The Color of Her Lips

Chapter Thirty-One

Michael

These past few days we've fucked a lot, I don't deny it. But yesterday was different. So different.

Knowing that she wants to commit to us and that she loves me while being inside of her is a whole different story.

God, I feel so complete now. I don't have any doubts because, fuck, the way she smiled as I kissed her while she was riding me told me everything I needed to know. She didn't need to moan an 'I love you' on my lips to let me know.

That and second of all, I am so proud of her. So so proud.

What my brother did to her so many years ago scarred her not only on the outside, but also on the inside. I see how she doesn't trust so easily, how she uses her sarcasm as a shield, how she dreads people running away. But I made a promise. And I'm going to keep it for dear life.

I want to spend my whole life beside her, no matter what. She doesn't realize how much she means to me. It all happened so fast but I'm positive it will last forever.

I'll always be here to remind her that she's amazing, that her fragilities are what make her shine. Being near her is like breathing in fresh air.

I've held her so many times in so little time, but it feels different now. It's as if I hold her entire heart and soul in my arms.

She looks so small and fragile while sleeping so lighthearted. I stroke her shoulder-length brown hair, her head on my chest.

We're about to start the new year together, and I never felt so happy to start over again.

• • •

"Are you ready?" I ask her over the loud music outside the AriasCasino.

She nods and smiles at me, her lips not red for once because this morning I have told her that at midnight I wanted to kiss the color of her lips, their natural one—a pale shade of pink.

Kim and Carlos are already making out on the right. Sally and a shorter than her black haired guy are dancing together, without making anything bad.

"10...9...8..." the crowd shouts.

Ari and I are staring at each other's soul, our faces just a few inches apart.

"6...5..."

I gently wrap my large hand around her neck—this turns her on more than anything. A smile spreads on my face.

"3...2...1..."

"Happy new year, baby," I say on her lips and finally kiss her.

Ari puts her hands on the nape of my neck. "Happy new year, Michael." She parts her lips and welcomes my tongue. She giggles when I slide my hands down to her ass. "Stop," she says giggling. "We're in public. My sister's here."

"It isn't like she hasn't heard us fucking in the room next to hers. Right?" I grin.

Her eyes widen but she bursts out laughing. "She told you this?" she asks and I nod. She hides her face by leaning her forehead on my chest. "Oh my God. You're lucky I love you, idiot."

"You're lucky I love you too, babe." I smile at her and hold her by the waist. I lean forward to kiss her again, making her arch her back as if doing a casquet.

She laughs on my lips once she's standing upright again. God, I love her laugh. I love the sound of it and finally I can say that I hear it more often. And her smile, framed by beautiful pale pink lips.

She has no idea, no fucking idea, how beautiful she is to me.

Oh, and—I was almost forgetting it—tonight she's wearing a bordeaux long v-neck dress with a slit along the thigh. She's finally showing her scar to everyone who looks at her, without being scared of their judgment.