Page 170 of Reckless Hearts

I answer with a deep, languid thrust that has him arching off the bed. The sight of him, lost in pleasure, is what sends my orgasm rippling through me.

The world goes white at the edges, pleasure coursing through me in waves as I come deep inside Seb.

Holy fuck, I can’t believe I get to do this again.

Emotion threatens to overwhelm me, tears pricking the corners of my eyes as I bury my face in Seb’s neck.

I pull out gently, then reach out to take his cock in my hand.

Seb’s eyes are half-hooded with pleasure, and they don’t leave mine as I stroke him. And then he’s spilling, his release warm against my hand, his body shuddering beneath me.

We lie tangled together for a moment, catching our breath.

I reluctantly disentangle myself from Seb, kissing his forehead before padding to the bathroom.

The cool tile under my feet is a stark contrast to the warmth of Seb’s body. I dampen a washcloth, pausing to study my reflection in the mirror.

I remember once wishing my reflection would show the rot inside me.

Now, I wish it would accurately reflect how happy and whole I feel.

I take the washcloth back to Seb and climb back into bed next to him before gently cleaning him up.

“You take such good care of me,” he says drowsily.

“I always will.” The words spill so easily from me now.

I put the washcloth on my bedside table and snuggle next to him. His eyes have fluttered shut, and he looks completely at peace.

I need to touch him.

I reach over to run my finger along his cheekbones. “I love you.”

Seb’s eyes flutter open. He regards me for a few seconds.

“Somehow, it doesn’t have quite the impact when you’re not standing on the stage clutching an Oscar,” he says finally.

I can’t help but laugh. It’s a type of laughter that is reckless, that carries all the wild happiness I’ve been too afraid to feel until now.

“I have to say, you really set the bar very high for love declarations,” Seb continues. “I’m going to have to win a Nobel Prize or something in return.”

I have to clear my throat before I can reply. “Go big or go home, right?”

He stretches out lazily, then moves so his head is on my chest.

I stroke his curls. “I meant what I said in my speech. You are what is most important to me. I’ll walk away from Hollywood if that’s what needs to happen so we can be together.”

Seb pulls back to meet my gaze, his blue eyes soft. “You don’t need to walk away from everything. We can work out a compromise.”

I reach out to touch his face because I can’t handle not touching Seb right now. “We can talk about it. Look at the options.” I exhale a shaky breath but continue on. “But I don’t need Hollywood. I need you. And I want to be there for you at the end of the day. I want to wake up with you. I want you to know I’ll always be there for you when you need me.”

Seb swallows. There are a few heartbeats of silence between us, but unlike previous silences, it’s not heavy with things unsaid. Instead, this silence is full of possibility.

“Just two imperfect people loving each other,” he says softly.

Epilogue

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