Chapter 14 Don't Tremble, Mama
Sarah woke up because something felt different. She hadn't been very peaceful after Alex had left her hours ago. There had been a slight thrumming in her body and she'd felt heat pooling between her legs.
The room was quiet, but not empty. She could feel it.
Her eyes opened slowly. The first thing she saw was a shape beside her bed. A tall shape. Still. Watching her keenly.
Her breath caught in her throat.
“Jesus—” she started, sitting up fast.
Had he really come back like he had said he would?
“Hey,” a voice whispered in the shadows. Calm and familiar. “It’s me.”
“Alex?” Her hand flew to her chest. Her heart was racing. “What are you doing in here?”
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said softly. “Lie back.”
She didn’t move. Her eyes searched his face. He was standing there in the dark, his features half-shadowed, his gaze steady on her.
“You can’t just come in here,” she said, though her voice was already losing strength. “What if Mark—”
“He’s asleep,” Alex said. “I checked. Everytime I come to you, Sarah, I make sure no one is disturbed in my coming here.”
She swallowed. “That doesn’t make this okay. You didn't have to come here after you said you'd come.”
He sat on the edge of the bed, slow and deliberate. “You were waiting for me. Even in your sleep.”
“I was not,” she said quickly.
He smiled faintly. “Your body says otherwise everytime I come close to you, Sarah.”
She hated how true that felt.
“Alex,” she whispered. “This is dangerous.”
“So is wanting me and pretending you don’t,” he replied.
She exhaled shakily. “You shouldn’t be here. I keep telling you. You're going to tear my life apart because you won't listen to me.”
“But you didn’t lock your door,” he said. “You never do when you want me.”
Her silence gave her away.
He leaned closer, his voice low. “Look at me.”
She did.
His eyes were dark. Focused. Possessive in a way that made her pulse jump.
“I came because you were restless,” he said. “I felt it.”
“That’s not possible,” she murmured.
“Still true,” he replied.
She shook her head weakly. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love that,” he said.
He reached out, brushing her hair away from her face. His touch was gentle, but certain. Like he knew she would not pull away.
She didn’t.
“You shouldn’t look at me like that,” she whispered.
“Like what?”
“Like you own me.”
His thumb paused against her cheek. “I don’t own you,” he said quietly. “You give yourself to me.”
Her breath hitched.
“That’s different,” he continued. “And you do it every time.”
She closed her eyes. “You’re too sure of yourself.”
“Because you keep proving me right,” he replied.
He leaned down, his forehead resting against hers. She could feel his warmth, his presence filling the space around her.
“I missed you today,” he said.
Her heart softened despite herself. “You saw me.”
“That wasn’t enough.”
She laughed softly, nervous. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Say you want me to leave,” he said. “Say it and I’ll go. I always give you that option.”
Her lips parted.
No words came.
Alex smiled, slow and satisfied.
“That’s what I thought.”
He kissed her then. Not rushed. A deep, claiming kiss that made her forget where she was. Her hands lifted without thought, gripping his shoulders.
She kissed him back.
He pulled away slightly. “Tell me to stop.”
She shook her head. “Don’t.”
That was all he needed.
He lay beside her, drawing her close. His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into him like she belonged there. She fit against him perfectly, her body responding to his in ways she no longer tried to deny.
“You’re shaking,” he murmured.
“So are you,” she replied.
He smiled against her temple. “Because you undo me.”
His lips traced slow paths along her face, her neck. Every touch was intentional. He made her feel seen and deeply desired.
She gasped softly. “Alex… slow down.”
“I am,” he said. “I want you aware of every second and that's why I'm not rushing. Maybe it's your body that's moving fast.”
Her fingers dug into his back. “You drive me crazy.”
“Good,” he said. “I want to be the only thing in your head.”
She closed her eyes. “You already are.”
His breath hitched slightly at that.
He shifted, hovering over her, his gaze holding hers. “You trust me?”
She nodded. “I do.”
“Then let go,” he said. “Just tonight.”
She did.
The world narrowed to the space between them.
Time blurred as he made love to her, pleasuring her in ways she didn't think her body was capable of.
“Don't scream, mama,” he whispered in her ear as his finger found a way into the softness between her thighs, working his fingers up into her vagina.
When she finally relaxed against him, her body heavy and warm, he brushed her hair back gently.
“Sleep,” he said.
She looked at him. “You’re staying?”
“For a while,” he replied. “Until you’re calm.”
She smiled faintly. “You’re trouble.”
“I know,” he said.
Her eyes closed again, her body still humming.
As sleep pulled her under, she felt him press a kiss to her forehead.
“My girl,” he whispered.
And for the first time, she didn’t fight the word.