, or that I should speak with her doctor about her care, or that we should take this slow because she's been through an ordeal. All I know is she is my woman. I need her. I need to claim her, so there's no doubt she's mine and I'll always take care of her. It's a driving need I've never endured before, but it's turning me into more of an animal than man and I'm not sorry for it.

I crash my lips against hers and swallow her taste as I fantasize doing the same thing between those gloriously thick thighs.

Soft little mewls escape her as I roll on top of her and sink my hips in between her thighs. One of her legs wraps around me and her hands move from my front to my back as I get a handful of her breast in my palm, but even with my large hands she still overflows, and I moan against her mouth.

Her small hands wander all over my back and ass and she even grabs a handful herself and I jerk my hips forward. I kiss down her jaw and tease her neck as she gasps when I reach a spot below her ear. I smile and suck there, stroking her with my tongue and nipping, only to soothe it with soft kisses. My Bella's breath hitches faster, and I love how I found a pleasure spot for her. I can't wait to find more.

The door opens, "Well, Miss…oh, yeah. Okay." Bella's doctor walks into the room with one nurse who tries to hide a smile while the older doctor blushes and tries to look away.

"Doctor," I say and nod.

I'd like to think I'd jump up off the bed and preserve as much of our modesty as possible, but it's not what I do, and not with Bella. There's no shame and nothing to hide from. It's Bella's blushing and shy nature that has me easing off her and the bed and making sure she's covered. I kiss the top of her head to calm her down and I sit, hoping to hide my erection as much as possible. It's going to take me a few minutes to make myself more presentable, but I'm not too worried about it.

I may not be ashamed or embarrassed, but we're all adults here and they know what's going on. They're doctors and nurses. They're aware of what happens with the body.

"Sorry, doctor," Bella whispers.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, baby." I stroke her arm and hold her hand. I hate hearing her apologize when no apology is needed. "So doc, how's my girl doing? Is she ready to be discharged?"

The doctor clears his throat and comes further into the room while the nurse walks over and rechecks Bella's vitals.

"Yes, I'd like you to come back in a week for a follow up just for precautionary purposes. If you start vomiting, having fevers, passing out, or feel extremely off, I want you back here immediately."

"Don't worry, Doc, I'll keep a close eye on her and take great care of her."

The nurse smiles wider but buries her head and fiddles with the machines. Bella's face goes even redder, and the doctor nods but doesn't look me in the eye.

I gaze at them all, trying to figure out what I said, but ignore it because I'm happy to get her out of here and all alone. I need to finish what we started. Now I know she's free to be mine. I'm doing just that.

Pulling into the driveway of the beach house, I take extra precaution in helping her out of the car, where I take no notice of her rolling her eyes and sighing. Not only do I want her to continue to rest like the doctor instructed for her to do, but I'm still turned on and holding her, touching her, and smelling her is something I need desperately. We need to finish what we started in that hospital room.

I slam the door shut with my foot behind me, only to stop for a second, turn around, and lock it. There are to be no interruptions.

"Dale, where are you taking me?" She squirms in my arms and I hold her tighter. "The couch is that way."

I chuckle. "Bella, we're not going to the couch. I'm going to taste, lick, kiss, and suck every inch of your body, and I need room to explore."

Her little hands tighten on my shoulder and her breath quickens. "Oh."

I glance at her and lay her on the massive king size bed. This will do perfectly to let me explore her properly.

Bella drops her gaze, and I kneel in front of her, cupping her cheek. "If you don't want to do this, then we won't."

Her head shoots up, and she shakes it adamantly. "No, that's not it."

I tip my head to the side as I lock my gaze with hers and ask, "What's wrong?"

She rolls her lips together as she plays over what she's wanting to say. I give her time. There's no need to rush anything about our relationship. Because that's what we're having. We're having a relationship. We haven't discussed the details, but she's going to know she's mine by the end of this conversation.

"I just had time to think, and I'm wondering if you're sure about still wanting me. I can't do a weekend thing. I need more, but I'll understand if that is all you want. I mean, look at the mess I brought into your life. I have nothing to offer, and I'm going to be too much of a hassle for you."

"Whoa. No, baby. I want you more than anything. Like hell, this will only be a weekend thing. I want you forever. You have everything to offer. You're offering the most precious thing in the world to me."

She huffs, "Yeah, right. Like what?"

"You."

Bella stops and observes me as she's become speechless. I cup both her cheeks and lean my forehead against hers. "Baby, you're everything to me. I've fallen so hard for you, there's nobody else in the world for me. If you won't accept me now, then I'm going to live the rest of my existence alone with a broken heart, but I'll let you go. If that is what you truly want. But there is nothing you are taking away from my life or making it harder for me. You'll be giving me the world and I'm going to cherish it for the rest of my days and beyond because I'm going to be chasing you for however long there is out there once we part this earth."

Tears build in her eyes and I stroke her cheeks with my thumbs.

"I love you, Amelia Grace Brown, my Bella. Now and forever, I love you. I want you. I choose you. Now the question is, do you choose me? Do you love me?"

There's no hesitation or second-guessing. Bella launches into my arms. Her mouth connects with mine and I'm surprised and fall back onto the floor. I laugh into her kiss.

"I. Take. That. As. A. Yes," I say as best I can as we make out.

"Yes. Yes. Yes." Bella opens her legs and straddles my stomach, and my cock is a live wire and ready to plunge inside her sweet pussy, but we only have one first time together and I want her begging me by the end of this.

"Fuck, Bella, I love you."

"I love you too. Now prove it and make love to me."

I chuckle and grab her hips. "Gladly." I pull her body to line her on top of my cock and thrust up while she rolls her hips. She moans and throws her head back as I suck down her neck.

"Oh, that feels so good. I need you inside me."

"Nope, have patience, baby. I'm going to have my fun with you. I'm going to learn what you love, what you need." I flip us over so she's on her back and I kiss down her chest and squeeze her heavy breasts in my palm. "These are magnificent, you know that? Do you know how badly I want to slide right in the middle of these babies?"

"Yes, yes. I want you everywhere. Do everything?" She rolls her head back and forth as her eyes remain closed and she rubs her pussy against me, getting the friction she desires.

"We have a lifetime, baby. We'll get around to everything, but tonight I need to taste you and explore you. I need you melting in my arms. I need to ruin you for any other man. This is forever. Only you and me."

Bella's eyes snap open and she gazes at me and cups my cheek. "Forever." The love in her eyes is profound and her conviction in how she looks at me has me choked up and I don't know what to say or do with myself because, for the first time in my life, I'm part of a miracle. A part of the most precious duo the world has ever created, and I'm in awe of it.

I push myself up and kiss her sweetly and pour everything from my heart, my soul, into the kiss because I'm learning what it's like to make love. This is far more than a physical release or pleasures of the flesh, this is soul binding, mate bonding, infinity type of love.

The passionate rushing need has dissipated as I strip us naked on the floor and I gaze over her body splayed beneath me. Her hair fans above her like a halo. She holds my forearms as I soak her in. Her lips are swollen from my kisses, her eyes are black with lust, her breasts sway as her chest rises and falls. Her soft stomach and smooth skin entice me to lick her and mark her. Her wide hips are spread open around my thighs and her small patch of curls glisten with the invitation to follow her further down to her pink lips.

My cock throbs as pre-come leaks from the head and I lick my lips at the idea of diving into my first feast. I'm building the anticipation further, as if it were Christmas Eve and I get to gaze at my presents under the tree, anticipating and building the suspense of what is going to be a life altering moment for me.

"Dale?" Bella moans and squirms beneath me. "Touch me."

I lift my gaze to hers and I'm in awe. "Baby, you're so perfect. God, I'm so lucky to have you to myself."

Bella's face softens, and she smiles. "I'm the lucky one." Her hands stroke up my arms as far as they can while she stays laying, and she roams her hands over to my chest and down my abs. I groan and close my eyes at the blissful feeling of her touching me. She grips my cock with both hands and strokes, collecting my pre-come and sliding it on my cock. I throw my head back and hiss. It's the best thing I've ever felt, and I wonder if I'm going to die once I thrust inside her.

Her hands leave my body far too soon and I open my eyes, only to thrust against her stomach as she licks her hands clean. "Oh, fuck."

"That's the idea, silly." She giggles as she sucks her hands clean. "Mmmm, you're tasty."

I can't take it anymore. I drop my head and I dive in, licking and sucking on her lower lips, then engulfing her engorged clit. She's the sweetest, tangiest flavor I've ever encumbered and I'm now officially an addict.