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Our breaths mingle, eyes locked. Every movement is filled with trust. Moans escape me as pleasure winds tighter, stronger, drawing us closer to release. I grip his shoulders, surrendering to this man who holds my heart in his hands.
“Brody,” I gasp as the orgasm rushes through me in powerful, electric pulses.
His eyes darken, and he groans, his grip tight as he finds his own release. My name tumbles from his lips. “My Harp.”
Breathless and trembling, he kisses me so damn sweetly, pouring every emotion into me as he hovers above me. He presses a kiss against my forehead, breathing into my hair. “You make me feel alive.”
Joy and warmth flood my chest.
“Same,” I whisper, smiling against him. “I could get used to this.”
His arms tighten around me, holding me even closer. “Good,” he says. “Because I don’t ever want to wake up without you again.”
I lift my head, eyes meeting his, feeling the sincerity and depth of emotion behind his words. I feel the same.
Brody and I slide out of bed and take a quick shower together.
After we get dressed, I walk into the kitchen and see there’s a pot of freshly brewed coffee. He must’ve made it when he woke up earlier.
Brody snatches two mugs from the cabinet and fills them full.
“It’s still hot,” he says, handing me one of the steaming mugs. “Best part of waking up is …” A teasing smile tugs at his lips. “You.”
I blush as I take a sip. “Us,” I correct.
He moves closer and I lean into him, enjoying slow mornings where we can just be. It’s peaceful, and this time with him is something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
Brody’s phone vibrates on the counter, and I see Asher’s name pop up on his screen. I glance up at him, and tension settles in his shoulders.
I know that look, and I know something’s wrong.
“What’s going on?” I ask, remembering he slipped out of bed to answer his phone this morning.
He sighs and reaches for his phone. “Someone snapped a picture of us kissing in town. Micah’s on a rampage and is playing the wounded fiancé card.”
Seconds later, he’s showing me the proof. The photo takes my breath away—the two of us kissing passionately beneath the umbrella in the rain. It’s sexy, and it makes me smile, but that fades quickly when I read the comments. I’m being called a cheater, a liar, a skank, and a whore, among many other things. My hand shakes because Micah isn’t just coming for me; he’s determined to destroy my reputation. Some people defend me, and my heart aches with gratitude, but this isn’t enough.
“What the fuck?” I whisper. “Why are they saying that’s my engagement ring?” I hold up my hand, clearly showing that the infinity ring is on my right hand. It was my mother’s, a good-luck charm. Micha’s ridiculous ring is Brody’s bedroom, sitting in the bottom of the drawer next to the bed.
“They’ll spin the narrative however they can. You know how this goes.”
My pulse spikes, and I feel like I might have an anxiety attack.
“Hey,” he says quietly, his voice careful and controlled. “We’ll figure this out.” He pauses, jaw tightening even more, frustration flickering behind his blue eyes.
“There’s something else,” he says. “There are rumors about the baby being mine.”
I blink, caught completely off guard by a sudden, vivid image that flashes through my mind—my belly rounded, Brody’s hand resting over it, pride glowing in his eyes. A surprising warmth spreads through me, unexpected but undeniably comforting. The thought doesn’t bring an existential dread.
I quickly shake away the thought, cheeks heating. “The baby rumors piss me off the most.”
“I understand,” Brody says, watching me carefully. “The bigger the drama, the more the gossip columns are encouraged to talk about it. I’m really fucking sorry.”
I nod slowly, trying to process this new complication. Strangely though, the sting of Micah’s lies feels distant now, overshadowed by that beautiful vision still lingering in my mind. Carrying Brody’s child doesn’t seem frightening; in fact, the thought fills me with a quiet sense of rightness.
He notices my expression change and tilts his head at me. “What is it?”
A small smile tugs at my lips despite the chaos. “A baby with you doesn’t feel like a nightmare.”