41. When You’re Ready

41

" C hance!" I squealed, launching myself at him.

He'd been gone a little less than a week to attend Daniel's funeral, which had been long delayed due to the autopsy, and I'd been going out of my mind. Texting just wasn't the same.

"Hello, muse," he simpered, gathering me into his arms for an epic kiss, kicking the door behind him, to close us off from the outside world. "I missed you," he panted between kisses, coming at me until the backs of my knees hit the bed. I sat down, allowing him to occupy the space between my legs, pulling his face down to meet mine.

"You're wearing too many clothes," I pouted, tugging at his coat, which he quickly shed.

"You're the one wearing too many clothes." He pulled my shirt over my head, exposing my torso. Looming over me, as I lay back onto the bed, my legs dangling off the edge, he was still between them. Annoyingly he still hadn't removed more than his coat. He slowed his pace, kissing me long and hard, while his hand explored my exposed flesh.

"I don't want it slow," I whined as he took a nipple into his mouth; his eyes darted up to mine. "You were gone so long."

Smiling, he released me, stripping faster than I'd ever seen him capable of before, while I wiggled out of my pajama bottoms.

His hands were on me a moment later. "Of course you're already wet for me." Chance groaned, slipping a finger inside me easily. After a couple months, he knew exactly what buttons to push to get me going, and the only thing I loved as much as the noises he made during sex were the dirty words he used while working me up.

"How much did you miss me?" He sucked on the juncture of my neck and shoulder as he used his fingers to stroke me, building my climax bit by bit.

"So much…" I keened.

"Did you think of me when you touched yourself?"

He applied just the right amount of pressure to my clit to force me to arch against his hand.

"Yes!" I cried out, chasing the oncoming release.

"But nothing's as good as when I'm inside? Is it?" He circled my clit, not giving me enough friction to tip over the edge.

I shook my head back and forth. "No—it's never as good…"

I gasped when he pulled his fingers away. "Chance…" I whined.

"Relax," he cooed, and I felt the tip of his cock pressing against my entrance. "I'm giving you what you want."

I released a long and low groan as he slipped inside, wrapping my legs around his hips to pull him in deeper.

Words were forgotten then, as he rocked in and out of me, eventually his fingers returning to finish what they'd started. As requested, Chance moved at a quick and brutal pace. I soaked up every thrust, relishing in the mutual need we had developed for one another.

And when I came, he followed shortly thereafter.

I'd given in to Chance entirely, and had somehow, never felt more free. We worked together seamlessly, and we supported and saw the best in each other. Things that would have caused fights with past partners were easily overlooked. Matters that had been misunderstood were quickly resolved because we wanted things to work and were intent on giving each other the benefit of the doubt.

For so long I had wallowed in the betrayals of the past, and I'd let them define me. But now, I couldn't find it in myself to regret anything that had happened, because it led me to Chance. It had all been worth it to be with him, to feel that we belonged to each other. It surprised me how much the simple idea that one person having my back could uplift me to such great heights.

"Remind me again what our plans are exactly for next week?" I asked Chance, cuddled up next to him, after another round in the shower.

"Plans?" He lifted an eyebrow. "I plan to keep you in bed for seven days straight."

"Awfully ambitious and a tad presumptuous of you," I scoffed.

"If you're challenging me, I think you know you'll lose." He chuckled.

"I've never been to New York. I don't want to stay inside the whole time."

"What do you want to do or see? Make a list, and we'll go." He kissed the top of my head. "Whatever you want, I'll make it happen."

I'd never been able to travel before. I'd often thought about what it would be like, but I'd never really given myself permission to dream about what I would actually do.

"Talk to me." Chance was concerned over my silence, knowing how much I liked to spiral when left to my own devices.

"I've never really traveled before, other than just to move for school or work. I don't think I know how to travel," I admitted, drawing shapes on Chance's chest with my fingertip.

"There's not much to it—don't stress too much." He pulled me in closer to comfort me. "When you think of New York, what comes to mind?"

"Well, all the big stuff, but I don't like crowds, so I don't think I'd really like them in real life. Maybe we could go to a museum?"

"I know the perfect one." He began to comb his fingers through my hair. "What else?"

"Good food?"

"Tons of good food in New York. We'll get you sorted there."

"Something scenic, like Central Park?"

"See, you're not so bad at this." He smiled. "Do you think I could take some photographs of you, while we're there?"

I glanced up at him. He hadn't asked to take any photos of me since I'd discovered the first set. Errantly I thought, if the police found the negatives I'd returned to him while searching his room, nothing had come of it.

"If I'm supposed to be putting together a show, I'll need more work to display."

"You don't have any other photos you've taken before?" It wasn't that I didn't want him to take pictures of me, but there would always be a shy part of me, where self-doubt festered.

"I do, but for my first exhibition, I'd like to share my muse with the world." His face was hesitant. I realized Chance was nervous.

"Can I have final approval?" I bargained.

A giant grin split Chance's face. "Of course."

"Okay," I agreed, burying my face against him to hide the blush on my cheeks. But I was sure Chance already knew… He always knew.

"I love you, Violet," Chance breathed.

I peered up at him.

Had I heard him right?

No, I knew I had.

I wanted to say it back, but the words got caught in my throat. The last two times I'd given them to a partner, everything had gone to shit. I knew it wouldn't be like that with Chance, but I was still paralyzed with fear.

Sensing my panic, Chance smiled sweetly, tucking my hair behind my ear. "Only when you're ready, and not a moment before."

I relaxed in his hold.

Soon , I thought.

But only a few days later, everything came crashing down around me.