Page 48 of Forever my Love

Hailey wanted to hear the entire story, but the dinner wasn’t that long. Still, she got enough of the story to tell that the couple had endured the wrath of his parents for the first few years of marriage. It was only after their oldest child was born that they were finally accepted. After their second child was born, Carl Sr. let his son take over the family business.

In the past four years, the son had proven to his parents that he had a head for business. Tickets had sold out weeks before. This fight was going to be a success, no matter the outcome.

Somehow, knowing this, Hailey felt more at ease. Sure, she wanted Reece to win. She supposed it was an ego thing. Her ego, not his. He was seeming to have fun no matter what. The way he looked at the entire ordeal as an adventure made her fall even harder for him.

If he had taken everything too seriously, she would have wondered what he would be like in other stressful scenarios.

When they left the restaurant, there was no limo waiting for them. Everyone headed out in different directions. Reece pulled out his phone and got them a ride back to their hotel.

“That was a night,” Reece said with a sigh when they were in the backseat of the car heading towards the Aria. “I’m really sorry that our date got hijacked.”

“It’s okay, I enjoyed it anyway.” She leaned into his shoulder. She’d drunk enough fancy drinks that she was feeling buzzed.

Being with him was somehow magical. She felt like a fairytale princess who had just met her Prince Charming.

Then again, the entire world was spinning at this point.

“We’re here,” Reece said softly, and she suddenly realized the car had stopped moving.

He helped her out of the car and they made their way through the lobby. They were stopped a few times by guests that recognized him. This time, instead of stopping to take photos, he politely told them he had to get to his room to rest up for the big fight.

Once they were in the elevator alone, Reece pulled her into his arms.

“Just how buzzed are you?” he asked into her hair.

“Just enough that it feels like we’re floating. You?”

“I drank water all night,” he said, surprising her.

“You did not.” She slapped at his shoulder and missed, causing him to chuckle.

“I think a glass of water will help the headache in the morning,” he said, helping her out of the elevator.

She sat down on the edge of their bed and he handed her a large glass of ice water, which she drank it down quickly.

“Better?” he asked, sitting beside her and taking the empty glass.

“I’m not thirsty for water anymore,” she purred. She hiked up her skirt and straddled him, then kissed him until she felt dizzy again.

“Hailey, I’m trying to convince myself that you’re not too drunk,” he whispered while she nibbled on his ear.

“I am too drunk, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what I want.” She leaned back and looked into his caramel-colored eyes. God, he was so sexy. Sexier than any man she’d ever imagined being with. Not that she’d spent much time imagining it. Until he’d come along, she hadn’t wanted any other man. “And I know one thing for sure—I want you. Now.” She kissed him. “Drunk or not, I need you.” She kissed him again until she felt him cave to her demands.

Being with him was a feeling she wanted to hold onto forever.

“Don’t ever let go,” she told him as his arms wrapped around her hips.

“I love the feel of you,” he said as his hands slipped up her hips and around her back to squeeze her butt.

She groaned and inched closer to him until she was pressed tight against him. There had been a time in her life when she had feared men because of what one of them had done to her all those years ago for several horrible hours.

With Reece, none of those memories played in her mind. Only good things circled her thoughts as he touched her, kissed her, pleased her.

He made her body respond like it never had before. Bumps rose all over her body when his mouth moved over her skin and when his tongue dipped into her. She couldn’t stop herself from shouting his name as he filled her.

While they lay in the massive bed, wrapped around one another, she shifted until she could look down at him.

“I’ve never said this to a man before,” she started. His hand moved to her bare hip and stilled as he looked up at her with curiosity in his eyes. “I am so thankful you know how to make me scream your name,” she finished with a smile.

He laughed. “I like it. I think I could spend forever hearing it.” He pulled her back down and hugged her. “I’m sorry about our date being ruined.”

“It wasn’t. It was the most perfect date I could have ever asked for. I got to meet a Lord, one of your heroes, and a mobster.” She chuckled. “How many other women can say the same for their first date?”

“You are amazing.” He shifted until they were side by side and looking at one another. “You have this childlike outlook on everything. Every new experience is like finding a gold nugget, no matter if it’s good or bad.”

“Life is much better than it used to be,” she said as he brushed a strand of her hair. “Finding you was the best thing to happen in my life.”

His hand stilled. “I feel the same.” He leaned in and kissed her.

She wanted to tell him more of her feelings but was afraid it was too soon. She didn’t know the etiquette of relationships. Didn’t know what the rules were. She’d never dated anyone before.

Sure, she’d watched plenty of television shows in the past few years that depicted how couples admitted their feelings. Right now, none of the advice she’d gained from reruns seemed to fit the situation. So she remained quiet and drifted off to sleep in his arms.

Her dreams were filled with the perfect life she never thought she’d have. The one she never knew she wanted. Life filled with Reece, Ali, Robin, Nick, her nieces and nephews, and children of her own.

Someday she just knew that life was going to come. Someday.