Page 91 of Let's Be Forever

“I never thought I would. I trust you.”

This is the biggest I’ve ever seen her smile. “How are Anna and Rosie doing? I hope she’s not upset about what happened? It was rough the first few days, but we’ve got it under control.”

“Rosie is great, and Anna is…” I try to tame my smile, keep it small, but my lips naturally stretch wide. “Yeah, she’s great too. She’s busy with the bakery, and is staying offline. Even if she wasn’t, she’s not bothered. She’s so strong and resilient. It also helps that we took care of it as soon as it was out.”

She stares at me knowingly. “Good, I’m happy to hear it. If she needs anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate to let me know. And you too, please. I’m here to help you in any way I can.”

“Thanks, but I think we’re good.” I pause. “Actually, I do need help with one thing.”

I’m getting ready for tonight’s game—it’s the first of the season—when I hear a knock on my bedroom door. It can’t be Anna because she’s at work and Rosie wouldn’t be able to get her knuckles to beat on the door that loud.

While the girls have been living here for a while, Maya’s never stepped on this side of the condo. We talk more than I thought we would. Granted, it’s not a lot, but I know she doesn’t hate me, and I’ve no doubt she knows about me and her sister.

I also thought she and Rosie weren’t here. She said she was going to take her to the park. I didn’t hear them get back.

I let the silk tie hang around my neck and open the door, but then I pull it all the way back. It’s not Maya on the other side but Anna.

“Hey, I—” She doesn’t manage to get the rest of the words out as I circle my arms around her and press her to my body.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

The bakery doesn’t close for a few more hours, so I didn’t expect to see her until later tonight.

Anna circles her arms around me. “I’ll be going back, but I…I just wanted to wish you good luck.”

I cup her face, tipping her head back to look at her. My heart was already racing madly, but now, it’s out of control.

“I love you,” I blurt. I internally wince. Is it too soon to tell her? I used to be able to say it all the time, whenever I wanted, but this is different. I don’t want her to feel obligated to say it or feel like I’m trying to rush things. “You don’t have to say it back. I just needed to tell you because I do. I love you and I’ll never stop.”

She wedges her lip between her teeth, mulling over what I’ve said, and as she does, her cheeks rise. “I love you and I’ll never stop, unfortunately. I tried, but alas, my efforts were for nothing.”

God, I love this woman. I lift her up and close the space between our mouths as I kiss her. She giggles into my mouth, and when I lay her on my bed, she quiets down. Both ends of my tie hover over her face when I pull back, and that’s when her gaze roams all over me.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She groans, her expression pinched with annoyance.

“What?” I look at myself to make sure I don’t have anything on my suit.

“This color?” She gingerly grabs the lapel, running the pads of her fingers down it to the button. “I can’t stand you.”

I’m wearing her favorite color. “I just had to. Looks good on me, huh?”

“I’m not going to agree with you. Your ego doesn’t need any more inflating.” She pats my shoulder, urging me to get off her.

I steal one more kiss before I’m pushing off the bed and she’s getting up. We switch positions. I perch on the edge and she’s standing between my parted thighs, grabbing my tie to fix it for me. She used to do this, not all the time but occasionally.

I snake my arms around my waist and debate whether now is the time to tell her what I’ve been thinking.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” she asks, eyes fixed on my neck.

I suppress my chuckle. She knows me so well. “It’s not appropriate.”

“Not appropriate?” Her brows furrow, pausing what she’s doing, before she resumes but undoes the knot. She loops the tie around my collar, making sure it’s snug. “Stop holding back, and tell me.”

I swallow and swallow again when she tightens it. My palms drift down, and I see a muscle jump in her jaw. “Your body is different.”

“Oh yeah?”

My throat goes dry, and my cock throbs. “Your ass is bigger, your breasts are bigger, your stretch marks…” I lift her shirt, caressing the faint white lines on her skin. She doesn’t have many, just a few, but I love looking at them. “They drive me insane. I just want to bite you, lick you, kiss you, fuck you. Iwantyou.”