“Blake, we could do this all night. But the guilt? It’s so thick we’d never get through it. Is it possible just to forgive each other and move on?”

“I don’t deserve you or your forgiveness.”

“Bullshit. We were made for this moment, Blake. Everything that led us to this here, right now, is what makes us who we are. I forgive you. But will you ever forgive yourself?”

“I want to. I’m so sick of looking back.” I run my nose along hers. “Where do we go from here, Mouse?” I whisper against her skin.

Her eyes flutter shut. “Forward. One day at a time.”

“Together?”

“Always.” Her lips part.

Fuck, I’ve missed those lips. “Mouse, can I kiss you now?”

“I wish you would.”

Our mouths come together, unhurried. As much as I’d kill to use my tongue and teeth, to drain every ounce of taste from her mouth, I keep it light. My lips work against hers in deliberate, wet strokes. The weight of her head drops to the side, and she opens up to me. I moan against the sweet cinnamon that teases my senses as I reacquaint myself with her kiss.

I slide my hand up her spine, pressing her to me until the full swells of her breasts are flush with my chest. My pulse is racing. I flex my hips, the friction from my jeans a bold contrast to the softness of her body.

She grips my biceps and pushes up on her toes, dragging her soft, petite frame against the length of mine. Fuck yeah.

Nothing in life has ever felt this right.

This isn’t what I’d planned, but my body, hell my soul, can’t wait another second. I walk her back a few steps until she’s pressed against the wall. She moans deep into my mouth and hooks one leg around my thigh.

Cupping her ass, my palm meets bare skin. I run my finger along the strip of thong that disappears between her cheeks. “I need you.” I coax her higher. The heat from between her legs sears me through my jeans.

She wiggles impatiently and grinds down her hips in request. So damn hot.

“I can’t wait.” She hops up, and I support her weight as she wraps her legs around me, pushing the tight fabric of her dress up around her waist.

My face buried in her neck, I alternate running my nose and my lips along her neck, tasting and breathing in the delicate skin I thought I’d lost. My blood pounds with the urgency to get inside her. She flexes and releases her hips, once, twice…

Separated by only my jeans and a tiny strip of lace, it’d be so easy to take her like this. “Mouse, I want you. But here?”

She digs her heels into my lower back with a whimper. “Yes, here. Now.”

I pull back and meet her eyes. They’re intense and steady. The deep brown burns into mine, pleading with me not to let her go. “I’d do anything for you.”

She drops her head, inviting me back to the tender contours of her throat. So slender, and fragile.

A tremor of shame racks my body. I lean in with a gentle brush of my mouth, hoping to find redemption while I soothe the spot where I’d inflicted pain. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper against her neck and kiss a path to her lips.

“No more apologies.” Her hands grip my head, holding me close. “Kiss me.”

Our mouths crash together. Her nails bite into my shoulders as she pulls me closer. I fist my hands in her hair, unable to hold back my fierce show of possession. She arches her back against the wall, rubbing her hot little body against the straining bulge in my pants. I’ve never had a problem holding back my release, but she’s making it impossible.

I tug down a strap of her dress. The heat of a bare breast hits my hand. No bra. “Damn, sweetheart.” I lean down and feed myself one pink nipple, pulling it deep until she’s writhing in my arms.

She works herself against me, finding her own pleasure. So different from the woman who only a month ago was afraid to let go. Pride swells in my chest.

I slide my hand between us to pop the buttons of my jeans. I free my dick and press it against the heat of her wet panties.

“Blake, oh…” Her breath hitches as I move myself against her.

“What is it, Mouse?” I drop her other strap and suck her neglected breast into my mouth, pulling the pebbled flesh behind my teeth.

“More.” She groans and runs her nails along my skin.

Goosebumps race from my scalp to the floor, igniting my need to feel her. I slip my fingers beneath her panties. Fucking hell. I bite my lip, but it does nothing to muffle the growl that rumbles in my throat. She’s ready.

I want to sink myself so deep inside her that nothing can ever come between us again. Lose myself within her so all our mistakes disappear and all that remains is us. “Are you sure?”

She pulls back. Her face is flushed, lips parted, and she looks up at me from beneath her eyelashes. “For the first time in my life, I’m sure. I love you, Blake.”

Her words rocket through me with a burst of adrenaline. “I love you, Mouse.” I bury myself inside her in one thrust.

“Yes.” She cries out against my lips and her nails bite into my shoulders.

Holding her by her ass, I wait for her to adjust. She squirms in my hands.

“Easy, baby. I’ve been waiting too long for this. I want to take my time.”

She whimpers and rolls her hips. “It’s only been five days.”

“Feels like a lifetime.” I pull out slowly and push back with the same pace. My lips trace her collarbone.

“Please, Blake.”

“Shh.” I dig my fingers into the supple flesh of her ass. “Hold on tight.”

Her arms constrict around my shoulders. It’s then that I realize that being wrapped up in my woman is the only place I want to be. Music, fighting… nothing comes close.

Leveraging her back against the wall, she meets my every thrust. Unafraid and confident. And absolutely fucking perfect.

My hand skates up the gentle curve of her hip to her breasts. I roll her nipple between my finger and thumb.

“Blake, yes…”

I had no idea this is what making love would be like. It doesn’t have to be slow and sensual, on a bed or surrounded by candlelight. Making love isn’t about the where or how, it’s about feelings. Even in a dirty room backstage at a club, up against a wall, this is making love.

The pressure of my release coils low and at the ready. What started as soft moans drifting from her lips has now turned to staccato breath. I shift my position to a better angle. Her hand releases me and flies to the wall above her head.

My hips pin hers in place while her back bows. I watch with fascination as our bodies move together in rhythm. Her breasts are pink from my mouth and dance before my eyes with every wave of my hips. My head swims at the overload of stimulation. The visual of her combines with the way her body grips mine in a relentless hold. Visions of our future together, making love every night and falling asleep wrapped up in her naked body. My stomach constricts, shooting bolts of euphoria to my dick. On pure instinct, I pull her bottom lip with my teeth and bite. And with that, we both ignite.

Warmth explodes in my gut, shooting down my limbs. I groan with her lip in my mouth and feel her cry of release in my throat. Her legs convulse around my waist, constricting tight before her body goes limp. I suckle at her lips, hoping I didn’t hurt her with my teeth.

“Fuck, Mouse. I felt that shit in my chest.”

Our bodies throb at our connection, recovering slowly from our simultaneous orgasm.

I’m panting, breathing in deep the scent of her hair and sweat-dampened skin. “Holy shit. We’re so damn good together.”

She laughs, but it’s half-hearted as she fights to catch her breath.

“Shit, I’d put you down, but I can’t move.”

Her limbs tighten around me. “No, don’t put me down. I like where I am.”

I nod and lean into her, sandwiching her between the wall and me. The weight seems to help, and she relaxes against me.

“Let me take you home,” I whisper against her shoulder.

“Whose home?”

I lean back to meet her eyes. “Our home.”

Her eyes grow wide, and she raises her brows. She rests her palms against my chest. “Blake, I—”

“Living together, that’s it. I know it’s fast, and you’re in the process of getting a divorce, but—”

She unhooks her legs from my waist. I pull out and instantly miss the heat of her body. Holding her close, I give her time to find her legs before I settle her back to standing.

“I don’t know what to say, I mean, are you sure you’re ready for that?”

I shrug, and smile. “I’ve never been more ready. Living the last five days without you and Axelle. I can’t imagine going another day. Please, don’t deny me my girls.”

She blinks. “You said that night that you wanted Axelle, that you claim her. Did you mean—”

“Every word. I know I’m not Axelle’s biological father, but is it possible that, on some level, I was meant to be?”

Her gaze shifts from me to the floor.

I don’t blame her for not believing me. “Look, I know my promises don’t mean shit anymore, but I’ll earn your—”

Her eyes dart to mine. “Your promises mean everything.”

Cupping her jaw, I tilt her face up to see tears shining in her eyes. “I want the chance to make you happy. To keep you safe. I can be the man you need. Give me the chance to show you?”

She swallows a shaky breath. “On one condition.” A hint of smile tugs at her lips. “You let me do the same for you.”

“Not sure I need your protection.” I drop a kiss to the tip of her nose.

“I know it sounds silly. But, everyone needs someone fighting in their corner, Blake. I’ve never had that, and neither have you. You own my heart and everything that comes with it.”