Page 11 of Santas' Elf

My lip quivered and fresh tears spilled from my eyes as I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

I owed him that.

I deserved to witness the moment I broke his heart. I had to carve that moment into my soul so that I’d never forget the sting of it.

I forced air into my lungs, even as fresh tears rolled down my cheeks. “I… I can’t stop thinking about him!”

Warren furrowed his brows. “Who?”

“Benny!” I wailed.

There was a moment during which his face was unreadable, then he frowned.

Was my husband about to tell me to get out?

He gently removed my hands from his shirt.

I’d lost him…

Warren kept my hands in his and pulled me to my feet as he stood. He took several steps toward the couch and sprawled in one of our favorite cuddling poses—him tucked into the corner, one leg spread out on the couch, the other foot on the floor so that I could rest against his chest. Then he tugged me down so that I was against him as his hand rubbed soothing circles on my back.

He was silent until my hiccupping sobs slowed and finally stopped.

“Pete?” he asked softly.

“Yeah?” I whimpered.

“I need you to tell me everything. Can you do that?”

I nodded into his chest, gulping lungfuls of his scent.

Fingers under my chin, and I allowed him to lift my head so that our gazes met.

“I love you,” he murmured. “I trust you. Let it out, and we’ll work through it together—like we always do.”

Fresh tears streamed down my cheeks and I buried my face in his chest again. There was still a chance I wouldn’t lose him.

His hand slipped under my shirt and the warm weight of it against my back was grounding.

I swallowed. The most important thing was that he knew I hadn’t broken his trust. I looked into his eyes again.

“I haven’t slept with Benny,” I started. “I’ve tried to be nothing but professional with him. As far as I know, he has no idea of my feelings. I need you to know that.”

Warren studied me for a few seconds, then nodded. “Ok.”

One word. Two syllables. But it was the way he stated it so simply. The terror that had wrapped itself around my heart started to loosen.

I took a deep breath and rested my cheek against his chest again.

I told my husband about that first night after meeting Benny—how I’d briefly imagined the sweet omega when we were making love. I admitted to all the times I’d thought of the other man pregnant. I bared my soul to the person I cherished most in the world.

Warren listened and continued to rub circles on my back.

Finally, I uttered the only words I had left, repeating them like a mantra. “I’m sorry. I love you.”

Warren was silent as he shifted beneath me—a sign for me to move. He stood, took my hands, and guided me to our bed. He removed my clothes, kissing along every inch of newly exposed skin.

I sobbed in relief, accepting his forgiveness as he sank into me. Words weren’t needed as he moved, the push and pull as he plunged his cock into me over and over conveyed more than mere sounds ever could.