Page 65 of Everlasting Vows

“Open your eyes, Abs,” Nix rasps softly, his hot breath ghosting over my kiss-swollen lips. “I want to see you when you fall apart.”

I peel my eyes open and lock my gaze on my husband’s. The lust I see there almost steals what’s left of my oxygen. Our panting breaths kiss with each exhale, and our lips touch with each grind. Soft moans fill the quiet between us, and the rapid thumping of our hearts resonates through our chests.

The connection I share with Nix is beyond comprehension in this moment—it’s a primal bond that I don’t think will ever truly be broken.

He increases the speed and pressure, building the intensity in my core and pushing me ever closer to my release. “I want to see you fall apart with me,” I whisper.

He shakes his head a little, a soft huff puffing over his lips. “Too messy for me.”

“Nuh uh. If I have wet panties, then you can have wet boxers,” I counter.

He shakes his head again and takes my mouth in a scorching kiss that makes me light-headed. His fingers dig into my hips, and he jerks me against him faster and harder. My core tightens and Nix swallows my moan.

“I’m almost there,” he grumbles, then he thrusts his tongue into my mouth like he’d thrust his cock into me if we were naked.

The muscles in my core tighten, and I shatter. Every part of me splinters into a million brilliant pieces. Moments later, Nix’s arms wrap around me impossibly tight as he holds me still, groaning through his own release. He grits his teeth, tensing his jaw as I feel his cock pulse beneath me. I rub my hands across the back of his shoulders, feeling his muscles relax, then bury my face in the crook of his neck, suddenly exhausted.

Nix’s body shakes beneath me, and when I pull away to check if he’s okay, his expression catches me off-guard. The crinkles around his eyes and bracketing his mouth are so damn attractive. I cup the back of his head as my smile grows to match his. His silent laughter turns into soft chuckles, and before I know it, he falls to his side in uncontrollable laughter. He takes me down with him, and I can’t help but start laughing too.

It feels odd.

Unpracticed.

Strange.

But welcome.

Oh, so welcome.

Tears escape, tracing down the side of my temple into my hair, and I don’t want to stop. It feels cathartic after the heaviness of the last couple of months. We used to laugh all the time. Over the most stupid things.

We manage to get ourselves under control, but we don’t move from our prone position on the blanket. Watching each other, our smiles remain. “That wasn’t quite my intention when I planned this trip down memory lane tonight.”

He sounds pleased, even though tonight hasn’t followed his plan. “No? What was your intention?”

He brings his hand up to slide my hair away from my face and adjust my beanie, his eyes never leaving mine. “I wanted to recreate the night I first told you that I loved you.”

My heart bounces around in my chest, and the memory from all those years ago rushes back to the surface. “I remember,” I whisper, pushing the words past the lump of emotion caught in my throat. I cup Nix’s jaw. “I felt like the most special girl in the world that you loved me.”

He scoffs. “I was no prize.”

I lock my eyes on his so he can see my truth. “To me, you were. The best prize I’d ever won. I had no idea what I’d done to garner your attention, but I wanted to hold on to it for as long as it lasted.”

He closes the distance between us and kisses my lips softly. His arms tighten around my body, and I relish the feeling of being held in his embrace after so long without it. “I couldn’t believe you agreed to go on a date with me. I swore then that I’d do everything I could to keep you.”

We smile softly at each other. “How did we get so lost?” I wonder aloud.

“I don’t know. I’m such a fool.”

“Well, if you’re a fool, then so am I.” It’s not just on him; I could have spoken up sooner. I’m not sure why I turned mute over what was happening or how I was feeling. I guess I was caught up in keeping the status quo.

We’re both quiet, sitting with our latest discovery. The sky is a dark indigo, making it easy to see the brightest yellow star in our night sky. Our breaths are visible in the cold night air, and a shiver races up my spine. Now that the high from my orgasm has worn off, the chilled air seeps through my jeans and I shudder. Nix rubs his hands along my leg to create friction, then leans in to kiss the tip of my nose.

“Maybe we should have our dessert in the car where it’s a little warmer,” he suggests.

I nod. “Good idea.”

We untangle ourselves, stealing glances, our smiles soft and genuine as we pack everything up and head back toward Nix’s truck. He cranks up the heat, and we delve into our pastries, which are as delicious as we remember, but terrible for my waistline. I can’t eat stuff like this without repercussions the way I used to.