28

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ISABELLA

Of course. I feel blood rush to my cheek when I realize what day it is: our monthly anniversary. It might not be an insane milestone, but knowing Miles, he'll make it feel just as special.

We ride the elevator the rest of the way and right before the doors open, he covers my eyes with his hands. "Miles!" I try to pry his hands away, but he doesn't budge. If I see what's up here, I can see if my guess is right.

"Just keep your eyes closed." He nudges me forward, so I walk.

I hear keys jingling. Suddenly, a warmth engulfs me, wrapping around my bare arms like a blanket. I can't help the laughter from bubbling out of me.

"How much longer?"

Miles' lips graze the back of my ear. "Patience," he demands, and I oblige.

A moment later he asks if I'm ready. Smiling uncontrollably, I nod my head. "I'm ready."

His hands leave my eyes and I blink until they adjust to the light. When I can finally see clearly, my breathing stops.

"Oh my gosh." My feet instantly start moving around the dimly lit greenhouse. Flowers decorate the space, vines cling to the white beams, and a low hum from the heaters fills my ears along with the faint sound of my heels clicking against the concrete.

I take my time exploring each nook. I find a makeshift bed littered with pillows. Fake candles glow a faint orange; it looks like a scene from a movie. I turn toward Miles. "This place has been on the roof the entire time I've lived here, and I never knew?"

"It's the build owner's private greenhouse; I asked if I could borrow the keys for the night." He dangles them. "I know we've only been dating for a couple of months, but I wanted to do something special for you."

I walk toward him, throwing my arms around his shoulders. He presses his nose against mine, but I have different plans. I kiss his lips gently. "Miles, this is so kind of you, thank you."

He guides me to the blankets. Before we sit, he unbuttons his tux jacket. I watch his fingers make their every move. He tosses his jacket on the ground and takes off his bowtie.

I know he's taking these off because of how muggy it is in here, but I can't help but feel like this will lead to something more. The only thing I have to take off is my dress, and I can't do that alone.

"I have something else." He reaches behind a potted plant, materializing a small cooler that I didn't even see. It's so random, it makes me chuckle.

"You really thought of everything."

"Of course, I did. I'm me." He winks, prying open the wine bottle. He pours us both a generous glass and we sit in comfortable silence, sipping the cool liquid.

A bead of sweat rolls down my face. Miles thumb instinctually reaches forward to wipe it away. It wasn't supposed to be sensual, but somehow, it was.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"
"Hmm," I ponder, "I think once or twice. Did I tell you how handsome you look tonight?"

"You did." He nods, taking my wine glass from my hand, and sets them down, away from us, and inches toward me. He is leaning over me. I feel my heart crashing in a crazy rhythm; I want him to put his hands on me.

As if he could hear my thoughts, his hands cup my cheek, and his thumb grazes my faded but red-stained lips. He's teasing me, I know he is. He keeps looking directly at my lips, then my eyes. Does he want me to ask or do it myself?

"Are you not going to kiss me?"
"I'm just taking everything in before I take your clothes off." My breathing hitches and my blood races with anticipation. I hate that he can make me feel like this with his words.

Wanting some control back, I push myself up, which ultimately pushes him off of me. He looks startled for a moment like he said something that made me uncomfortable. Little does he know he did just the opposite.

I reach for his buttons, feverishly undoing them. He gets the hint to help me, but I stop him. I want to do this myself.

His fingers trail over my bare shoulders. Once his shirt is unbuttoned, I tug it off and toss it to the floor.

I never expected for someone—let alone Miles—to come into my life and scramble everything up in the best way possible. I always thought I knew what love was, but boy was I mistaken.

I know I don't need someone to make me feel like I'm worth something, but Miles knows how to make me feel special. He is opening up new doors for me I never thought would be opened, and I like it.

If he ended up walking out on me one day, which I hope never happens, those doors will still stay open. Just because someone helps you find yourself doesn't mean you depend on them for the rest of your life. You just end up learning how to keep those doors open without their help.

And I'm ready to open up a door I didn't think I would open soon.

I'm ready for Miles.

I turn my back toward him and undo my dress, so he gets the idea. "Miles, undo my dress."

He pulls his hands away and stares at me quizzically for a moment. "Bell, don't feel obligated to–" Before he can continue, I lean in and kiss him to shut him up.

As our lips move rhythmically, I guide his hand to the pull tab of my zipper once again. This time he doesn't hesitate. I turn around so he can see.

The straps fall to my shoulders and he looks up at me, asking permission with his eyes if he can take it off. I nod and without hesitation he does. The dress descends to my waist, revealing my bare chest.

His eyes roam, taking in every inch of me. His hands mimic his eyes, gently touching everything he sees.

With little warning, his mouth meets my neck, causing my head to fall in pleasure. In one swift motion, he rolls me onto my back and pulls my dress off the rest of the way so I'm only in my panties.

"Are you sure?" he questions one more time as his pants come off.

"Yes." I nod, helping him, and then we add his pants to the growing clothes pile beside us.

"Wait, do you have anything?" I inquire nervously before anything else happens. I will not do it if we don't use protection. As much as I would love little Miles and Bells, I don't want them anytime soon. I'm sure Miles doesn't want to be a father right now either.

He laughs. "Yes, and only because Addy shoved it in my pocket earlier..."

"Are you serious?" I shake my head in disbelief. "She is freaking nuts!"

"Hey, she's your best friend, not mine. Then again, she just saved the day." He adds, grinning.

I chuckle. "You're not wrong."

And then the kissing resumes like the conversation never happened. Without a warning, he kisses down my neck to my chest, lingering there for a little longer than the other places, then traveling down my stomach.

His light feathery kisses send tingles through my body, especially when his lips meet my upper thigh. His lips travel up, kissing every spot he can.

He has kissed me like this before, but tonight is different. Tonight, his kisses feel like electricity. Every time his lips meet my skin, I'm overwhelmed with shock. I fist my hands through his hair, not wanting it to end, but he is back up to my lips soon enough.

When he was kissing my thighs, I was too distracted to notice that he took everything off. Now nothing is separating us. The greenhouse windows fogged up from the heat permeating the building. Both of us are dripping from sweat, but his skin feels like silk against mine.

I'm not sure how long he focuses on me, but he sure isn't rushing things. He has made sure every inch of my body has been loved by him. And by the time I'm ready for him, I'm practically begging. But I want my fair share, so I take my time exploring him, making sure he feels wanted just as much as I feel it.

Our eagerness is becoming overwhelming and to be frank, I don't think either of us wants to wait any longer. So, he situates himself to make sure everything will be safe and then rolls me onto my back.

"You tell me if you need me to stop." I nod. He presses a kiss to my forehead and takes it slow. When I'm finally comfortable enough, I bring my feet to his back, tightening and pulling forward so he gets the idea I want him to move.

Not having done this before, it's strange how our bodies know what to do. They fit together like lock and key, and they work like gears. Well, more graceful than gears.

I tighten my legs again and fist my hand through his hair, tugging ever so slightly. Everything is blurring together, and I feel dizzy.

Without thinking, I mumble "I'm yours" right into his ear. It sends him into a frenzy. His speed picks up and before I know it, we get completely lost in each other. It's as perfect or even more than I imagined it to be.

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