His eyes darkened. "I need to hear it."
"Yes." I pulled his mouth back to mine. "I'm sure. I want you, Eric. I always have."
He kissed me slow and deep this time, like he was trying to memorize the taste of me. His hands explored my body, learning new curves, finding old sensitive spots that made me gasp.
When he finally pushed inside me, I felt something crack open in my chest. Something I'd kept locked tight for four years.
"Look at me," he whispered.
I met his eyes, and the intensity there stole my breath. This wasn't just sex. Wasn't just physical release.
This was something deeper. Something terrifying.
Eric moved inside me with deliberate slowness, watching my face like he was afraid I'd disappear. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, needing him deeper.
"I missed you." The words escaped before I could stop them. "God, I missed you so much."
He buried his face in my neck. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
We moved together, finding the old rhythm like no time had passed. Building toward something that felt like coming home and falling apart all at once.
When I shattered, he was right there with me, my name on his lips.
After, we lay tangled together, sweaty and breathless. Eric's fingers traced lazy patterns on my shoulder. I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat slow.
This changed nothing. Changed everything.
I didn't know which scared me more.
"Stay," I heard myself say. "Tonight. Just stay."
His arms tightened around me. "I wasn't planning on leaving."
I smirked against his skin.
We'd see if that was true.
I'd heard it before.
8
IVY
His heartbeat was steady beneath my ear, his breaths even and calm. His fingers traced lazy circles on my shoulder as he held me close, and I tried to memorize the pattern, the pressure, the warmth of his skin against mine.
Something I didn't want to end.
"You're thinking too loud," Eric murmured.
I tilted my head to look at him. "How do you know I'm thinking at all?"
"I'd like to think I know you, and your breathing changed." His hand moved to cup my face. "What's going on in that head?"
You left me. You broke me. What if you do it again? You say you won't, but I've heard that before.
"Nothing." I pressed closer. "Just... this is surreal."
"Good surreal or bad surreal?"
