Her face softens, the tears slowing, and then I watch as something extraordinary happens. The tension drains from hershoulders. The protective curl of her spine straightens. She stops tapping her fingers against the mattress.
It’s like watching armor fall away, piece by piece, until all that’s left is Clover. Just Clover. Trusting me with the parts of herself she’s learned to protect with everything she has.
“Why me? Why am I so different?”
The truth rushes out before I can process it. “Because it’s only ever been you, Clover.”
Her chin quivers, and it guts me because I did that to her. “So you want me to kiss you?”
“Yes,” I sigh as though I just got every wish I’ve ever begged for. “You’ll never be a transaction, Honeybee. When you’re near me, I—I feel whole. I want to look into your eyes as I sink balls deep in you. I want to hold you after. I want to fucking cuddle, and that’s never happened before. I want to wake up with your head on my chest and my hands on your breasts. I just want?—”
She launches herself at me as though her legs are attached to springs. I catch her with a grunt and tumble to the bed with her straddling my waist.
Clover cradles my cheeks in her small palms. It’s a gentle gesture, one filled with kindness and truth. With honesty, loyalty, and above all else, it’s filled with love.
Then her grin changes her entire face. “I just need to know if you’re clear of STIs. And if you want me. Here. Like this. With all of my…quirks and fears.”
My heart rearranges itself into something with only enough space for Clover.
Instead of answering right away, I flip her. She’s a wild mass of limbs and hair as I come down on top of her. “I would never endanger you, sweetheart. Never. I’m clear, and I want all of you.”
Her lashes flutter, then she spreads her thighs to grant me more access. And as she does, something clicks into place inside my chest.
Not a memory—something deeper. A bone-crushing recognition that this is where I belong.
Turns out, home has honey-colored eyes and a heart brave enough to love someone who forgot her.
Her hands fall to the string of my sweatpants, and I press myself up onto my forearms to give her room. With trembling fingers, she makes quick work of the tie before I take over and strip us both naked.
“If you keep staring at me like that, Clover, I can’t be held responsible for what I do.”
She scoffs and shakes her head. “You’re going to destroy me with that thing.”
Settling back over her, I guide my crown through her lower lips until it’s pressing against her clit.
Clover arches her back with a shuddering breath I feel all the way to my bones.
“I’ll try to be gentle,” I vow, lowering my mouth and taking her nipple between my teeth.
Back and forth I slide, coating myself in her arousal.
“Fuck,” I growl. “I don’t have a condom.”
“Please,” she begs prettily. “Valen, please. I’m on the pill.”
Her trust collects my heart in a steel trap, and only she holds the key. After everything she just learned, she still trusts me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” The conviction in that one word is all the permission I need.
Notching myself at her entrance, I take a deep breath. She’s so fucking tight. A flash of fear crosses my mind—I might actually hurt her.
Sadness clobbers me upside the head. I don’t remember our first time.
“Did it hurt?” My voice is too raw. Too scared to know the answer. “Our first time. Did I hurt you?”
The glazed look in her eyes shifts as she studies me. “No, Valen. You’ve never hurt me. Not intentionally.”
Relief has my eyes fluttering closed. “I wish I remembered, Clover. Fuck. I wish I remembered. You feel like someone I was always supposed to know. You feel like my forever, and I don’t remember how we got here. I hate myself for that.”
