CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: Love

Snuggling deeper into his arms, her mind races as her body relaxes. She feels incredible. Connected with him in a way she never thought possible. She feels like she's discovered a secret side to herself, one she had no idea existed. She's in love with him. She never really thought she was capable of falling in love. Every girly dream, every hidden fantasy of playing house, every needy part of her that she's ruthlessly suppressed fights to be free. She wants to tell him. She needs to tell him.

She's terrified. What if he doesn't feel the same way?

God, she misses her mom right now. Closing her eyes, she thinks back to when she was a teenager. She distinctly remembers a conversation she had with her mom. She'd just been dumped by her first boyfriend and thought the world was ending. Her mom had been there, dispensing hugs and advice. She'd told her that boys would come and go, but real love was hard to find because love wasn't just an emotion. It was an action. When you truly loved someone you showed it in many different ways. She'd told her to keep the faith, that there was someone who was perfect for her out there and that she'd probably have a lot of boyfriends before she found him. But that she had some growing up to do first. When the time was right, he'd come into her life. She might not even realize it at first, but one day, she'd know. There'd come a point when she'd just know. And all of the uncertainty would fade away.

She didn't realize the wisdom of what her mom was saying at the time, thinking it didn't make any sense. Now she realizes just how prescient her mom's words were. And how much she wishes she could talk to her, tell her she's found him. And that she was right.

Lying cuddled in Rick's arms, she finally understands. She misses her mom so much. Wants so badly for her to know Rick. But she knows that her mom would be happy for her. That talk from so long ago settles Kate. Her mom was right. She knows.

"Kate?" he asks, the husky rumble of his voice sends shivers down her spine. "Are you okay?"

Turning in his arms so she can look at him, she smiles, the radiant look on her face stunning him. She's so beautiful. Hair tousled, face relaxed, his heart skips, and he's falling for her all over again. When she smiles at him like that he feels invincible. Seeing something new in her eyes, his breath catches, stunned. She looks so…open. So free.

Eyes locked with his, she drinks in his appearance, still flushed from their activities, his familiar face so dear to her. Reaching up, she traces his brow with her finger, feeling the familiar planes of his face before cupping his cheek and jaw in her hand, tenderness in every gesture, every touch.

"I've never been better." She responds honestly. Leaning up, she gives him a sweet kiss, intimate and loving. Pulling back, she searches his face, her eyes dancing with his.

"I just figured it out." she hesitates, seeing his brows draw together.

"What?" he asks, a little puzzled by her comment.

"I'm in love with you. I've completely fallen in love with you." Laughing, she reaches in and spontaneously kisses him again, her joy a tangible feeling in the room.

Stunned, he stills, his hands tightening on her hips almost painfully as he searches her face. Tears spring to his eyes as he sees the sincerity, and the love, shining in hers. Pulling her closer, he squeezes her tightly in a bear hug, his large body dwarfing hers before he lets out a big breath and pulls back, his eyes locked on hers. His voice is shaky, filled with emotion that overflows as he tells her.

"God, Kate. I'm so in love with you. I never thought….You…You really love me?"

Eyes tearing up at the sight of this gentle man brought to his knees by her words, she nods, her throat choked closed with emotion. Sealing her mouth to his, she kisses him again, all the pent up emotion binding them closer together than they've ever been before. And then, as is their way, it changes. She lightens the kiss, turning playful once more, her mouth nipping and dancing with his, the joy she's feeling taking over.

Pulling back, laughing now, relieved, delighted, she rolls them over so she's on top, her arms pressing into his chest as she looks down at him, her smile even more brilliant than before. "Yes. Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes. I love you Rick." Punctuating each yes with a kiss, her enthusiasm and playfulness catches hold.

Responding, he brackets her hips with his hands, tickling her ribs and making her giggle while his eyes sparkle with delight. Rolling them back over, he looms over her, his large body pressing into hers in the most delicious way.

"I love you so much, Kate." Wiggling his hips, he settles more securely against her. She feels him hardening against her inner thigh and feels her body responding. They're insatiable.

Eyes locked on his, she picks her moment before she flips them again. "I want to be on top this time," she tells him, a saucy grin on her face.

Looking up at her, he marvels at the sight of her looming over him. She's so gorgeous. And she loves him. Eyes softening, face lighting up, he grins up at her. "Whatever you want. Just say the word."

His eyes rake her body, his knowing, sexy twinkle urging her on. They've gotten so good at this. Her nipples respond to his look, tightening reflexively, as she throws her head back, pushing her tousled hair out of the way and exposing the delicate lines of her throat and collarbones. Holding her hair out of the way with one hand, she braces herself on his chest with her other hand, leaning down so she can kiss him. Heating up quickly, she kisses him again, moaning as she grinds against his erection, feeling him slide along her lips and rubbing against her clit. Toying with him, with herself, she plays like that for a minute before escalating things. Unable to help herself, she rises up, impaling herself on him.

Breaking their kiss, she adjusts her angle until she can feel him hitting that spot deep inside of her that turns her to mush. Letting out a moan of appreciation, she braces a hand behind her for balance and begins moving, undulating softly against him, reveling in the feel of him inside of her, the undulation of her hips, stomach and chest so natural, so sexy. Her golden skin flushing pink, eyes locked on his, she lets everything she feels for him show, her love shining through, her emotions stripped bare before him.

Raising up, Rick pulls pillows behind him to support his back, changing the angle slightly to drive himself deeper into her, connecting more firmly with her, even as his hands reach for her breasts, the urge to touch her too much to resist. Eyes widening in pleasure, she lets out an incoherent little sound of approval, as she watches the soft flush overtake his body, his arousal taking hold and driving them both.

Thrusting gently up into her, he fights for control, the sight of her, the feel of her hot, wet channel clenching him tightly inside of her driving him wild, consuming him. They find a rhythm that has them building towards climax slowly. Each hot little grind and thrust creates a gently growing storm, sweeping them up in its path, driving them into a maelstrom of sensation. They climb towards the peak together, driving each other higher and higher, expressing their love with their bodies, their eyes locked together, openly revealing the deeper emotions they both feel for each other. They've never felt so connected, so cared for, so loved. Wrapped up in each other, nothing else exists but this, them, together.

Reaching, thrusting, straining, Kate feels her climax take over, her whole body clenching, the waves of pleasure going on and on. The feel of him thrusting up into her pulls his name from her in a husky moan as she watches him, letting him see everything she feels for him while she drinks in his love for her. Fingers diving towards her clit, he touches her lightly, knowing how to draw out her pleasure, prolonging her orgasm, driving her up and over again and again.

"I love you." The words flow between them, echoed and repeated as they show each other every way they know how what they mean to each other. Bucking up into her, he lets his body take over, spilling into her, the rhythmic clenching of her muscles milking him. Her name on his lips, he comes, wrapping her in his arms, holding her tightly to him, his love for her overwhelming him.

Collapsing onto his chest, she holds him tightly to her, reveling in the feel of him in her arms. His hands gently cradle her, one on her hip, the other on the soft curve of her ass. He peppers her face with soft kisses, his hands rubbing soothingly along her skin, each touch a whisper on her skin. Gently, tenderly, he cradles her in his arms, every touch, every gesture an affirmation and declaration.

Cuddling into his body, she closes her eyes, content to lie with him like this endlessly. As she slips off into sleep, words, a thought, whisper out, teasing her mind, so soft, so light, she's not sure whether they're real or imagined.

"I'm going to marry you."

They echo in her mind, and his, as sleep claims them.