Page 108 of Mended Fences

I grinned. “There’smorefood, if you can believe it.”

This time, her sigh was one of resignation. “What’s a few more stretch marks?”

My hand inched up her still-naked stomach. “These tiger stripes? Fuck yeah, gimme a few more. They’re hot as fuck.”

“Please,” Elena said with an eye roll.

Gently, I pushed her to her back and settled between her legs. “You doubt me, woman?”

Her response was simply to raise a dark brow.

“Let me prove it to you.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

ELENA

Now, December 2024

My first Christmaspresent was an orgasm that left me boneless, my skin still tingling as I sank back into the cloud-soft sheets and drifted into a restful sleep. The rich aroma of coffee tickled my nose as consciousness slowly returned. Chase perched on the mattress edge, his damp hair curling slightly at his neck, yesterday’s well-worn henley clinging to his broad shoulders. Steam rose in delicate wisps from his mug as he studied me, his blue eyes warm and intent on my face. The bitter scent of his black coffee mingled with his clean, soapy smell, creating an oddly intimate morning perfume.

“Creepy,” I grumbled into the pillow, my voice thick with sleep.

His deep chuckle rumbled through the mattress in response.

“What time is it?”

“Ten.”

“Ten?” I shrieked. I flailed upright, sheets twisted around my legs, watermelon belly fighting gravity. “We were supposed to be there at nine!”

Chase’s rich laughter filled the room as he extended his warm, calloused hand. The cool air kissed my bare skin as the Egyptian cotton slipped to my waist. His gaze burned hot against my flesh, lingering over the tender swell of my breasts before trailing down to where our child grew beneath my stretched skin.

Heat flooded my cheeks as I tugged the silky fabric up to my chin. “Sorry,” I whispered, the words barely a breath.

Chase’s brow furrowed, genuine confusion etching lines between his eyes. I hugged the sheet tighter while my skin prickled with goosebumps—from the cold or his eyes on me, I wasn’t sure.

“Why are you sorry?”

Heat crept up my neck as I fumbled for words, gesturing vaguely at his obvious state of arousal. “Because, ya know, you’re... abstaining.”

His hand cupped my chin, tilting my face up until I met his gaze. The warmth in his eyes made my breath catch.

“That’s nothing foryouto besorryabout.”

My fingers twisted in the sheets. The soft fabric offered little protection against my rising embarrassment. “I feel like a tease.”

Chase swung his legs over the side of the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight as he stood. He extended his handtoward me, his expression brooking no argument. “Well, that’s about enough of that. Come on.”

He helped me to my feet and ushered me into the bathroom, where he twisted the handle to turn the hot water on for me. “Take your time, Sweetness. We’re in no hurry.” He kissed my temple, and the sudden realization that he’d yet to kiss my lips made my chest ache.

I understood—of course, I understood—but the damn hormones were killing me, and I wanted this man’s lips on mine and his cock buried inside me.

But if he could wait, so could I.

TESSA

If you two could quit canoodling and get over here, I’d like to open the very large present with my name on it. TYSM.