“Still heaven,” he whispered, dropping his head into the crook of my neck as he picked up the pace. Sweat beaded on my temple and dripped down my cheek as Jesse’s mouth found mine in a sloppy kiss. I lifted my hips, meeting him thrust for thrust while trying to muffle the creak of the mattress.
“Are you with me? I can’t hold back, Em.”
Jesse shook in my arms, slipping a hand between us to thumb my soaked clit. I came hard, digging my nails into Jesse’s back as he spilled into me.
He collapsed on top of me, chasing his breath as he held up a finger.
“Give me a minute.”
“Take your time,” I said, dropping my head against his shoulder as I tried to slow my racing pulse. My body was wrung out and spent in every way.
“For the record, this is not why I asked you to stay with me tonight. I didn’t expect this.” He propped an elbow onto the pillow. “I sure as hell hoped for it, but I didn’t think it would happen again for a long time.”
“I know that. I didn’t expect it either.”
“I’ll be right back. Just stay here, okay?”
“Jesse, I told you.” I scraped my nails up and down the trails of sweat on his back. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You did. And I believe you. Just need to get used to it.” He kissed my forehead and stood.
I turned onto my side, my eyelids already growing heavy as all the uncertainty and trepidation that had kept me awake began to dissipate. I started to drift off when the bed dipped behind me.
“So, can you sleep now?” Jesse kissed the top of my head and pulled me back.
I turned to face him, smiling at his tousled hair and sleepy grin.
“I think so.”
He wrapped his arms around me and brought me into his chest.
“I said I was staying. You don’t have to keep me in a death grip,” I joked as I cuddled into him.
“I know.” He dipped his head to meet my gaze. “I’ve waited a long time to be back here, so like I said…” He smoothed my hair away from my eyes. “I’m getting used to it.”
23
JESSE
“Ready for your last game?”I asked Maddie as she scarfed down a waffle.
“Yep,” she murmured as she swallowed the last bite. “Emily said that we get trophies today. Even though we didn’t win anything since there’s no champion.” She shrugged and gulped down the rest of her orange juice.
“You finished your first season of soccer. That’s still something. And your first sports trophy.” I scooped up my empty cup of coffee and set it in the sink. “Your uncle had to wait until senior year to get one of those.”
“You have a trophy. Where is it?” She peered up at me with a scrunched nose.
“Grams wanted to hold on to it. And I think Grandpa liked having one kid sort of win a sports award, so I let them keep it.”
She giggled at my wink.
“I bet Emily has a lot of trophies.”
“Somany.” Maddie’s jaw went slack as her eyes widened. “Medals too. Her room was nothing but a sea of silver and gold.” I bent down to kiss the top of her head. “I wish I could get you up for school two hours earlier than you’re supposed to be like you are before a game.”
“Soccer is fun. Easier to get up.”
“I’m sure.” I nodded, letting go of a yawn.
