You’re Everything I Need: A Forbidden Romance

by Ford, Mia

  I straddle him, too keen to feel him inside me for playing around. I sit astride him and slide all the way until he fills me right up. I groan loudly, gleefully, loving this incredible sensation. We fit together perfectly, it feels right when he’s with me, I never want this warm, fluttery feeling to subside.

  “Oh, Lexi, you feel so fucking good.” His fingers dig into my skin. “Fucking hell, I love you.”

  He tries to guide the rhythm, but the way that I ride him sends him insane and eventually he just goes with it. He bucks his hips to meet me halfway, but I’m the one with all the power. That feels wonderful, it turns me on amazingly, I move harder and faster, hitting all the right places as I go. I greedily head for my own orgasm, barely worrying about him. My head spins, I see stars flicker in front of me, I lose myself in the way this feels. It’s awesome. Hot, bubbly, gorgeous. All because of Cooper.

  Just as I think about leaning down to kiss him, Cooper bolts into a sitting position and he wraps his arms tightly around me. His lips meet mine and he swallows up every single of my groans. I start to shudder, a shiver races up and down my spine, my heart hammers hard against my rib cage as the pressure builds. It’s hot, it’s sexy, it creeps up from my toes and spreads all around my body. In the moment, it’s only him and me. Nothing else in the world matters, it’s all shrunk down to nothingness. This is what’s important, this is all I should have worried about all along. I kiss him harder, more passionately, hoping that he can feel the love there.

  I tip closer to the edge, steaming towards the finish line, and Cooper holds me tight, hugging me while I lose my breath. The closer I get, the more everything intensifies, the more I can feel him.

  “Oh shit!” I scream and throw my head backwards. It’s like a hot explosion, fireworks going off all the way through me, and I love it. I savor every second, embracing the pleasure as it swims through me and rolls off me in waves. “Oh, Cooper. I love you, I love you so much. I’m so glad that you’re mine.”

  “I love you too.” He kisses me lots as he bucks hard and fast. “I love you, Lexi.”

  The bliss bursts free from him as well and his salty desire fills me. We cling to one another, holding each other while the tight bubble of love circles us. This is honestly the happiest I’ve ever been.

  Once we collapse on Cooper’s bed next to each other, I can’t stop a giggle from flying free.

  “What’s so funny?” he asks, bemused. “You aren’t trying to make me paranoid, are you?”

  “No, no, it isn’t that. I’m just a bit shocked that we’re here. After everything.”

  “I know. Me too, but it’s good shock, right?” He gives me an imploring look.

  “Oh yeah, definitely.” I nod enthusiastically. “It’s really good shock.”

  “So, where is your head at when it comes to moving back in here? I would really love you to…”

  “Don’t you think that’s something you need to discuss with Aubrey first? She might not want it.”

  “Oh, please. That’s ridiculous. She definitely wants you around. She’s always asking when you’re coming back to live. She misses you a lot. If you say yes, she’ll be so happy.”

  That makes my heart heat up with happiness. “What about the new baby?”

  “That will make her happy too, I’m sure of it. Plus, we’ll keep making a fuss of her.”

  “Oh, definitely. I’ll make sure she knows how loved she is. If this does happen then I’ll make sure she knows how special she is. Hopefully, she will love the idea of being a big sister.”

  “So, you’ll move in?” I nod, there’s no denying that’s what I want. “That’s amazing.”

  He pulls me towards him and I curl into his body, loving the comforting sound of his heart racing and his breath going crazy. Cooper’s really digesting this life-changing event as much as me.

  “You know what, Lexi, I would love to marry you. I hope you know that.”

  I giggle again. “I would love that too. Being your wife would be awesome.”

  “So, if I asked you, you would say yes?”

  “Is this you asking about asking me, or actually asking me?”

  “Hmm, I don’t know, it’s just a spur-of-the-moment thing. Why, what’s your answer?”

  “Whatever the question, the answer is yes.”

  “So, you would marry me? The idea doesn’t scare the living hell out of you?”

  “Of course I would. I really do love you, Cooper. It doesn’t scare me at all.”

  “I love you too, Lexi.”

  As he kisses me again, I know we aren’t going to get married tomorrow, but the fact that we have planned to is really something. We’ve finally put all the other petty stuff behind us and we’re giving it a go. It no longer matters that he didn’t listen to me that one time, I’m sure he’s learned his lesson from that, and it doesn’t matter that people might protest. This is about our happiness and I’m so pleased to find it. It might be in the arms of the man I least expected, but that’s okay. Nothing has to go the way I planned for it to work.

  This feels like the beginning of my real life. My happy-ever-after at last.

  49

  Cooper

  “Is everything in place?” I ask Cassie nervously as I straighten out my tie. “It’s all good?”

  “Will you stop worrying?” She rolls her eyes and laughs. “It’s all fine, Cooper. You’ve done a good job.”

  “Thank you.” I pause for a moment and look at her, wondering if that’s sadness I see in her eyes. “Is this weird for you? Sorry, I keep getting so caught up in everything I forget that it’s a little off…”

  “It’s not weird. Obviously, it’s going to bring back some memories, but it’s okay. I’m happy for you.”

  “And everyone else? They are all okay?”

  “Mom’s good, Lexi is great - she looks beautiful by the way - her mom is fine, and Aubrey’s awesome.”

  “Good, good. That’s great news. I’m glad. I just want everyone to be fine.”

  “Yeah well, even the people who were unsure at first can see how happy you make each other.”

  I nod and smile. “Plus, I’m sure they are all getting excited about the baby.”

  “Ooh, not long now. A couple of months. Are you nervous about it?”

  “A little, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be fine. I have experienced it before anyway. I can’t worry about it today anyway, not when I have this to get through without making a fool of myself. So, do I look okay?”

  She runs her eyes critically up and down me before nodding. “Yep, so you better get out there quick.”

  “Okay good.” I breathe deep. “I guess I’ll see you on the other side then.”

  I take giant strides towards the marquee set out in the garden, calming my heart rate down as I go. It took a lot for me to organize a secret wedding without Lexi finding out, but I just about managed it. And it was all worth it to see the stunned, happy face when I told her what I’d done. She wanted something small and intimate anyway. The last thing we want is to have lots of people around, this wedding is just for us, to celebrate our love. We only want the people who we really adore around, the people who have been part of our story.

  “Oh, Aubrey, you look lovely!” She runs up to me and dives into my arms, crumpling her lovely dress a little bit. “I love this dress. Are you ready for the wedding? Are you all excited about it?”

  “I have my flowers!” She throws a handful into the air. “Yay!”

  I laugh and hold her close to me, loving her for how well she’s taken all of this. There hasn’t been a second of hesitation with her, she’s more than happy to include Lexi in our lives. I don’t know if that will stay the same when the baby is here, but I’m taking it one step at a time.

  “Oh well, that’s amazing. I know you’re going to be brilliant.”

  I take Aubrey’s hand and we walk to the front of the aisle. On the way, I see all sorts of familiar faces as I go. Flora and Krysten, both with their boyfriends, Sally
, Jenny, and a couple of other girls from the office, Lexi’s family, all the people who have been a part of this. It isn’t the hundreds of people I had in attendance at my last wedding, but that’s perfect for us. This is all that we need.

  We stand at the front for a while, Aubrey growing more impatient with every passing second. I have to admit, I feel that way too. I just can’t wait to see how Lexi looks in the dress I brought her. I hope she’s happy…

  “Oh, there she is,” I whisper, as she finally turns the corner. “Oh, wow.”

  My heart stops beating, then flutters at a million miles an hour. She actually stuns me. Even though I picked out the sleek white gown which fits perfectly over her little bump, seeing it on her body, combined with ringlets in her hair and beautiful makeup, the sight is incredible. I’m reacting so violently, it takes everything that I have not to run to her side and scoop her up in my arms already. I resist, but Aubrey doesn’t.

  “Lexi!” she screams as she runs towards her. “Princess!”

  Lexi bends down to kiss her on the cheek then holds her hand as she walks towards me. Seeing my two girls and my unborn child really fills me with joy. I no longer see Nora like I used to when I needed her advice, but I can feel her warmth wrapped around me today. She wants me to be happy, she likes this for me and Aubrey.

  “Hey,” I murmur as soon as she’s near enough to hear me. “You look beautiful.”

  “You don’t look too bad yourself.” She takes my hands and tuns her eyes up and down me, smiling appreciatively as she does. “I still can’t believe you organized all of this. It’s crazy.”

  “Well, I told you that I want you to be my wife and you totally said yes.” I run my hand over her belly. “And I think it’s better if we get married before our little one is born, don’t you?”

  “We are gathered here today…” All of a sudden, we’re interrupted by the stark reminder of why we’re here. “To celebrate the union of Cooper Ventry and Lexi Headley.” Aubrey hides behind Lexi’s dress and stares up at our officiant, listening to him intently. “All of us desire to love and to be loved, and the highest form of love between two people is within a monogamous, committed relationship. Lexi and Cooper, your marriage today is the public and legal joining of your souls that have already been united as one in your hearts.”

  I smile at her, loving the way that feels. To commit to Lexi is easy, especially after everything that we’ve been through. I want us to belong to one another in the strongest way possible.

  “A marital commitment includes the willingness to be open and vulnerable, and the courage to take risks, to love one another through whatever life throws at you. Marriage is a conscious act of will, and to remain in marriage, we must continually renew our will to be married, accepting the challenges of life together. Today, you are deciding to face the fears that are a necessary part of establishing and nurturing an intimate relationship, Lexi and Cooper, you are making the commitment to create and recreate this conscious partnership.”

  I gulp, feeling myself welling up. I wasn’t expecting to get emotional quite so quickly!

  “Marriage is not just a legal act, it’s also an emotional and spiritual one. To be committed takes patience and love, time and effort, and today, you are vowing to do just that.”

  I hear tears coming from all around us. Right now, it seems like Lexi is the only one holding it together which is funny because she’s been an emotional wreck for months. The pregnancy is wreaking havoc with her hormones.

  “Now, Lexi and Cooper, I believe that you have prepared your own vows.”

  I cough awkwardly, clearing my throat as I prepare to speak. I even memorized this so I don’t need paper with me, but now I’m not sure that was the best plan. I might have felt a lot better with some support, something to back me up if I start failing. Still, it’s too late to worry about that right now!

  “Lexi Headley.” There’s a choke in my voice. I think I’ve lost all control. “From the moment you walked into my life, my entire existence has been turned upside down. You’ve changed absolutely everything, things I didn’t even need changing, you’ve shaken it all. It’s terrifying, but also wonderful. Being in love with you is like a roller coaster ride.” I squeeze her hands tighter. “It’s amazing, I have the best fun with you and I’m so glad that we’re going to keep doing this forever. I’m also so happy that we’re going to expand our family and have even more.” Tears well in the back of my eyes. I can’t stop them however hard I try. “I love you, Lexi. I can’t wait for you to be my wife; our next new adventure is going to be the best one ever. I promise to care for you always, to look after you and the children forever, to always be the man you need me to be.”

  I nod, indicating for her to start. I probably have more to say but right now I know that if I try to speak, the tears will start really flowing. I don’t want to be a total mess for all the pictures!

  “Cooper, from the very first moment I met you, I knew that I loved you. I wasn’t supposed to, there were so many reasons why I shouldn’t be with you, but I couldn’t stop myself from falling anyway. And now look, here we are, getting married, about to have a baby.” There’s a titter from the crowd and I can’t help joining in. “It’s wild. But like you said it’s all been an adventure and I can’t wait for the next part. I will love you forever.”

  Simple, but perfect, just enough. We slip the rings on one another’s fingers and sign all the relevant paperwork, bringing the ceremony to an end. At first, we have some lovely, romantic pictures, but it soon descends into madness when everyone else joins in and we end up having a lot of fun with it. I honestly can’t remember the last time I laughed so much. It’s the loveliest wedding ever.

  The wedding soon melts into a reception party, still at our house. There’s drink and food, music and dancing, lots and lots of fun. Everyone looks like they are having the best time.

  “I cannot believe you organized all of this,” Lexi murmurs directly into my ear. “This is amazing.”

  “I’m so glad you like it. There was a moment where I worried about it. I thought you might hate it.”

  “Not at all.” She spins me around and crashes her lips to mine. “It’s perfect. Plus, it saves me the worry of having to do all of the organizing myself. You must have been so stressed about it all.”

  “Oh no, it was a walk in the park! I loved every second of it.”

  She starts rocking side to side, swaying to the music so I join in. The music is fast-paced and wild, but we’re in our own little bubble, dancing as if it’s a ballad. I think this is how we live a lot of our lives, just me and her, us against the world. It’s lovely to have all the other people around us, but it’s always just me and her.

  “I do really love you, you know that, right?”

  “I know.” She presses her lips to mine again. “And I love you too, hubby.”

  “Ooh, that feels nice. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing you say that, wifey.”

  She tosses her head back and laughs, looking more beautiful than ever. She gets better ever single day, Lexi is everything and I love her so much. I didn’t ever think I would find happiness after tragedy, but I have, and I can’t wait for the rest of our lives.

  I will never forget Nora, she’s always going to be an amazing person who gave me the world, but now Aubrey and I have a new start and I can’t wait for it.

  “I think we might need to get out of here soon,” she murmurs against my lips. “I want to consummate our marriage.”

  “You do?” I can almost feel my eyes glaze over with lust. “Okay, yeah, well let’s do it. Let’s get out of here.”

  I grab her hand and pull her towards the stairs, both of us giggling like schoolchildren. People probably look at us as we go, but again we’re still in our bubble. Just me and Lexi alone.

  Epilogue – Lexi

  One Year Later…

  “Lexi!” The voice radiates through the whole house. “Lexi, the baby is crying!”

  “Ok
ay, I’m coming, Aubrey. Thank you, sweetheart.”

  I race from the kitchen into the front room with a smile. At only three years old, there are so many reasons why she could not like this new intrusion in her life, I was so worried that she’d hate Jack, but she’s taken to having a baby brother amazingly. She’s so helpful, so sweet, so kind.

  “Oh dear, what happened, Jack?” I pick him up and wipe his tears away. “Did you fall?”

  “He can’t walk yet.”

  “No, I know, but he’s giving it a go, isn’t he? He’s still only ten months old, so he’s still very young.”

  “I can walk!”

  “I know you can, Aubrey. You’re amazing at walking.”

  She smiles, pleased with herself. “What time is Daddy coming home?”

  I dart my eyes towards the clock and blow out a breath of relief. “He’ll be here soon. You know he’s going to be back for dinner. He always is, isn’t he?”

  Ever since we got married, he’s made even more of an effort to be home early. He’s always back for dinner, no matter what’s going on at work. I know he’s had to let a lot go for that to happen, he’s had to take a step back and give over a lot of the control, but that’s probably for the best anyway. He has the fashion line at a good place and he’s got a good set of staff members, it can run itself. He doesn’t have to be there.

  “Yeah, he is. Oh! Is that his car?” She races to the window and peers through. “It is!”

  I rock Jack and hug him tight, trying to calm him down. Aubrey runs to the front door and lets her dad in. I know we aren’t doing anything particularly special, but I’d much rather look nice for him when he walks through the door. It doesn’t matter, Cooper loves me whatever, but I still like to look as pretty as I can.

  “Daddy’s here, Jack,” I coo, hopefully cheering him up. “Are you excited to see him?”