Troy And Athena (Forbidden Love Series Book 15)

"Yes," said Athena, looking straight into Troy's eyes. "I agree to everything," she told him, making his jaws drop with surprise. He hadn't expected her to accept everything that he had asked for.

"Will you be mine forever?" He asked with hope. Athena nodded, getting up from her chair and approaching him. She touched his cheek tenderly. 

"Yes, forever," she whispered softly but Troy pulled her onto his lap. 

"Thank you Athena, you've made me the happiest man alive, " he said into her hair. Athena sank deep into him. She could feel his warmth seep into her. Her heart was finally at rest. She knew that she had made the right decision. She knew that this was what granny had always wanted. She knew that granny would finally be happy wherever she was. The thought of granny finally finding her peace made her extremely contented. 

"Me too, Troy, " she admitted softly. Troy's phone buzzed with an incoming call from Laurence and Athena got up to clear their dinner. Troy accepted the call and told his best friend the good news of Athena's return. 

"I'm so happy for you, dude," said Laurence.

"Yeah, so am I. This time I'm not letting her go ever," said Troy. 

"I don't think she'd want to," said Laurence. "She's returned to you of her own free will. She'll stick to you."

Troy called his mom to inform her of Athena's return since she always worried about him way too much. She was ecstatic and wanted him to come over the next day itself with Athena. After much explanation, Troy was able to ward her invitations off for a few days. Later he called Brandon and informed him too. He was relieved and wished Troy a happy life. He even joked about inviting him to their wedding. 

Athena smiled as she overheard Troy's conversations with everyone. It was clear that he really was worried about her. Finally, she started the dishwasher and walked out of the kitchen to see Troy disconnecting Brandon's call. 

"What did Brandon say?" She asked him curiously. 

"He wished me happiness and asked me to invite him to our wedding," said Troy with a smirk. Athena rolled her eyes but her cheeks blushed crimson. 

"I think he was busy doing it with someone. I could hear her distinctly, " said Troy with a grin. Athena's jaws dropped. 

"Really? Are you sure?" She asked curiously. So, did Brandon move on from Sarah? Did he fall for someone or was he just fooling around with random women? She was bursting with curiosity when she felt a pair of strong muscular arms pick her up. She looked up to find herself in Troy's arms as he carried her up the stairs, bridal style. 

Athena laid her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck. It felt so good, so relaxing to feel wanted, to belong to someone for life. Troy smiled contentedly, noticing that she hadn't protested one bit. He carried her to his bedroom. 

"I need a shower before sleeping. Can I borrow a shirt of yours?" She asked him, looking up at him as he placed her down. 

"I'm yours already so do you really need my permission to borrow a shirt? They're all yours babe," he winked, going to the closet to get a shirt. Athena blushed at the endearment, following him into his closet. It had been a year since she'd slept with him and suddenly the thought made her excited beyond words. She watched the muscles of his broad shoulder flex as he pushed the sliding doors to his walk-in closet. The faded denim shorts that he wore clung to his hips and thighs like second skin, distinctly showing off his thick, muscular legs. Heat pooled in her core as she felt an immense need to feel his lips on hers. It had been a year and now that she had surrendered herself to him completely, she couldn't wait to be kissed again like before.

Troy picked up a shirt and turned around to face her. His eyes searched hers to find a need as desperate as his reflected in them. The moment he'd seen her, he'd been restraining himself from the urge to kiss her senseless. Considering what she had just gone through he was in a dilemma whether kissing her would be a wise thing to do at the moment. Now seeing the needy look in her eyes, he couldn't stop himself any longer. The shirt dropped from his hand. With a sharp intake of breath, he pulled her flush against his torso, clamping her to himself with his arm around her waist. 

"Troy," she whispered, tangling her fingers into his hair and pulling his head down towards hers. Troy eagerly claimed her soft, warm lips with desperation, in case she changed her mind. He cupped her face to dominate her mouth as his tongue traced the contours of her lips. He was like a starving lion attacking his prey and his teeth bit her lower lip, seeking permission to plunge deeper. Athena moaned into his mouth and eagerly opened hers to let him in. Her whole body trembled at the uncontrollable sensation that she felt at the pit of her stomach. Soon her hands went to the back of his head and she pulled him closer, returning his kisses with equal fervor. 

Troy groaned at her wild response. It was obvious that she too had missed him as much as he had. "Athena, I love you. I always have and I always will," he whispered breathlessly, releasing her mouth for a moment. At that moment, within the confines of the luxurious walk-in closet, time stood still for them as they stared at one another, too lost to look away. Realizing suddenly what he had just said, Athena's eyes filled with tears of joy. He loved her! She couldn't believe that he had really confessed his feelings to her. 

"I love you too, Troy, more than words can ever express, " she whispered back. Troy crashed his lips back to hers, this time with a passionate hunger. It was a wild and needy kiss that tasted and devoured her, that demanded an equally passionate response from her. Athena tried her best to match his passion with an intensity that came from deep within her. Troy groaned with need, his hands pulling her closer. It was as if their souls had fused together to become one, uniting them in a sweet bond of true love. Later, Troy released her to touch his forehead to hers, calming their breaths and rapidly beating hearts. 

"Quickly change and freshen up. I'm waiting for you," he told her, placing the shirt in her hand. Athena nodded and walked towards his en-suite. Troy tried to calm himself. Much as he would have liked to make her completely his, but he knew that she wasn't ready at the moment. He would give her the time that she needed to recover from her loss. There was no hurry. They belonged to one another and no one could ever separate them. 

Troy changed into his sweatpants and lay on his bed waiting eagerly for Athena. His body tingled with excitement at the thought of holding her delicious body in his arms tonight. He smiled thinking of their hot encounter in the closet. She loved him as much as he had loved her! This was like a dream come true for him. 

The door to the en-suite opened and Athena shyly walked out wearing Troy's milky white shirt. In the soft light of the table lamp the shirt blended with her milky white complexion making her look almost naked. Troy was immediately hard thinking of her soft bare body against his own, all night. How would he sleep without losing his sanity? Athena was acutely aware of his hawk-like gaze, minutely checking her out. She dared not look up into his eyes. She would be too lost in their depths. She wanted to take this relationship slow and not mess it up. It was her only hope. She didn't have anyone else but him. 

She climbed into the bed and lay down beside him. So many memories came flooding in of the first time when she had slept here, on his bed. They had passionately kissed and slept in each other's arms that day. Would they do the same this time too or would it be different? Would he make love to her tonight after knowing how she felt for him?

Troy wrapped her in his arms and kissed her forehead. "Are you happy, Athena?" He asked suddenly. Athena nodded, looking up at him with adoration. She snuggled close to his bare torso.

"Yes, very happy, " she said, sighing contentedly. "And you?" 

"Immensely! I'm on cloud nine," said Troy with a grin. "Good night babe! Sleep tight tonight coz tomorrow I might change my mood and claim what's mine," he hissed in her ear. 

Athena smiled and closed her eyes. As she fell into a blissful slumber, she saw granny's smiling face in front of her. She looked immensely happy at last!