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Beckett braces himself as his weight bears down on me, and I welcome the pressure, wanting him as close as physically possible.

Our ragged breaths sync, and I smile at how amazing I feel with his length still inside me.

I’ve had sex before. Obviously, because I have a daughter, and yet at the same time… I’ve never had sex. Not like that. If I’d known it could feel like this, I might have sought it out much sooner. Though as I contemplate that, a dull knot tightens my stomach, because I don’t think it’s that easy. I think it’s Beckett.

He was working me like he knows my body, mind, and soul. And without that, it’s the careless sex I’ve had before.

“Is it cliché to say that’s the best sex I’ve ever had?” I ask after my breathing has slowed and Beckett’s pulled out of me to lie on the bed. He chuckles as he curls an arm around my waist and I swivel to face him.

“I know I don’t have much to compare. But that felt…” I trail off, dipping my face into his chest until he lifts my chin, once again forcing me to look at him. A move of his that I’ve grown to love.

“I know exactly what you’re feeling because I feel it too.” He smiles before his face drops. “If only⁠—”

“Nope,” I cut him off, pressing a finger to his lips. “Not tonight. You said you were staying, so that means we can have the tough conversation in the morning. Tonight, we’re in the moment. The here and now. Just us.” I repeat what he said earlier, and the words travel through me like a drug in my veins.

It’s just us.

And I’m going to enjoy it.

The sun beams across my eyes but I don’t flinch. Beckett’s featherlight touch brushing along my skin is keeping me relaxed, and I can’t imagine anything fazing me right now. After having sex a second time, I fell asleep in Beckett’s arms, only stirring again when the morning birds woke.

I’d lain still for a beat, not wanting to wake Beckett, but I should have known he was awake, because it wasn’t long before I felt his touch.

He presses a kiss to my shoulder and I release a soft sigh, rolling over to meet his eyes.

“Good morning, sleepy head.”

“Sleepy head? The sun has only just risen.”

“And I’ve been awake since four.”

“Four?!” I lift up, staring at him wide-eyed as he shrugs.

“Habit,” he says with a laugh, nuzzling into my neck like he did last night. “You’re cute when you sleep,” he adds and my jaw drops.

“Please tell me you’re joking.”

“That you’re cute?”

“No, that you were watching me.”

“Oh. I’m joking. I got up and went to the bathroom, then tried unsuccessfully to fall back to sleep.”

I rest my elbows on the bed and sink my chin onto my hand, staring up at him when he twists to face me properly. “I can’t imagine being as disciplined as you. Sure, sometimes I'm awake at four, but that’s usually because Ava’s woken me, or she’s away at her dad’s and I panic after hearing a strange noise.”

“You don’t panic when she’s home?” Beckett’s brows pull in and he frowns.

“No, because I know she’s safe when she’s here. It’s almost like my brain takes the noises as a sign that I need to check in with Travis.”

“Do you?”

“Always, much to his annoyance.” I laugh softly, recalling his agitated groan. “It’s fun to piss him off every now and then.”

Beckett smirks before his expression falls, the humor gone. “Is he good to you?”

“What?” His question catches me off guard. It’s nothing new; Henley must have asked the same thing a billion times. But with Beckett, it feels like it’s coming from a different place. Henley’s protectiveness stems from her anger toward Travis—she’s like a mama bear when it comes to me and him. But Beckett… Something tells me he’s hanging on to my answer because he hates the idea of walking away if I’m already hurting.

“He can be a dick sometimes, but he’s good to us. He pays his fair share for anything Ava needs, and I think he means well. I wouldn’t be opposed to him spending more quality time with Ava when she’s at his house. But despite what I said earlier, I trust him to keep her safe.”