“You don’t have to be.” His voice was raspy and soft and filled with so much promise.
He leaned in slowly, giving me every chance to pull away.
I didn’t. I couldn’t if I wanted to, because I had always been drawn to him with an intensity that terrified me. His kiss was soft at first, then deepened like every unspoken thing between us finally had a place to land. His thumb brushed away a tear I hadn’t felt fall. The porch light glowed warm behind us as he took my hand and guided me inside, the quiet house wrappingaround us like a confession. For the first time in years, maybe ever, I wasn’t afraid of what came next.
CHAPTER 20
Harmony
Eric kissed me like he was trying to relearn me, slow, reverent, and careful in ways that made something inside me unravel. His hands traced the length of my spine, warm and grounding, and the soft catch of my breath felt loud in the quiet room. When he slid my sweater over my head, he paused just long enough to look at me like he’d been carrying the memory of me for years.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “You aren’t so bad yourself.”
His grin turned wicked before he lifted me and laid me gently on the bed. I let out a startled laugh; it was real and unguarded. It felt like remembering a sunlight I didn’t know I’d lost. He tugged my flannel pants down, fingers brushing bare skin.
“I missed this,” he said softly.
“We were teenagers,” I reminded him.
He chuckled against my hip. “We were good even then.” His voice dropped lower. “Now I know exactly what I’m doing.”
And he did.
His mouth closed around my breast, tongue circling until my back arched. His hand slid between my thighs, confident and sure, and pleasure sparked bright and sharp through me.
“Eric. . .” My voice broke. “I… it’s been a long time. I haven’t been with anyone since . . .”
He froze only for a heartbeat. Not pulling away. Just softening.
“Harmony.” His gaze held mine. “Was I the last?”
I nodded.
Something flickered through his eyes, I couldn’t tell if it was pain or tenderness, but it was something protective, that much I knew. He didn’t say anything else. He just kissed me gently and moved lower, breath hot against my stomach.
“Then I’ll take my time,” he whispered.
When his mouth settled between my thighs, my fingers tangled in his hair. Pleasure unfurled, sharp and consuming, his tongue moving slowly and deliberately until I was shaking beneath him, holding on to him like a lifeline.
“Eric…” My voice fractured. “I can’t be quiet when you?—”
He reached over, tapped his phone, and soft music filled the room. “I’ve got you.”
“Do you bring a lot of women up here for this?” I teased weakly, insecurity slipping out before I could stop it.
He lifted his head, eyes dark. “I don’t bring women here. And you. . .” His hand traveled up my thigh. “Are not a hookup.”
The truth in his voice nearly broke me. He kissed me again, deep and hungry, and when I pulled him on top of me, everything clicked into place. The years apart, the fear, the wanting. . . every piece snapped together like they’d been waiting.
I pushed his pants down. My breath caught at the sight of him hard, thick, and ready.
“You look nervous,” he murmured.
“You’re… huge.”
His laugh warmed my neck. “I’ll be gentle.”
