My lips trembled as the truth rose from somewhere deep inside me. “I was so scared you’d choose her over us.”
He exhaled like that confession gutted him. Then he stood, his hands hovered near my arms until I leaned in. Only then did his fingers curl gently around my elbows.
“I love you so damn much, Callie. You’re my family now. You and this child.”
The wall I’d built inside finally crumbled, and I collapsed against him. His arms wrapped around me instantly. I pressed my face to his chest, sobbing into his suit while his hands cradled the back of my head as though I was something precious.
“I love you too,” I cried into him. “I never stopped. I just needed to know you’d fight for us harder than anyone else.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I will. For the rest of my life.”
Tilting my head back and seeing the sincerity in his eyes, I believed him.
His lips crashed into mine then, like he was pouring every unspoken apology into the kiss. I gasped against his mouth, my fingers tangling in his hair as the world narrowed to just the two of us.
Ethan scooped me up, carrying me to our bedroom. He laid me down gently on our bed, the one we'd shared before everything shattered. “Let me worship you like I should’ve every night.”
I nodded, my breath hitching as he peeled off my shirt, his hands shaking like it was our first time. “Ethan.”
“Shh, sweetheart.” He kissed my collarbone before trailing lower, his lips feather-light against my skin. “I've got you.”
He undid my bra with one practiced flick, his mouth closing over my nipple immediately. He was gentle at first, but then he teased with his teeth, a sharp nip that sent lightning through me. My breasts were already sensitive from the pregnancy, every lick and bite amplified.
“Oh, yes,” I moaned, my hands fisting the duvet.
He switched to the other side, his hand palming the first, rolling the pebbled peak between his fingers.
“Always so beautiful,” he whispered against my skin. “But carrying our baby, you’re a goddess.”
His free hand slid down, hooking into my leggings and panties, tugging them off in one smooth motion. I was bare beneath him, exposed and aching, but his gaze was pure adoration. He kissed my inner thigh, his breath hot against my core. “I’ve missed this. Missed you.”
So had I, but before I could respond, his mouth was on me. His tongue was flattened as he lapped at my clit in slow, deliberate strokes.
I cried out, my hips bucking, but he pinned me down with one arm across my waist. “Easy, baby. Let me take my time.”
I threaded my fingers through his hair while he worshiped me like a man starved, alternating between long licks and gentle sucks. His fingers circled my entrance before dipping inside. One, then two, curling to hit that spot that made stars explode behind my eyelids.
The pressure built fast, my body hypersensitive from hormones and weeks of denial. “Ethan, please.”
“Come for me,” he growled against my damp flesh, his voice vibrating through my core. “Let go, sweetheart.”
I shattered, my thighs clamping around his head as waves crashed over me, my cries echoing off the walls. He didn’t stop, eating me through my release and drawing out every tremor until I was boneless and gasping.
But Ethan wasn’t done. He kissed his way up my body, lingering on my belly to press soft, reverent presses there. Splaying his hand wide, he rasped, “Our baby. I love you both so much.”
Tears pricked my eyes again as he met my gaze, his own glossy. “You’re both mine, forever.”
He stripped out of his suit then, his dick springing free when his dress pants and boxer briefs hit the floor. His shaft was hard, thick, and already leaking at the tip. I reached for him, wrapping my hand around his length and stroking slowly.
He groaned, his head falling back. “Fuck, Callie.”
“I need you,” I whispered, guiding him to my entrance.
He pushed in slowly, inch by inch, his eyes locked on mine. The stretch was exquisite, filling me completely. “So tight. Perfect.”
We moved together then. Slowly at first, a rhythm of healing, his thrusts deep and measured. But need built fast, and his hips snapped harder as I wrapped my legs around him.
“More,” I begged, my nails digging into his back.
