You’re the Reason, стр. 54
He moved again, hitting the same spot.
My back arched off the bed and my head pressed into the pillow. “Oh, my God, yes.”
His lips quirked, continuing his rhythm, in and out, faster and harder, hitting that spot and making me see stars. My eyes pinched tight. My body’s internal spring began to coil. A rush of sensations twisted up inside of me. I held my breath. And as he thrust into me a few more times, the twisting released, and the sensations rippled out, sending tremors rushing to all parts of my body. I felt a warmth spread over me as my body quivered. This was so much better than what we’d done in my dorm room. Chase continued pounding into me, chasing the euphoria he’d given me. He groaned into my neck as his hips stopped moving and he stilled inside of me, his body going rigid. With his breathing labored, he lifted his head and pressed his forehead to mine. “Holy. Shit,” he breathed.
I chuckled as he lowered himself on top of me. I held his sweaty body to me, enjoying the feel of our breaths working in tandem. This was what I’d waited for. Chase was everything I waited for. He was everything I needed. And everything I wanted.
“You think you want to do that again?” he asked.
“I think I want to do that all the time with you.”
He laughed. “Does that mean I’m forgiven?”
“Depends.”
He lifted his head and rested his chin on my chest. “On what?”
“Are you taking me skydiving?”
His eyes widened.
“Don’t tell me you’re scared.”
He tipped his head. “Do I look scared?”
“You look hot. And, I’m kind of wondering when we’re gonna get to use your handcuffs.”
He dropped back his head and laughter tumbled out of him. And when he laughed like that, I knew this thing with us was meant to be. And no matter how difficult a road it had been getting to this place, there was nowhere else in the world I’d rather be.
EPILOGUE
Two Years Later
Chase
I stood in the doorway of our bedroom, watching Sophia fixing herself in the mirror. Her hair hung in loose curls past her shoulders, her black graduation cap fixed in place on her head. The normally unflattering gown did nothing to detract from how fucking beautiful she was. I couldn’t help beaming with pride as I drank her in, knowing how lucky I was she’d chosen me—even after how difficult I’d made things in the beginning.
After Chantel’s trial, we decided there was no better way to celebrate the verdict than to move in together. The judge showed no leniency, finding Chantel guilty of concealing an accidental death, as well as blackmailing and causing duress to Valerie. He sentenced her to two years in prison—the severest punishment for the crimes she could get. And, the icing on the whole fucking cake was Chantel’s father was disbarred for aiding in the cover-up and not disclosing his knowledge of the accident. The piece of shit deserved to suffer right along with his over-privileged daughter.
“Hey,” Sophia said, spotting me in the doorway in my suit.
I knew I’d sweat my ass off in a dark suit at the outdoor ceremony, but I also knew it fit the momentous occasion. “You almost ready?” I asked. “You look amazing by the way.”
She laughed. “Thanks.”
I walked over and wrapped my arms around her, careful not wrinkle her gown or bump her cap that seemed to be fixed in place by too many hair pins. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Stop trying to make me cry,” she said.
I stepped back releasing her from my arms. “What’s that?” I asked, my gaze on something behind her.
She turned, following my gaze to the tall dresser in the corner of our room.
The MVP trophy she received after her soccer championship win stood proudly on top of it. My girl kicked some serious ass on a soccer field. I guess I should’ve known she would. From our first meeting, when she was drunk as all get out, she still put my ass in its place. So many nights after, I replayed that exchange in my head wanting to hate her for making me feel anything toward her. And so many days after, I tried getting the same reaction out of her. Because if she hated me, I couldn’t fall for her. Right?
“What?” she asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Your mason jar. It looks like something’s in it.”
She squinted at the jar that sat beside her trophy, noticing I was right. There was something inside it. “What is it? We did everything.”
I walked over and picked up the jar, examining the contents. “There’s one more paper.”
“There can’t be.”
She was right. We had done every last thing in that jar, but I handed it to her anyway. “Hurry up. We still have time before you graduate.”
She unfastened the top of the jar and reached inside.
My heartbeat began to gallop like a fucking race horse.
Her fingers snatched the folded-up sheet of paper that looked like all the rest had in the bottom of the jar. She looked to me.
I nodded my encouragement.
She unfolded the paper and read it aloud. “Marry Chase Shaw.” Her eyes flashed up—make that down—to me now kneeling in front of her.
She gasped like I knew she would.
Man, I loved that sound.
“That’s my wish, Soph,” I said. “I’ve helped make your wishes come true, now I’m hoping you help make one of my wishes come true.”
Tears glazed her eyes as she gazed down at me, staring at me with so much love—love I