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“You don’t have to be careful with me. I won’t shatter into a million pieces,” I say between kisses.

He traces along my jawline, pressing into my neck where I feel his warm breath and soft lips circle over my tender flesh. “I know you won’t shatter,” he whispers, the words softly caressing my skin as he speaks. “You’re strong, Ainsley, to get through what you have in the past. I love savoring every kiss with you. I want to savor every inch of you, if you’ll let me.”

My mouth drops open as he nuzzles into my neck. My body is alight with the heat of his words and his careful but sexy movements. Every touch sends a shiver down my spine. I never knew a man could be like this. That you could tell him all your secrets and he could make it better with a soft touch and a few words.I could burn the letter.I like the idea.

Somehow, he’s put everything into perspective while we’ve been sitting here in his truck.

I lean in to appreciate him further. His scent fills my nostrils; every pulsing heartbeat is yearning for him. Every nerve ending inside me wants him, and my body is humming to whatever tune he’s playing.

“I’ll let you,” I whisper. “I’ll let you do whatever you want.”

He pulls back to kiss me again on the lips. It’s still soft and slow, but his grip on my waist tells me he’s fighting the urge to not take things further right here and now. “Music to my ears,” he says with a dark, rumbly chuckle that doesn’t just soften the edges of my heart and my very being. It actually melts them.

CHAPTER 18

COLE

I takeeverything in about what she just told me as I drive us home. Ains texts Emma on the way to let her know we bailed earlier than expected since they both arrived together, and she didn’t want her to be worried.

I’ve enjoyed tonight, but now I need to get my girl home and to bed. The thing I didn’t enjoy was hearing how someone so close to her could hurt her so badly; Ainsley and her mom. Then to make them feel as though they were guilty of something, when he was the one cheating and lying? It’s unfathomable to me. I’ve always respected my folks and felt lucky to have two wonderful parents. It makes me appreciate them more when I hear stories like Ainsley’s. I know it couldn’t have been easy, but it hasn’t made her a bitter and twisted person in the slightest.

She’s sweet and soft, but also strong and independent, despite a lifetime of being unaccepted by her dad. The guy sounds like a complete asshole

When we park, I jostle the keys and ask her, “My place or yours?”

“Should we see where Fudge is?” The smile I love and adore has returned to her face. “He’s the deciding factor?” My shoulders shake withlaughter. Fudge would approve.

“He makes most of the decisions around here,” Ains points out.

“Unbelievable, but true.” The first place we first check is my place, but there’s no sign of him. He’s usually a good boy and doesn’t venture very far from home, so I trust he’s over at Ainsley’s house waiting for her arrival. Nice going, Fudgey.

When we walk in her back door straight into the kitchen, I look down at the fluffy bed she bought for him and have to laugh at the sight. There he lays, snuggled up in front of the tiny wood fireplace Ainsley left going to keep the place warm. Its embers still burn and my cat seems to love it; his legs splayed out and his eyes squeezed shut.

“I see where his loyalty lies,” I tut, but I’m far from upset. I love that he loves her.

And maybe I do, too. My heart buzzes at the thought. I’ve never been in love before.

“I’m sure he knew you were coming over here,” she says.

I stalk toward her as she puts her purse down on the table and grabs the kettle in one hand.Oh baby, the last thing we’re going to be doing is drinking tea.

She catches sight of me right behind her as she puts the kettle down and turns her head. I grab her around the waist and she lets out a little squeal. “Cole!”

“You makin’ tea,baby girl?” I nuzzle into her neck, my hard length pressing into the top of her ass as she tries and fails to light the burner.

“Just busying myself.” Her voice is a pant that doesn’t help the throbbing in my pants. “I think this is broken.”

“You can busy yourself by getting naked,” I murmur, bumping my hips into her.

She shudders as I breathe into her neck, spreading soft kisses along her creamy skin. Skin I want to dive into and get lost in. Skin I want all over mine. “Ohhh.” She wiggles her ass into my crotch, which in turn makes me groan. That is so damned sexy.

I only let go of her to shrug my jacket off and let it fall to the floor.

“Which way is the bedroom?” I continue to kiss her neck as she forgets about the stove and presses her hands into the kitchen bench top, rocking my hips against her ass in a slow, seductive rhythm.

“Just down the hall.” She flails her arm toward the left and I chuckle, stepping back.

She turns and looks up at me, her face flushed and her eyes ablaze. Thank fuck she’s smiling again.