Page 150 of Luci’s Lullaby

I park in front of the house, staring at it as I get my head together. I shake it clear. “What are you doing? After all you’ve been through, just go. Don’t think, just do.”

I push the car door open and run to the door. I press play on Lullaby and wait. My heart pounds in my ears as I wait for what feels like a lifetime. It’s late and I begin to worry he may have gone out.

I step back, searching the windows for a sign of life.

“What’re you doing?” I spin to find Alden standing behind me.

I fidget, trying to find the right words. I shove my phone out. “I heard this.”

His eyes flicker from me to my phone and back. “Yeah? What do you think?”

I bite and release my lip as an old, familiar pull sits in my lower belly. I lock eyes with him, his are burning deep and dark. Fear creeps in, silencing my words. I know, in this moment, I can’t let fear win.

My words won’t come, but I refuse not to allow myself to have this man’s love. So I give him mine, praying he’ll understand. I step into him, gazing into his eyes.

I wrap my hand around his neck and pull his mouth to mine, kissing him with all the love in my heart. I sweep my tongue with his, holding him to me, telling him everything I can.

He leans away, searching my eyes, and my heart clenches. “What are you doing?”

I step back, looking into his eyes. “I needed to tell you how I felt. Feel about you.”

He drops his head, shaking it. “Charlee…”

I clutch my chest, trying to keep my heart from falling out. “Oh, no.” I shake my head as I retreat further back. “Please don’t say it, I can’t bear it.”

He frowns. “I love you.”

“What? I thought you were going to say you didn’t anymore.” My pulse runs rampant.

He stalks toward me, wrapping me in his arms. “Never, I’ve loved you longer than I ever knew.” His mouth takes mine, and I mold to him.

He reaches behind us, unlocking the door and pushing me inside. He slams the door and my back into the wall. I fist his hair, trying to get closer as if it’s even possible.

He pulls back, searching my eyes. “I’ve missed gazing into these, my beautiful baby blues.”

“I’ve missed you, I’m sorry. I’m just so scared.” He kisses me breathless.

“Me too, but I know how much you love me, and I’m going to trust you won’t hurt me.” I press my mouth into his. He unbuttons my pants and pushes them down my legs.

“I do love you.” I drag his shirt over his head and find his mouth again. “Since high school.”

“I know, I’ve loved you since then but didn’t realize it.” He takes my mouth again.

I push him back. “Wait. What did you say?”

He breaks into his boyish smile and picks me up. “I was too shy back then to tell you.” His tongue sweeps into my mouth, swirling with mine. “I’ve never forgotten your eyes, in all the years; they’re what I remember most.”

He lays us back on the bed, wedging himself between my legs. “Did you know who I was when I came home with you that night?”

He smirks, and my pussy clenches. “Yeah, please don’t be mad.”

“When did you know?” I search his eyes and see nothing but love.

He bites his lip, and I lick the crimson left in his teeth’s aftermath. “The minute you turned around. I’d know your blue eyes anywhere, Charlee Rae. But then you said your name was Rae, so I went with it.”

“But Reese and that whole thing?”

“You were so worried about me finding out who you were, I didn’t want to ruin the moment. So I pretended not to know you.” He smiles, lopsidedly.