Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 568(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 568(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
We’re not just heading toward the pantry.
We’re heading toward our future.
We’re heading toward everything.
And I can’t wait to catch him.
His hands find me in the darkness, warm and sure against my waist. No hesitation, no careful measuring of space, no asking permission—because he doesn’t need to anymore. Because we’ve earned this trust. Because we’ve built this safety between us.
“Found you,” I whisper, though really he found me. Found all of me, even the parts I tried to hide behind gloves and counting and careful patterns.
“Always,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my ear. His fingers trail up my sides, finding the blindfold’s edge. “Ready?”
I nod, anticipation building as he slowly removes the silk. The pantry comes into focus, and my breath catches at what he’s done with the space.
Soft lights twinkle everywhere—not harsh fluorescents that show imperfections, but gentle warmth that makes everything glow. The shelves have been cleared, clean surfaces gleaming in the low light. Everything measures perfectly, everything counts precisely, everything aligns exactly right.
“You did all this?” My voice comes out breathless, taking in every detail. The careful preparation. The perfect arrangement. The way he’s transformed our beginning into something new.
“Three times,” he confirms, his chest pressing against my back, his arms wrapping around my waist. “Cleaned everything. Counted everything. Made it perfect.” His lips find my neck, making me shiver. “For you. For us. For this moment.”
I lean back into him, trusting his strength, his stability, his love. Because that’s what this is really about—not just the physical space he’s prepared, but the emotional one he’s created. The safety he’s built. The future he’s planning.
“The first time I saw you here,” he murmurs between kisses along my shoulder, “you were counting breaths to stay calm. Wearing three pairs of gloves to feel safe. Trying so hard to control everything around you.”
“And you were drowning yourself in bourbon,” I remind him, tilting my head to give him better access. “Hiding behind chaos and rebellion and carefully constructed walls.”
“Look at us now.” His hands slide down my arms, finding my bare fingers and lacing them with his. “No gloves. No bourbon. No walls between us.”
The truth of that settles in my chest like sunshine. Because we have changed. Grown. Healed. Not into normal people, but into better versions of ourselves. Versions that love each other’s differences instead of trying to fix them.
“Lee,” I start, but he turns me in his arms, pressing me gently against the pantry wall.
“You’re mine now, Salem. And I want to worship you right here where it all began.”
He moves to sink to his knees, but I stop him with a hand on his arm. “No, it’s my turn to taste you.
Lee’s eyes darken with desire as I guide him back against the opposite wall. “Your turn?” he murmurs, a hint of challenge in his voice. “You sure about that?”
I nod, trailing my fingers down his chest. “I’m sure. I want to show you how much I trust you. How much I love you.”
His breath catches as I slowly sink to my knees, maintaining eye contact. This is new territory for us—me taking control and initiating this level of intimacy. But that’s what tonight is about, isn’t it?
New beginnings. New trust. New love.
“Salem,” he breathes, his hand cupping my cheek. “You don’t have to—”
“I want to,” I assure him, turning to press a kiss to his palm. “Let me take care of you for once.”
His eyes flutter closed as I undo his belt, his breathing quickening. I can feel the tension in his body, the way he’s holding himself back. Always so careful with me. Always so mindful of my boundaries.
“It’s okay,” I murmur, nuzzling against his hip. “You can let go. I’ve got you.”
A shudder runs through Lee’s body at my words, his fingers tangling in my hair. I can feel the moment he surrenders, truly letting himself be vulnerable with me. Having this much power over someone I love so deeply is a heady feeling.
I take my time, savoring every inch of him. The pantry fills with the sounds of his ragged breathing, soft moans escaping his lips as I worship him with my mouth. His hips twitch, fighting to stay still, always so careful not to push too far.
“It’s okay,” I murmur again, pulling back to meet his gaze. “You don’t have to hold back. Not with me. Not anymore.”
Something breaks in his expression—relief, love, desire all mingling together. His hand tightens in my hair, guiding me back to him. This time when I take him in my mouth, he lets himself move and feel without restraint.
Watching him come undone is beautiful. Knowing I’m the one who brought him to this point. Knowing he trusts me enough to let go completely.
When he finally comes, my name on his lips like a prayer, I feel a sense of pride and deep satisfaction. I’ve never seen Lee so undone, so vulnerable. His chest heaves as he catches his breath, eyes still closed, head tipped back against the pantry wall. I rise slowly, pressing soft kisses along his body as I go.