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“I’m in love with you,” I said. “I know it’s too soon and I should be practical, but tonight... It was perfect. You are perfect. And you don’t need to worry about saying it back, but—”

He silenced me with a kiss, and when he pulled back, he said, “I love you too, Farrah. With everything I have.”

I pulled him to me again, kissing him deeply, needing to be closer to him than these clothes would allow.

I ran my fingers over the buttons on his shirt, loosening each one. When they were free, he slid the shirt down his muscled arms and took off his pants and underwear, baring himself to me.

Then he had me stand, turn, his fingers leaving a trail of heat down my back as he slid the zipper down and unclipped my strapless bra. I felt the length of his erection against my back and then side as I turned to face him.

He gripped my shoulders, taking me in. “Have I mentioned how beautiful you are?” His palms slid down my arms. “Every inch of you tells a story... The life you created, the fun you’ve had, your indulgences.” He ran his fingers over Cora’s C-section scar. “Your pain.” His fingers found my jaw, causing our gazes to meet. “Your resilience.”

I flattened my hand against his chest, thinking of the story his body told. One of dedication, strength, and focus. But I couldn’t help thinking, for him, the best story was his heart that lay under the surface.

As if he could sense my thoughts, he covered my hand with his own, and kissed me. This kiss felt different than all the ones before. Instead of hungry or desperate or savory, this kiss was full oflove.

He walked me back to the bed, laying me down on his luxurious linens, my head sinking into the surface.

My fingers flowed through the short hair at the back of his head as I held him and kissed him with everything I had. His erection pressed into my hip, and the brimming feeling overflowed my heart, spreading through my body.

“Gage, I need you closer.”

He reached toward the night stand for a condom.

“I’m on the pill,” I said, not wanting to wait another moment.

“Are you sure?” he asked, his gaze serious.

I kissed him in confirmation, pulling him closer.

He angled his tip at my entrance and rolled his hips over me, filling me to the hilt. I closed my eyes and held on to his shoulders, needing all he had to give.

“Eyes on me,” he said, pausing inside me.

I opened my eyes, meeting his blue gaze. What I saw there... amazed me. There was reverence, adoration, vulnerability...love.

We were making love. For minutes or hours, it didn’t matter. Time existed outside of us and this world of possibilities Gage opened up to me. My past may have hurt, but this man was giving me a future beyond anything I ever imagined.

The realization sent me over the edge. “I’m coming,” I gasped, clenching around him.

He rode all my waves and spilled himself inside me as he said my name.

41

Gage

Usually, in the mornings, I got out of bed to the sound of my alarm, changed into workout clothes, and went to the gym in my building to sweat for an hour. But today, Farrah’s soft body molded against my back. Her arm curled around my middle, and her soft breaths landed against my bare shoulder blades.

She was spooning me, and it was the best thing I’d experienced in my life.

This entire weekend had been filled with firsts. Bests.

The first time I told a woman I loved her since my high school sweetheart.

The first time I introduced a girlfriend to my siblings in just as long.

The first time I’d ever made love with my entire heart on the line.

I closed my eyes, savoring her warmth, her touch, the way she made me feel so comfortable even in her sleep.