Chapter 279: ~ 278
Chapter 278
~Octavia~
Franklin and I had retreated back to the massive master bed, seeking shelter in each other’s arms.
I leaned back against the headboard, my head resting securely against Franklin’s chest. His large, warm arm was wrapped around my shoulders, drawing me close, while his other hand gently traced soothing, mindless circles on my bare arm.
"Clinton dragged me out to the city today," Franklin murmured, his deep voice vibrating pleasantly against my back.
I tilted my head up to look at him, a faint smile touching my lips. "Oh yeah? What did he want?"
"He picked up the ring," Franklin revealed, a rare, soft warmth softening the hard lines of his jaw. "He’s completely losing his mind over it. He’s already planning a massive rooftop proposal downtown, covered entirely in white orchids and fairy lights."
"Oh, my goodness!" I gasped, a burst of genuine, bubbling excitement washing over me. I sat up slightly, turning to face him fully. "Really? That is so beautiful! Annie is going to absolutely melt."
Franklin let out a low, gravelly chuckle, the sound rich and relaxed. "He was vibrating so hard in the jewelry boutique I thought he was going to break the glass cases. The kid has it bad."
"Look who’s talking," I teased, poking his broad chest playfully. "Do you remember your own proposal? Because I distinctly remember a certain terrifying billionaire sweating through his bespoke suit."
Franklin’s eyes darkened with an amused, nostalgic glow. "I was not sweating."
"You absolutely were!" I laughed, the sound bright and airy in the quiet room.
My heart did a sweet, familiar flutter. We fell into a comfortable, happy silence, recapping the early days of our wild romance, sharing a good laugh over how dramatic and intense our journey had been just to get to this exact moment.
"Oh, my god," I sighed, resting my forehead against his shoulder as the giggles finally subsided. "We are getting so old, Franklin. We’re actually sitting here gossiping about marriage and rings like old retirees."
"We aren’t old," he rumbled, his lips brushing against my hair. "We’re just growing."
"Same difference," I smiled, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. I looked down at the soft baby monitor on the nightstand, where Lael’s rhythmic, peaceful breathing was softly transmitting into our room. "But seriously... look at us now. We have a beautiful daughter. A real family."
I looked back into his dark, mesmerizing eyes, a playful spark striking in my chest. "How many kids do you actually want, Mr. Flemington?"
Franklin didn’t even blink. His face remained completely deadpan as he looked at me. "Ten."
I froze, staring at him for a beat, before I burst into a loud, incredulous laugh. I hit his shoulder playfully. "Ten?! You are joking! Franklin, I am the one who has to carry them! Absolutely not!"
"We can afford a football team," he murmured, but a slow, incredibly wicked smirk finally broke across his handsome face.
"You are insane," I laughed, the joy vibrating through my entire body.
One thing led to another, and before I could even utter another word, he shifted his massive frame, pinning me gently beneath him against the pillows.
"Franklin—" I breathed, but the sound was instantly swallowed.
He leaned down and started kissing me passionately. It was deep, consuming, and desperate, a brilliant reminder that no matter what shadows crawled outside our gates, we belonged entirely to each other.
I melted into him, my hands sliding up his broad back, pulling him closer. The heat between us ignited instantly, years of love and desire pouring out after the emotional weight of the past days. His mouth claimed mine with a hunger that left me dizzy, tongues dancing slowly at first, then more urgently. I moaned softly into the kiss, my body responding with a familiar ache.
"Franklin," I whispered breathlessly when we parted for air, my fingers tracing the hard lines of his chest. "I want you. Right now."
He stilled above me, eyes dark with lust but shadowed with concern. His hand gently cupped my face, thumb stroking my cheek. "Octavia... sweetheart, you just gave birth. Are you sure it’s safe? I don’t want to hurt you or rush anything. I can wait. I’ll wait forever."
I smiled up at him, heart swelling with love at his protectiveness. I pulled him down for another soft kiss. "It’s been past the required weeks now. The doctor cleared me. I feel ready. I need this...need us. Just... be gentle?"
His expression softened into pure adoration. "Always. I’ll take care of you, love. Tell me if anything feels off."
With that consent, he kissed me again, slower this time, savoring every second. His hands roamed tenderly over my body, caressing my curves with reverence, lingering on the soft swell of my breasts and the gentle curve of my stomach. I arched into his touch, whispering encouragements between kisses. "I love your hands on me. Don’t stop."
Franklin trailed kisses down my neck, across my collarbone, taking his time to worship every inch. When he reached my breasts, he lavished them with attention, sucking gently on one nipple while his fingers teased the other, until I was whimpering with need. The sensations were intense, heightened by postpartum sensitivity, sending waves of pleasure straight to my core.
But I wanted to give it to him first. I pushed gently on his shoulders, guiding him onto his back. "Let me take care of you too," I murmured, sliding down his body with a wicked smile.
His eyes widened with surprise and desire as I settled between his legs. I wrapped my hand around his impressive length, stroking slowly, feeling him harden further under my touch. "You’re so beautiful," I whispered, leaning down to press a soft kiss to the tip before taking him into my mouth.
Franklin groaned deeply, his hand gently threading into my hair, not guiding, just holding. "Octavia... fuck, that feels incredible." I worked him with loving devotion, tongue swirling around the head, taking him deeper with each bob of my head.
The sounds he made, low, guttural moans of pleasure, spurred me on. I hummed around him, one hand stroking what I couldn’t fit, the other caressing his thigh. It was intimate, erotic, and filled with so much love. I looked up at him through my lashes, seeing the raw ecstasy on his face.
"God, you’re perfect," he panted, voice rough. "I love you so much. Come here, sweetheart, I need to be inside you."
I released him with a final, lingering lick and climbed back up, straddling his hips carefully. He sat up slightly, supporting me with strong arms, our foreheads pressed together. "Gentle," he reminded, voice thick with restraint and love.
I nodded, sinking down onto him inch by inch. The stretch was exquisite, full and connecting us in the most profound way. We both moaned at the union, holding still for a long moment to savor it. "You feel like heaven," I breathed, beginning to rock slowly against him.
Franklin’s hands gripped my hips lightly, helping set a tender rhythm. We moved together in perfect sync, deep, unhurried strokes that built the pleasure gradually. His eyes never left mine, filled with so much emotion it brought tears to my eyes. "This is us," he whispered. "Through everything. I love you, Octavia. My wife. Mother of my child."
"I love you more," I gasped, grinding down a little firmer, feeling him hit that perfect spot inside me. Our bodies glistened with a light sheen of sweat, the room filled with the sounds of our shared pleasure, soft moans, whispered words, the gentle slap of skin on skin.
He reached between us, his thumb circling my clit with expert care. The added stimulation sent me spiraling higher. "Franklin... I’m so close already."
"Let go for me, love. I want to feel you." His thrusts remained gentle but purposeful, building the intensity until I shattered with a loud, ecstatic scream. "Franklin! Oh God...yes!" My body clenched around him in powerful waves, squirting warmly over us both as the orgasm crashed through me, blissful and overwhelming.
He held me through it, kissing me deeply as I trembled. Only then did he allow his own release, groaning my name as he came deep inside me, pulsing with love and satisfaction.
We collapsed together, tangled in each other’s arms, breathing heavily. Franklin pulled the duvet over us, cradling me against his chest. "How do you feel?" he asked softly, kissing my forehead.
"Cherished. Complete. Mind-blown," I murmured with a happy laugh, tracing patterns on his skin. "That was perfect. Thank you for being so gentle... and so incredible."
He chuckled warmly, his hand resting protectively over my stomach.