Within minutes, he proved her wrong with deep thrusts and fingers that knew just where to touch her and kisses that made her head spin.
After, they held on tight to each other, breathing hard and coming down from the highest of highs.
Eventually, he moved to his side, bringing her with him, wrapping her up in his love and warmth.“Are you okay?”
“You really have to ask?”
“Today’s been a lot.Soaring highs, crushing lows—and I’m sorry both those things ended up happening today.”
“Don’t apologize for one of the sweetest moments of my entire life.I’ll never forget our first trip to the beach.”
“Okay, I won’t apologize,” he said, smiling.“How’re you feeling?”
“I feel good, all things considered.I’ll always be sad for Gabriel and the kids, but I’m thankful for you and for this and for a second chance at love.Not everyone gets that.”
“No, they don’t.”
“How’re you feeling?”
“Lucky, blessed, cautiously optimistic, a little nervous about suddenly having two little kids in my life who’ve just lost their dad.”
“You’re great with them.”
“I’m okay with them for an afternoon, but how will I be on a daily basis?”
“I guess we’ll see how that goes, right?We can ease you in.”
“I don’t want to be eased in.I want to go all in.Right now.”
“Julian…”
“I want to show you something.”
“Now?”
“Right now.”
He got out of bed and extended a hand to help her up, steadying her when her legs wobbled under her.
“You’ve turned my muscles to jelly.”
His smug, satisfied grin made her laugh.“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“Wasn’t it?”
“I can’t believe you expect me to walk around your house naked.”
“Why not?There’s no one else here.”Taking her hand, he led her out of his room, down the hallway, past another bathroom, to show her three more bedrooms.“One for Theo, one for Mila and a third for guests or an office for you or whatever you want to do with it.I have an office downstairs that I rarely use that could be turned into a playroom for the kids.Do you want to see it?”
Deeply touched by the message he was sending, she said, “I’ll look the next time I’m down there.”
“There’s plenty of room for you guys, or we could get another place that you help to choose if that’s what you want.”
“I love this house and that you have a little yard and the street isn’t as busy as some of the others around here.”
“There’s an awesome elementary school in this neighborhood, too.”
“I know.Denny’s Realtor friend told me when we rented the house.”
