WARNING: Not an appropriate chapter to be reading around children or at work.

Chapter 19

Seth awoke with a start. Eyes wide, he sat up, glanced around the room and sighed in relief as he turned to find Amber sleeping soundly next to him. Thank God! It seemed now that every time he closed his eyes, he'd dreamed about that damn phone call. He could all but hear the desperation and pain in her voice echoing through his head. How in the hell was he ever going to shake that memory or worse yet, the horrible feelings of guilt and loss that came with it?

He shifted onto his side and and stared down at her. The moment she was in his arms, he'd instantly felt better, but she'd looked so pale and frightened. He hated knowing he'd been the one to cause those feelings. Being the good friends they were, Lexi and Roman gave him and Amber the space they needed and they'd spent the better part of the evening simply talking with her also doing quite a bit of crying. Those tears ripped at him, leaving him just as wounded and raw as she was. He felt terrible for what he'd done to her, what the team had done to her, but maybe in some small way, Lexi had been right.

Amber had needed to hit rock bottom in order for her to reach out for help. The fact that he'd been the one she called in that desperate moment told him he hadn't lost her. She loved him and he'd never break that love and trust again. Despite his guilt over the situation he knew the only thing that mattered now was making sure to give her all the support she needed in whatever capacity he could.

Unable to resist the urge to touch her, Seth reached down and stroked a knuckle along her cheek. My Amber. My beautiful Amber. Even with that funky hair, he still saw her as the most beautiful creature to walk the earth. He wanted her, needed her in ways he'd never imagined possible. She filled the empty void in his heart he hadn't known existed until she walked into his life. In essence, she completed him and if she'd somehow managed to succeed in her suicide attempt he knew he would have never been whole again.

Her eyes fluttered open and she stared dreamily up at him. "Seth? Is something wrong?"

"No." He shook his head as he choked back the emotions threatening to pour from within. "Nothing's wrong."

"What are you doing?"

He managed a small grin. "Just thanking my lucky stars while I watch you sleep."

She returned his smile as she reached for him now. "I missed sleeping in your arms. I didn't realize it until you weren't there anymore, but I sleep better when I'm in your arms."

Her admission warmed his heart and had him lowering his head to her her now to swipe a soft kiss across her lips. "I missed having you in my arms." He nibbled on her bottom lip. "I missed waking up with you pressed against me." Then he trailed his kisses along her jaw to the sweet spot just below her ear. "I missed making love to you."

"Well," she whispered as her fingers curled into his back. "How about we refresh your memory?"

He grinned against her neck. "I like that idea."

Within seconds he'd stripped her naked then simply took a moment to enjoy the view. While she had the body of an athlete, at the moment it was a bit on the thin side. More evidence of the emotional roller coaster she'd ridden over the past few months. Thankfully, it was something easily remedied.

Yet, despite the lack of nutrition, her breasts remained full and perky with lovely rose colored nipples that tightened into sensitive points when arouse. His mouth watered to taste those tempting little buds. He lowered his head and sucked one succulent peak between his lips. Her gasp of shock tore through the silence as she cradled his head in her arm. Taking his time he nibble, sucked and all but tortured her body to respond, until he felt her nipple tighten against his tongue.

Yeah baby, that's it.

He shifted over her and worked the other peak until it too succumb to his ministrations and Amber moaned with need. As his own desire built upon itself, he began inching his way down her body, planting soft, open mouth kisses against her ribs, her stomach and abdomen.

As he reached her mound he took a moment to press his lips above it, close his eyes and dream of the day when she'd be round with his child. After watching Roman and Lexi navigate the treacherous waters of pregnancy and holding Alea in his arms he desperately wanted a child of his own. He wanted one with Amber.

It's too soon. Logic reminded him. She had issues that needed addressing first. Still, the knowledge that neither of them was ready and she was probably still on birth control, didn't extinguish the need rising inside him.

Slowly, he stripped off her panties and watched with a humbling joy as she parted her legs for him. Her aromatic essence drifted toward him as he lowered himself between her splayed thighs. He'd missed the taste of her, the way she grew wetter whenever he touched her and the sweet sound of his name tumbling from her lips when she cried out in passion.

The first swipe of his tongue through her folds left him wanting more and parched like a man in a desert, he drank from her. Above him she whimpered and writhed, gasped and shook until her hand grasped his head and her fingers laced through his riot of hair.

Yes, baby. Come for me!

He worked her harder, slipped two fingers into her tight channel. Then demanded even more, until her fingers tightened against his scalp and she pulse against his tongue. His name tore from her lips, the sound not much louder than a whisper against the air, yet it landed on him like a cacophony of noise he'd desperately needed to hear.

Before her climax completely wore away, he stripped off his boxers, inched up her body and positioned himself at her opening. She stared up at him, those passion filled eyes, begging him for more. He watched her now as he gently breached her entrance. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened on a silent cry as she held his gaze. A feeling of rightness fell over him as he made them one and one word filled his passion filled mind.

Home!

This was where he belonged. "Marry me, Amber." The words tumbled from his lips in the same manner water streamed over a mountain fall.

Her eyes widened, shock dancing through those beautiful green irises. "What?"

He grinned now as he realized just how off guard his proposal caught her. Ever since Roman and Lexi's wedding, he'd been toying with the idea of proposing. He'd even managed to buy her a ring without her knowledge, but there had never seemed to be a right time. Then with everything that happened he'd thought he'd lost the chance.

This, he realize...this was the moment. It just felt right. He leaned down, pressed his chest to hers and swiped a gentle kiss across her lips as his emotions welled. "I love you, Amber," he began as he let those emotions flow from him. He needed her to see, to hear, to feel everything he saw, heard and felt. He desperately needed her to say yes. "I never want you to doubt that fact. I never want you to think you're alone again. It wasn't until I didn't have you anymore that I realized how much I missed you or how much you complete me. I need you. Will you marry me?"

He waited for what felt like an eternity before a slow grin finally tipped her lips and she nodded. "Yes, I will marry you." She lifted a hand and stroked it along the side of his face. "I love you so much, Colby. I didn't realize it until we were apart, but you really are my soul mate."

Hearing her use his real name helped to erase some the horrible guilt and despair he'd carried since her phone call. He grinned now as he slid nearly all the way out of her, then thrust home a second time. Heaven. That's the only word he could think of to describe how he was feeling in that moment. Like he was in heaven. "I have a ring for you already," he said as he began a slow in and out glide between their bodies. "It's in the suitcase, I'll get it for you."

Her hands slid down his back, her fingers dancing along his hips until could feel them digging into his ass, holding him tight. "When we're done," she ordered. "The ring can wait. I can't."

He chuckled at her statement and the newly lit fire in her eyes. A fire he realized, that burned only for him. "Insatiable little wench."

"Yes, but you love me that way," she shot back on a wry grin.

He moved above her, placed her legs against his shoulders, shifting his angle of entry and drove back in. His grin widened as her eyes drifted closed on a gasp. "You're right, I do."