“I know,” I said. “I just want… this. You.”
That was it.
His mouth claimed mine again, his hands firm now, confident, pulling me closer until there was no space left to pretend we were still being careful. Heat bloomed between us, heavy and undeniable, my body responding in ways I hadn’t expected—and definitely hadn’t planned. But I always knew this was how it would be with Trigger and me.
When he finally broke the kiss, his forehead rested against mine again, his breathing uneven.
“This doesn’t end tonight,” he said quietly. “If we start this… I don’t walk away tomorrow.”
A lump formed in my throat.
“Good,” I said softly. “Neither do I.”
His lips curved into the faintest smile before he kissed me once more—slow, deep, unhurried.
Outside, the night stayed quiet.
Inside the cabin, wrapped in warmth and truth and the man who’d been holding himself back for far too long, I finally let myself feel safe enough to want more.
And for the first time in a year…
I let myself be wanted, too.
Trigger
Rylie didn't say a word; she simply pulled me close and kissed me. I could feel her hands trembling as they ran down my back. “This is all I want,” she whispered in a breath so delicate it seemed to flutter across my ear.
She touched my skin and kissed each scar.
She once asked me how I got them, and I refused to talk about them with her. Rylie decided she wouldn’t ask again; now was not the time. I only wanted to think about this and us.
“We’re not going to wear clothes tonight. That’s the rule.”
“Whose rules?” She whispered.
“Mine,” I said, kissing her neck, then I picked her up. Rylie wrapped her legs around me as I walked us to the bed. “I can’t get enough of you. Rylie, you’re inside me. You’re everywhere. I don’t want this to end. Promise me it won’t end.”
“This will never end,” she whispered.
We made love for hours before we both, exhausted, fell asleep.
I could feel her watching me, wondering if I was sleeping. She ran her hand down my chest, and I grabbed her wrist. Before she could respond, I pulled her on top of me. I wrapped my arms around her and rolled her onto her back. My knee nudgedher legs apart, and I stretched out between her thighs, bracing myself on my elbows as I looked down at her flushed face. I love her. I will always love her. She will be my only and last love.
I could feel her heart racing. Then she went utterly still and waited to see what I would do next. “Don’t let go of me,” she whispered almost inaudibly.
“I won’t, sweetheart. I’ll never let go.”
I could tell she didn’t realize she had spoken out loud.
17
Rylie
Iwoke slowly, wrapped in warmth.
Not just the crackling fire or the thick quilt pulled up around my shoulders—but him. Trigger’s arm was heavy across my waist, his hand resting low on my stomach like it belonged there. Like it had always belonged there.
For a moment, I stayed still.
