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Her eyes follow my fingers as I loosen my tie and slip it over my head. Her breath hitches as I undo the buttons of my shirt and remove it. She pulls the duvet up to her chin when I toe off my shoes and socks and remove my pants, leaving me in my boxers.

“Still good?” I ask, not wanting to push her too far out of her comfort zone…yet. Wordlessly, she snakes an arm out from under the covers and pats the spot next to her.

We sit for a few moments, simply staring at one another before she speaks. “I’m not mad at you.” She says the words so quietly that I’m not sure if I imagined it or not.

“What?”

“I’m not mad at you.” Her voice is stronger now, more confident. “I understand that we were both manipulated and lied to. I know that you tried—many times—to reach out to me. We could have resolved this a while ago if I’d answered your calls, but I…”

“You were hurt,” I finish for her. “I don’t blame you for not picking up. I probably wouldn’t have either, if our roles were reversed.”

“Has…has your dad always been like that?”

“Honestly? Yeah. But it’s gotten progressively worse over the years.”

I feel her shift under the covers, freezing when I feel her hand brush against my side before she lays it over my heart. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Good fucking riddance. Seeing my mom put him in his place tonight was phenomenal.”

Abby Jane cracks a small smile. “Yeah, it really was.” Slowly, she scoots closer to me, snuggling into my chest. “I do have a question though.”

“What’s up?”

“Stacia?”

“Ah. Yeah. That was actually all West. The morning after the shitshow at The Colony Grill, while I was at my parents’ house, he went to her and explained everything and got her on board. She and I texted all week—she kept me in the loop with how you were, and she helped me plan everything for tonight.”

“So that’s why your tie matched my dress!” Abby Jane laughs, and it sounds like the best song I’ve ever heard. “That sneaky, conniving bitch!”

“I’m basically forever indebted to her. But…you’re worth it.”

“Fuck yeah, I am. Don’t you forget it either!”

I roll us so she’s flat on her back, with me hovering over her. “Missed that sassy, smart mouth.”

“Let’s get y’all reacquainted then,” she murmurs as she spreads her legs, leaving me room to settle between them.

I grind into her, and she moans. “Missed that too.” I practically growl the words as my inner caveman chantsMine! Mine! Mine!

She wraps her legs around my waist and uses her toes to push my boxers down. “I want you. I’ve missed you.” She pants the words, and I fucking love it— love that she’s just as desperate for me as I am for her.

“Want you too,” I groan as I push her panties to the side so I can slide home. “Fuck, Abby Jane, you feel so good. Like heaven.”

“Yesss,” she hisses as I move inside her, using my body to show her just how sorry I am and how much I love her. “I love you. Don’t stop.”

“Never, Abs, never.” I mean the words in every way imaginable. I’ll never stop giving her pleasure. I’ll nevernotput her first. I’ll never stop loving her. I’ll never let her go ever again.

CHAPTER 28

AJ

Brockand I made love on and off all night long, until we were too physically exhausted for more. It seemed like the best idea at the time. But as we drag our tired bodies out of bed to go to his mother’s house for breakfast…yeah, not so much.

“C’mon Abs, we gotta get up,” Brock murmurs as he drags his fingertips over the dip between my hip bone and rib cage.

“Five more minutes,” I beg. “I’m so tired.”

He moves his fingers lowers still. “I think we’re…what’s the equivalent of a sex hangover? Over-orgasmed?”