“Are you all right?”
“I’ve never been better,” she sniffled.
“Why the tears?” He tilted her chin up and brushed them away with the tips of his fingers.
“I believed for so long something was wrong with me, but with you, just now, everything was perfect. So perfect. I can’t believe I’m crying after sex. I swear I’m not usually like this.” She attempted to smile and let out a long sigh.
“That sex was perfect for me too. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you. Trust me, you’re a goddess. And it’s so different with someone you love, right?”
Is he saying he loves me?
His gaze flew to hers, and she nodded. She did love him.
“I’m afraid I’m feeling too much,” she admitted.
“It’s not feeling too much, because I’m feeling it too.” He squeezed her tighter to him. “I think I’ve loved you since we were kids—since that first time in the middle of the night when I saw you peering into the mirror looking so curious, with your gorgeous blonde hair wild around you. I think it’s safe to say you own my heart and my soul, and you always have,” he whispered.
Several more tears spilled down her cheeks, and Brayden kissed them away.
The intimate gesture gave her courage. “I dream about you all the time. When I’m in that place between sleep and awake, it’s like I’m always looking for you. It’s been that way for years,” said Scarlett, her throat thick. “I love you. I know it’s too soon, but I do.”
His hand moved up and down her back in long, soothing strokes. “Shh,” he said, trying to calm her. “It’s not too soon. I’m right there with you. I love you too—truly, I do. You saw me in the mirror when you met Nori, and we’re North Stars.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. “I knew it before, through the mirror. This pull to you was always in the back of my mind, pushing me to speak to you, making me dream about you. I’ve had so many dreams about you too. I’ve wondered so many times what we could be. My love for you runs so deep.”
Scarlett burst into tears of relief. Her embarrassment melted away, leaving only shining joy as he kissed her languorously for a long time.
Brayden broke away. “I’ll be right back,” he murmured. He slipped out of bed, and she was instantly chilled without his body next to hers. As he crossed the room to the bathroom, his strong, naked body brought her desire bubbling to the surface again, shocking her with its refusal to subside.
When Brayden reemerged, she took his place in the bathroom. As she gazed in the mirror, she almost didn’t recognize herself. This version of Scarlett had a tattoo, her hair was a mess—shelookedlike she’d been thoroughly fucked—and her reflection radiated happiness.
She climbed into his bed, her limbs heavy.
“Let me hold you.” Brayden arranged her so her back was to his chest. He draped his arm over her, and their legs intertwined.
She was in a total state of bliss—until she thought ahead towhat would happen in the morning. How could she leave him here? She fell asleep thinking about Soleil.
Scarlett awoke in the dim light of Brayden’s room. She stretched her naked body and reveled in the delicious sensation of his arms around her.
Brayden stirred. She repositioned herself, threaded her leg through his, and burrowed into his warm chest.
“Good morning, gorgeous,” he said into her hair.
“Mmm. Last night was—”
“Everything.” His fingers moved along her bare back.
Brayden had just begun sleepily fondling Scarlett’s breast when a brisk knock at his door startled her, and his eyes flew open. He leaned down to kiss her before stepping into his boxers. She pulled the blanket up to her chin. Who was about to catch her in his room?
Brayden opened the door a crack.
“Goodmorning,” James said cheerily. “It’s 8 a.m. No morning run? Any reason why?” His chuckle was audible through the door.
Scarlett’s shoulders relaxed. James was preferable to Manon, Lachlan, or Beni.
Brayden blocked the room from view with his body. “I don’t have to be on base until midday today. What do you want?”
“So it’s a coincidence Manon can’t find Scarlett and you’re sleeping past six for the first time in months?”
Scarlett sat up.Shit.How worried was Manon? Especially after recent events.
