She presses her lips to mine. “It was perfect.”
My mouth curves into a grin. “Better than your toothbrush?”
She swats my chest. “Am I ever going to live that down?”
“Nope. Wait till you get the water flosser.”
She groans, burying her face in my chest. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re mine,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her head. “Even if I’m always competing with dental appliances.”
She giggles into my skin. “I mean… they don’t cuddle after.”
“Damn right they don’t.” I tighten my arms around her. “Bet they don’t dirty talk either.”
She hums, soft and satisfied. “Depends what setting you’ve got it on.”
I laugh, full belly laugh this time. “Now that’s an idea. A talking vibrator. Has anyone ever invented one of those?”
She holds me tighter, nuzzling into the hairs on my chest. “I doubt I’ll need any device while I have you.”
I stroke my knuckles down her spine, the laughter dying in my throat as reality settles back in. Because while I’m lying here with her wrapped around me like she’s my universe, my mind drifts to Oak—and how long we really have before he gets out and all hell breaks loose.
Because one thing’s for certain: this has an expiration date.
And whether it ends with me in a casket or her leaving for university—either way, one of us is going to end up heartbroken.
Maybe both of us.
12
FAITH
The sound of a revving engine wakes me and I roll over in bed, tangling my legs in the covers. A delicious ache between my thighs reminds me of last night, but Hayden’s not here.
I push the duvet from my legs and force myself out of bed. The laminate floor is cool on my tiptoes as I pad over to the window, twitching the curtain aside.
Down in the yard, Hayden’s shirtless, sweat glistening on his back as he leans over the bike with a screwdriver in hand. Muscles flex with every movement, tattoos shifting across his skin like art coming to life. His jeans ride low on his hips, oil smudged across his torso. He’s never looked as hot as he does right now.
My clit tingles just watching him—remembering the way he kissed me last night like I was the most precious thing he’d ever handled.
Everything feels different this morning.
I feel different.
My gaze shifts to the bed. The crumpled sheets are still tangled at the foot, the faintest pink stain near the centre catching the light.
Proof I’m not a girl anymore.
It wasn’t just sex. He didn’t just take something from me.
He gave himself to me, too.
He worshipped me like a goddess and a woman all in one breathless night. Breaking me, but making me into something new. His.
I move to the bed, smoothing out the sheets with care, then strip them completely and gather them in my arms, a smile pulling at my lips.
I feel taller this morning. Stronger. More me than I’ve ever been.
