He cupped the back of my head, stroking my nape. “No one’s done that in a long time.”
“Then they’re foolish.” I worked my way across his chest, finding scars I hadn’t noticed before, each one a story written on his skin. “Every single one of them.”
I found a second scar on his shoulder and kissed that too. Then one near his throat.
“Haley.” My name came out rough.
“Hmm?”
“If you keep that up, we’re going to go again.”
“Would that be bad?”
“You’re going to be sore tomorrow.”
“I’ll live.”
“I’m serious.”
I looked up at him. “So am I.”
But exhaustion was pulling at me, making my eyelids heavy. The adrenaline from earlier had worn off, leaving behind the kind of exhaustion that lived in my marrow.
He noticed. “Sleep.”
“I’m not tired. I’m ready for round two. I think I should ride you this time.”
“As much as I’d adore seeing your breasts jiggle as you ride me, you’re lying.”
“Maybe a little.”
He adjusted our position so I was tucked against his side, my head on his chest.
“Tell me something you’ve never told anyone else,” I said, fighting the pull of sleep.
He was quiet for so long I thought he wasn’t going to answer.
“I’m afraid I won’t be good enough,” he finally said. “That you’ll wake up and realize you could do better.”
The vulnerability in his admission made my throat close off. “You’re wrong.”
“It’s true.”
“No, it’s not. You’re—” I stopped, trying to find the right words. “You’re exactly what I need. Even when I didn’t know I needed it.”
“You might change your mind when your father finds out.”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.” I tilted my head up to look at him. “I’m falling in love with you. No, that’s not right. I’m not falling anymore. I already fell. I’m just…here now. In love with you. Completely. That’s not going to change because my dad gets upset about it.”
“Haley. Love.” His eyes searched mine. “You mean that.”
“Every word.”
He kissed me again, and I tasted everything he wasn’t saying in it.
