Page 140 of The Replay

She crosses her hands at the front. "I'm definitely overdressed for this scene."

I smile and I get up. I move slowly but I reach her and, just like I imagined hours before, I put my hands on her naked shoulders. My lips settle on the spot I've been craving since I saw her in this dress, right at the base of her neck. Then higher where her pulse beats strong.

"I can help with that," I say.

She drops her bag on top of the dresser and lets me run my fingers over her. I learn the fabric of her garment, looking for the zipper. She lifts her hands to start undoing her hair. Pin after pin makes it to the wood, while I pull down from the tiny metal tab.

"Arms down, gorgeous," I whisper against her skin.

I take a step back and let her dress fall to the floor. I take her in. A full minute goes by when I do nothing but admire her form, with those hills and dips and curves covered in a matching black set, and all that soft texture, with shimmering stretch marks and dimples I want to put my lips to.

"Are you okay?" I bring her a step closer to me. "That was a lot. With the party and the way things went with your parents…"

She takes a deep breath, but her face remains calm. "I'm okay. There's a lot yet to figure out with them but… yeah. I'm good now."

"Good." I bring her even closer. "Then maybe we can make this night about us."

She smiles and puts a hand on my chest. "Yes. Please."

"I want you."

It comes from my lips like a confession.

"You have me," she says.

My heart beats fast. Can she feel it under her fingers? I hope she does. But I take her hand and kiss her palm. Her wrist. Then pull her until we're next to the bed.

She kneels and helps me out of my underwear. We get rid of hers after. When I sit back on the bed, she straddles me and moves slowly, waking our bodies up. I help her with long passes of my hands over her skin and, God, if my lips are away from her for more than a second, it feels like a wasted breath.

Our torsos touch when she takes me in. Our chests caress as she rides me. I surround her in my arms and we gaze deeply into each other, breathing fast through parted lips, tenderness and passion mixing with each shared heartbeat.

"I don't want to lose you," I whisper. "I should have told you that years ago."

My hands splay at her back. Her fingers bore into my shoulders. Our eyes remain locked. She's wearing her nipple rings and I can't take those details in— our connection is crucial. Everything about the moment is an important memory, like I begged her to let me sear into my mind weeks ago. But now Idon't want it only because one day she might walk away from me again. I want it because I want it all with her.

"Stay," I breathe.

Her face breaks with the intensity of it all, and she surrounds my neck with her arms. Her face ends up burrowed against my neck. I hold her close. Her movements slow down, but I'm so deep in her, it's all perfect anyway.

"If you go," I add, "I'll follow."

"Dom…" her breathing changes.

The love I carry for her pulses bright inside of me. I'm full to the brim with how I feel for her. There's so much of it, she must be able to feel it thrumming through my skin.

"Wherever you are." I dig my nose into her hair. "That's where I want to be. We'll make it work, Mari."

"I want to be where you are, too." She rocks on me. "I'll stay."

I feel what must be tears falling onto my skin, and I make her look at me. The marks of their trails shine on her skin.

"Mari…"

"I choose you, Dom. I should have chosen you years ago. Even if…"

I can hardly breathe. My heart pounds against my ribcage. She's choosing me too. My chest opens up, so I can take in those words. Unadulterated joy follows.

We're getting everything we ever dreamed of.