Hailey's POV
I snatched the phone from his hands, thinking he was sending it to himself. Yet when I looked at his screen, I saw Liv's name at the top with his message in the text box, ready to send. He was choosing me. I shook my head, knowing this was enough for me.
"Don't send it," I said, erasing it before giving it back to him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I am sure. She needs us right now, and this is proof enough for me. I believe you, Ian." I smiled, feeling the lightest I have ever felt in my life. Yes, there was this small fear inside me that he could break my heart. But for once, it wasn't a crippling one.
"Oh, thank God. I had all intentions of sending it, but I was really feeling like an ass. With her cancer and all, it would have been super bad timing," he said, making me giggle at his honesty. He had this panicked look in his eyes, like he had just narrowly avoided death. It made my giggle turn to laughter.
"I understand what you mean. The gesture alone is enough for me. Don't betray my trust, Ian. I'm believing you when you say you're choosing me." I looked at him seriously, not wanting him to think I was playing around. Placing his hands on my hips, he lifted me, having me straddle his lap.
"I would never betray it, Hailey. I promise. All I want is to make you happy."
"Thank you," I whispered, before uttering the words I told myself I would never say. "I love you, too, Ian."
"Now I know I must be dreaming. Hailey Medina, did I just hear you right?" The smile on his face was unlike any other I had seen before. It wrinkled his eyes on the side, radiating a joy so deep that it was clearly visible on his face.
"I'll take it back," I warned him, not wanting him to make a big deal out of it.
"Uh-uh, you can't take it back now. I heard you say it. You love me." It was impossible to fight back the stupid smirk he was causing me to have. My cheeks were starting to hurt as we both continued to just smile at one another, feeling truly happy for once.
"Are you sure you won't change your mind? That you won't go back and choose Liv over me?" I asked, needing this feeling of uncertainty to be gone.
"I will always choose you, Hailey. You are the one."
The next thing I knew, he grabbed my face and kissed me so passionately that I could feel it deep in my soul. My lingering insecurities faded as our kiss continued, deepening and begging for more. Reverently, my fingers tangled in his tousled hair, pulling him close with great need. Pressing myself against him while pulling myself up on my knees over him. His chin rested over my breast with our lips connected, filling me with the largest want I have ever felt.
"Take me home, Ian," I whispered, resting my nose against his. Our eyes met tenderly, showing me all the emotions I felt mirrored on his face.
"Gladly." He beamed his bright smile at me, picking me up as he stood before placing me on my feet.
We ran through the planetarium with my sporadic giggling. I felt so light and happy. All this time, I thought the moment I admitted to loving someone would be the end of me. I was so wrong- it was just the beginning- and I was starting to see that. My cheeks hurt from how much I had been smiling by the time we entered the car. I grabbed his phone, knowing it would be the first to pair with the Bluetooth. I played "Nick and Nora's Theme" by Mike Mothersbaugh, feeling like listening to light, melodic music.
"I loved this movie," Ian said, surprising me when he recognized the song.
"I did too!" I exclaimed, feeling oddly excited by the fact.
"I knew you were perfect for me." He winked at me as he drove, making me laugh at how cheesy he was being. I love every minute of his cheesiness, and I think I always will.
He parked in the parking garage, and we raced to the elevator. Like literally raced to the elevator and he didn't let me win! We laughed, but as soon as the elevator doors opened on my floor, the mood shifted. The silliness was replaced by the hunger we felt at the planetarium, yearning to be satisfied. Without a word, Ian lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs around his torso. His strong grip held me by my ass as he carried me to the front door, his eyes never leaving mine.
Somehow, he managed to open my door without dropping me, leading us inside as he began to kiss me. My back hit the wall behind the door as he shut it, giving us some privacy. Our kisses were sloppy and wet, yet absolutely perfect as we continued this to my room. Ian kicked his shoes off along the way while keeping me up. I did the same, letting them fall as he walked. He accidentally slammed my bedroom door closed behind us, making me giggle against his lips. My back met the comfort of my soft bed, with my legs tightly wrapped around him. He stood as best he could with my legs around him and quickly took his shirt off.
I bit my lip as I admired his figure once more. We had only slept with each other one time, but it was an experience that left me craving more. I only needed it once to know I would always enjoy it. He was attentive, remembering every sensitive spot of mine from last time and using it against me. His lips trailed over my jaw gently, so lightly that it was as if it were a feather. That tongue of his ran across my neck, causing a small moan to leave my lips. He was doing it again, using his fingers, tongue, and mouth to get me to the point where I was dripping wet before he had even really touched my most sensitive areas.
Ian stood once more, pulling away from my hungry hands. I missed the warmth of his skin the second he moved away, before my mind was overtaken by the racing of my heart as he slowly lifted my shirt. His eyes held my own as his fingers danced over my bare stomach, inching towards the mounds of my breast. He ran his finger over the hill, making sure to drag over my nipple through my lace bra. My breathing slowed, causing me to inhale deeply every time as the desire began to overtake me. I wanted him inside me at this very moment. The wet feeling between my thighs told me I had soaked through my underwear.
"Ian." I whispered his name. "Please. I need you inside me."
"Are you sure?" He asked, probably thinking of my incident with Juan, but that was far from my mind. Tonight, not even the memory of Juan can ruin my mood. I have said the three words that have scared me all my life. There is no way I will let what Juan did to me hold me back from being loved by Ian.
"Very." I gave him a nod, seeing his smile return once more. It was sexy as hell as his eyes ventured over my body.
Without another word, Ian got to work, pulling my bra to the side and releasing my perked brown nipple. He greeted it with his tongue, wrapping it around my hardened bud before taking it fully into his mouth. I moaned loudly, feeling ready to burst already. It didn't occur to me that Christin could be home, and if she was at this point, I honestly didn't care if she heard me. I was enjoying every second of being with Ian, feeling his love in every touch and kiss he gave me. My chest lifted, pressing against his face further, wanting more and more of him. My hands played around his waistband, desperately trying to undress him and move things along. Only he grabbed my hands and stopped me. He lifted his head, releasing my nipple with a pop.
"You'll have to learn to be patient, Querida {my dear}. I love seeing you squirm and beg for it."
His words sent a quiver through me, begging for more. This side of Ian was new to me, bringing excitement with it. It was torturous to have to wait, especially with me being such an impatient woman. Yet I knew the promise of his pleasure was well worth the torment. I groaned, leaving his waistband alone, letting him drive things along.