I pressed one last kiss to the damp skin of her back as the ringing finally subsided in my ears.
“You don’t think they can really see?” Oaklyn asked between her heavy breathing.
Laughing, I pulled out of her and groaned. “Probably not. But it’s fun to imagine they can. You seem to come harder then.”2
Her hair breezed across my face when she whipped her head around to playfully glare at me. “I do not.”
“Okay,” I said, doubt heavy in my tone. “Now, come on. We’re going to be late.” I slapped her ass and then moved to the bathroom to get a washcloth.
“And who’s fault is that?” she asked, stomping in naked, her dress in hand.
I turned with a wet washcloth and wiped it between her legs, eliciting a sharp inhale. “Yours for coming out in that dress. Practically begged me to fuck you.”
I tossed the cloth to the side and placed a quick kiss to her lips.
“Now get dressed.”
“I already was dressed before you pulled it off me,” she said to my retreating back.
I waved my hand but continued to the sitting room of our hotel. Our suitcases still sat unpacked by the door, having just got in a few hours ago. It was hard to believe that twenty-four hours ago I was watching the love of my life walk across the stage to collect her diploma.
I’d sat in my academic regalia and kept my cheering to a minimum because she’d asked me not to stand and cheer like I’d wanted to. We were always safe with our relationship over the years, even after she was no longer my student. Although, we continued to keep a low profile, not wanting to draw attention. Some people noticed in her junior year, but since there were no rules about a professor dating a student of the college, nothing happened beyond a few judgmental stares.
But we’d survived over three years, and I could do whatever I wanted with her. Including fuck her in a high-rise hotel in front of the glass. I’d respected her wishes to keep my love for her to a minimum in public, but now all bets were off.
“Do you think you can keep it in your pants, Dr. Pierce?”
Oaklyn’s arms slipped around my waist from behind and spread her palms across my chest. My own hand reached up to touch the diamond glittering on her finger.
“I can try, but we may need to meet up in the restroom later.”
She laughed, moving around to my front and staring at the white-gold band shining bright against my black suit jacket. I’d asked her at almost midnight last night, after ravaging her, a sheet wrapped around her body as she dug into takeout from Waffle House.
She’d made me happier than I’d been in the past three years when she’d nodded her head, tears running down her cheeks. Joy swelled so big inside me, filling every tiny space, I was sure I’d burst from it. Then I’d laid her out and made love to my fiancée until we’d passed out for a few hours before our flight to California.
“I think you can make it through dinner with your parents without a quickie in the bathroom.”
“I guess I can try for you,” I said before leaning down to kiss her.
We almost got lost in the kiss again, but she pulled back. “No, Dr. Pierce. We have reservations we need to keep.”
“Fine,” I grumbled.
She smiled up at me, my whole world in her eyes. “I love you,” she said softly.
“I love you too.” I had to swallow past the lump in my throat. She made me feel so much, so much happiness, that when the darkness came, it didn’t put a dent in who I was. “Thank you for your patience and loving me regardless of the mess I was.”
Oaklyn had been more than patient. She’d wanted me at my worst and waited for me to become my best. And I had. For her, I had continued therapy and truly gained a solid foundation to move forward with my future. Some days were still hard, but never as hard as when I was alone.
She sat with me in the dark and loved me through it.3
I would spend the rest of my life loving her, and I was sure it would never be enough. But I’d die trying. Hopefully when we were both old and gray, with a full life behind us.
“Always.” One more soft kiss before her fingers linked with mine and led me to the door. “Now come on. I’m ready to show off this beautiful ring to your mom and dad.”
“Are you sure no bathroom sex?” I teased.
“Maybe if you’re good we can sneak up to the rooftop garden tonight, and I’ll let you make love to me under the stars.”
