78. Skyler

From Reese’s bedroom window, we can see the Christmas lights hung from every street light and tree bough. We’ll go home to Silver Bend next week and make the announcement. Though, it seems like Mitch and Cody have already told anyone who matters.

I’ve only been staying in Reese’s apartment for a day and a half, but it already feels like home. That’s probably because she’s here. And if she’s here, there’s no reason to leave.

We’ve been holed up, only leaving for food and books. I’ve been staring at the same page in my book for the last fifteen minutes, making no progress. Reese’s bare shoulders are just visible over the top of my book. She’s lying opposite me. Her dark hair spills over her back and she has the fluffy, purple blanket pulled up around her waist. Her feet are crossed at the ankle, just at my side. I let my free hand slide up and down her smooth calf. My gaze follows the elegant dip of her spine, lingering on that pretty little snake. “Maybe I should get a tattoo.”

She looks at me over her shoulder, lips curving up. “I’m not sure you can handle the pain.”

“I handle you just fine. I think I can handle the tattoo.”

She pretends to glower at me. “You’re cruising for a bruising, Tiger.”

“Promise?”

I grab her ankle and pull. She yelps, grabbing the sheets, but gets dragged backwards. I grab her, bundled up by the blanket, and flip her around so that she’s sprawled across my chest. “That’s better.”

She wiggles around, adjusting the blanket so that we’re laying skin to skin. I run my hands down her back and over her ass. “Do you still have that green bra?”

She tilts her head, thinking.

“You wore a green bra and leopard panties that first time.”

She grins. “Oh my God, I was so embarrassed. I had no idea anybody was going to be seeing my underwear that day.”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? That green bra won me over. The panties sealed the deal.”

“You like the mismatched look, huh?”

“I like the Reese look.”

With her hands braced on my chest, she leans down for a kiss. I meet her partway, lifting my head to press my lips to hers. I pull my head back, letting my fingers run through her hair. “Did I mention I love you?”

She grins, biting her bottom lip. “No, I don’t think you did mention that.”

I kiss her. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Her fingers trace my jaw. “Thank you for choosing me.”

That makes my heart hurt a little. I shouldn’t have hesitated for so long. “You were always the right choice. I’ll follow you as long as you let me. Wherever you want to go. Home is where you are.”

She leans forward, kissing me, sucking my lower lip into her mouth. She nips at it, drawing a groan from me. My cock twitches, pressed between my stomach and hers. She rolls her hips against mine, stoking the fire in my belly.

“Ready for round two?”

Her fingers trace along my neck.

“Very.”

She smiles. “Thank god. I wasn’t getting anywhere with that book.”

She lifts her hips and I fist my cock, lining it up with her body. Pushing back, she takes the head of my cock and rolls her hips, teasing. I grip her hips and lift mine, sinking a few inches inside. Wrapping my forearms around her waist, I pin her in place and slowly fuck her.

There was a time, not so long ago, when she came to me wanting help with all this. If she hadn’t been so brave, if I hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t be here.

Sometimes life is just about a series of mistakes and lessons learned. Two steps forward, one back, until you get to where you’re supposed to be. Reese gave me the courage to go after my heart’s desire. To leap into the unknown.

There’s freedom in falling.