“What can I do to help you sleep, beautiful?”
“Nothing. I’ll fall asleep soon, I promise. I just can’t shut off my brain. Every time I start to drift, another thought hits.”
“What are you thinking about?”
“I don’t know. Life?”
A low laugh rumbled through my chest. “How specific.”
She groaned. “This is going to sound so selfish…but it’s been over twelve hours since I talked to Hunter. Last time I was away from him this long, I made myself sick with worry. This time feels different. Being away from him right now feels like a gift.”
“Doesn’t sound selfish at all.” I smoothed a hand over her back, savoring her silken skin.
“No? I bet Vanessa and her crew would judge me for it.”
“Maybe. But we’ve already established they’re assholes. Who cares what they’d think?”
“You’re right.” The tension in her shoulders eased. “And I know Hunter’s spending the time in a good way. Getting to know his father is important. Being around me when I’m this upset would be worse for him.”
“Can I make a confession?”
“Of course.” She lifted her head, and even in the darkness, her stare captivated me. “You’ve listened to enough of mine.”
“I really enjoyed spending time with Hunter. He’s great, Jamie. Truly. And I’d like to hang out with him again…if I didn’t mess up too badly with the foul language.”
She smiled, resting her chin on her hand. “That’s sweet.”
“That wasn’t my real confession.” I smirked. “I wanted you to know you’re not the only one enjoying private time. As happy as I was with your kid, I’m grateful for more time alone with you.”
A smile quirked the corners of her lips, and her eyes filled with heat. Her hand drifted up my chest, nails scoring lightly before gripping my shoulder.
“I don’t want to spend all our time sleeping.” She dipped her head, trailing kisses where her hand had been.
“You sure?”
She answered with a slow, sensual kiss. Despite the exhaustion, my body came alive under hers.
Sex couldn’t mend the pain, loss, or fear, but it could push them aside for a while. And if it’s what she wanted, what she needed, I was more than willing.
She reached for the condoms in the bedside drawer, her breast brushing my chest, thighs gripping me, her silky hair trailing over my skin.
I watched with fascination as she tore the packet with her teeth, then sheathed me with careful precision.
I’d never thought of safe sex as anything more than an act of necessity, but watching her anticipation build as her delicate hands worked the rubber down my hardened shaft, seeing the need reflected in her eyes as she gripped me tightly, knowing her own excitement was escalating as she prepared to take me…suddenly safe sex was the most erotic thing I’d ever fucking witnessed.
We groaned in unison as our bodies joined, troubles falling away. Nothing had ever felt like being inside Jamie.
Nothing.
Fucking her was like a goddamn communion of our souls. The ecstasy on her angelic face was more magnificent than any masterpiece. My name on her lips, more melodic than any symphony. When she came apart, pulling me right along with her, we found a place where only we existed. Where all we needed was each other to make things right.
This was it. The moment I was lost.
Fuck. Caleb was right.
Why had I ever tried to deny it?
I was head over heels, completely, ridiculously, fairy-tale style, stupidly in love with Jamie.
