Page 16 of Too Old for Love

“That’s complete nonsense. You are loving and caring. Just asking about Colt tells me that. You make me so excited for future possibilities, Everest. I see a future with you. I know that probably scares the shit out of you.”

“Yes. It does,” she said staring at him.

“Too bad. I’m not going anywhere. I always knew that when I met the woman I loved, it would hit me like a ton of bricks. Even the men on my team knew.”

“The w-woman you l-loved?” she stammered.

“Don’t run,” he smiled. “Just let me hold you tonight. Just let me lie with you.”

She stood from the sofa and he stared up at her as she turned back to him.

“Okay. I’m going to shower and then go to bed. If you want to lie with me, I won’t argue. I’m too tired.”

Mike didn’t say a word to her, watching as she disappeared down the hallway. His phone chirped and he read the text message.

Colt didn’t show for his shift at the club. Neither did Jordan. Owner said Colt is a good kid but didn’t have the same words for Jordan. Tomorrow.

Shit, thought Mike. Everest wouldn’t forgive herself if something happened to Colt. He heard the water in the shower turn off and he walked to the spare bedroom, changed into a pair of loose-fitting shorts and walked across to the master bedroom.

Everest was lying on the bed, the sheet pushed to her feet. She was on her side, her face already relaxed. Her wet hair fanned out on the pillow and he cursed himself thinking he could do this. He pushed down on his stiffening cock and then moved to the other side of the bed.

He carefully slid onto the sheet, moving closer to the center, just to be able to touch her hand. He was surprised when she didn’t pull back, instead, clasping her fingers with his own.

“Don’t leave me,” she whispered.

“I’m not going anywhere.” It shocked him that he was able to fall asleep so quickly. It didn’t shock him that he woke with a stiff cock the next morning. She was curled into his side, her left arm draped across his abdomen.

He grimaced as her hand slid up his side, then back down. She’s asleep, he told himself. She doesn’t know what she’s doing.

“Mike?” she whispered.

“Yeah, baby. Good morning.”

“Good morning. Mike? If I were to take off my nightgown will you promise not run?” He rolled over, staring at her.

“Why the fuck would I run?” he asked.

“Mike, my breasts are no longer where they once were, my abdomen is not flat, my thighs are not sturdy, and my ass…”

“Your ass is fucking perfect,” he said gripping her face. “You forget that I touched that ass when I put that harness on you. It’s round and lush and positively edible.”

She laughed at that, shaking her head.

“I’m serious, babe. Your body is real. It’s you. No silicone, no injections, no surgery. I can tell. It’s not your body that drew me in, Everest, although I love your body. It’s your mind, your heart, all of you.”

“Why do you know all the right things to say?”

“I don’t know,” he chuckled “but weren’t you saying something about taking off that nightgown?”

She sat up, turning her back slightly to him as she lifted the gown over her head and tossed it to the floor. She covered her breasts, laying back against the pillow and he shook his head, moving her arms aside.

“Don’t hide from me,” he growled. “You’re fucking perfect. Fucking beautiful.”

He traced a finger from the hollow of her throat down her chest, her breasts not as full as they once were, but still perfect. The small swell of her stomach told him she was a woman. A real, nothing fake woman. The soft flesh of her thighs made him moan.

Hooking his fingers into her panties, he tugged and shoved them down. He kicked off the shorts and she stared at him, her face pink and hot with desire.

“Touch me,” he said in a husky voice. She reached, swallowing as her fingers slid along his length. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”