Adalynn drank the rest of her wine and got up from her chair. “It’s been fun, but I must leave now. The two of you must be seriously jet-lagged, and I have some wedding plans to go over.”

“Have you set a date yet?” I asked as I got up from my chair to walk her out.

“Not yet. That’s what Daniel and I are going to discuss as soon as he gets home.”

She walked over to Ian and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re a smart man, Mr. Braxton, and thank you for bringing her home.” She winked as she looked at me and gave me a light hug.

“You should be thanking her because I thought she’d tell me to fuck off and I’d be coming home alone.”

Adalynn turned around and smiled at him before walking out the door. I sat down on Ian’s lap and wrapped my arms around him.

“You look tired, sweetheart,” he said as he stroked my cheek.

“I am. I’m exhausted.”

“Then let’s go to bed. As much as I want to finish what we started earlier, you need your rest.”

I pouted as I put my forehead against his. “You’re right, but there will be plenty of time for rest after you make love to me.”

The corners of his mouth curved upwards before his lips brushed against mine. “You’re so sexy and you’re all mine.”

“I was always yours,” I whispered as our kiss became passionate.

He lifted me off his lap and then picked me up and carried me to the bedroom. He set me down on the bed and took down his pajama bottoms as I lifted off my shirt. I ran my hand up and down his hard shaft and a low moan came from deep inside him. He lifted me from the bed and slowly took down my pants. His mouth crashed into mine, pushing me back on the bed as he hovered over me while plunging his finger inside me.

“I want and need you so bad, Rory.”

“I want you so bad too, Ian.”

He growled as he inserted another finger, making sure I was ready for him. “You’re so deliciously wet, sweetheart, and I need to taste you.”

He removed his fingers as his tongue slid down my torso and to my aching clit. He wrapped his fingers around my wrists and lifted my arms above my head. A soft moan escaped my lips as he worked his tongue around my swollen area, which was begging for him to take me. I wrapped my legs around his neck as he continued to pleasure me, causing my body to tighten as he brought me to orgasm. As my body released itself, he let out a moan and released my wrists, taking my hardened nipples between his fingers.

“I need to fuck you right now. There’s no more waiting. I need to be inside you,” he whispered before crashing his mouth into mine.

The sensation going through my body was electrifying when I felt him push inside me. Every time we made love, the connection between us grew stronger. We were no longer two people; we were one.

Ian

I stroked her hair softly as she lay in my arms. It felt good to hold her, and it felt more than right to have her in my bed. I needed her more than I would admit, and the pain it caused us both was more pain than I’d ever known in my whole life. Her scent was now embedded in my bed and this was where she belonged; not in the room down the hall or even in the room next door. But here, in my bed, where I could love her for the rest of my life. Now that we were back in Malibu, back to reality, there were going to be some issues we’d have to deal with, one of them being Richard.

I couldn’t help but run my finger lightly across her cheek. She opened her eyes and looked at me with a smile on her face.

“Good morning,” she whispered.

“Good morning. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

“You didn’t, and I wouldn’t mind if you did. How long have you been awake?” she asked.

“About a half hour. I just laid here and couldn’t help but stare at you.”

Her smile grew wider as she lifted her head and softly kissed my lips. “I love you.”

“I love you more, sweetheart. Are you up for a run?” I asked.

“Yes. I miss our runs along the beach,” she said.

We climbed out of bed and threw on our running clothes before heading downstairs to see Charles. I could smell the fresh blueberry muffins Charles had made and they were making my mouth water.

“Stop salivating, Ian. You can have one when we get back.” Rory smiled.

She already knew me way too well. When we walked into the kitchen, Rory walked over to Charles and gave him a hug.

“Charles, it’s good to see you, friend. Miss Sinclair will be moving in permanently, so you are to accommodate her and her requests.”

“Welcome home, Rory. It’s good to see you.” Charles smiled.

“Thank you, Charles. It’s good to see you too,” she replied.

I walked over to the counter by the stove where Charles had the blueberry muffins cooling. Just as I picked up one, Rory walked over and took it out of my hand.

“Hey! What are you doing?” I asked.

“You can wait to eat that when we get back.” She smiled. “It will give you something to look forward to.”

I placed my hands on her hips as I kissed her nose. “I’m already looking forward to something else.”

“Me too! So we better get running so we can hurry up and get back.” She winked.

“Damn you, woman. You’ve already started getting—”

Rory put her hand over my mouth and whispered in my ear, “Not in front of Charles.”

I kissed her head and ran out the door. She followed behind me, laughing. We ran down along the shoreline and kept our usual steady pace. I looked over at her and smiled.

“What?” she asked as she caught up to me.

“Nothing. I was just thinking about how this is our first run together in Malibu as a couple.”

“Yes, it is. Do you like it?” she asked.

“I love it, Rory, and there’s something I need to tell you.”

I didn’t want to tell her, but she’d eventually find out and she’d be pissed. So I thought it better to come clean now. She had a look of worry on her face as she stopped.

“What is it?”

“Keep running, sweetheart. It’s nothing bad. It’s just something I did that I think you should know about.”

“Ian, just tell me,” she said as she started jogging again.

I took in a deep breath. “I bought the building that was the bakery and your apartment and I called in a favor to a friend of mine that works for the city and had him put the note on your door.”

“You did what? Why the hell would you do that, Ian?” she asked as she stopped behind me.

This was the hardest part for me. I could no longer just tell her because I could. I owed her an explanation because she was my girlfriend and simple little answers wouldn’t work anymore. I ran my hands through my hair as I turned around and stood a few feet in front of her. She had her hands on her hips and her head cocked, waiting for my answer.

“I did it because I hated you living in that tiny little room. I wanted you at my house, and if I would’ve asked you to move back, you would’ve said no.”

“So you just lied to me?”

“I didn’t lie, I don’t think. I just didn’t tell you,” I said as I walked closer to her.

“No, Ian. I think that classifies as a lie.”

“Sweetheart, listen to me. I wanted you with me, in my house, where I could keep you safe. I wanted to save you from your nightmares, and I wanted you in my arms at night. At that time, it was the only way to get you back home.” I smiled as I held her face and lightly kissed her lips.

“Since you’re so free with telling me things, I have some questions that I want answers to, and I feel like you owe me since you lied to me.”

“Rory, I didn’t lie to you. But I will answer any questions you have.” I smiled as I kissed her again.

“The blonde you took to the gala; did you bring her home and fuck her that night?”

I couldn’t believe she asked me that. It obviously was bothering her, and I wasn’t going to lie. I wasn’t starting off our relationship on a lie.