Page 78 of This Kind of Forever

GABE

When I open my eyes,I’m half convinced that last night was a dream. That I’m going to roll over and discover that I’m alone because Hallie, in my arms, in my bed, was just a figment of my imagination. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve woken up aching for her.

But when I turn on my side and reach out, I find her there. Her bare skin is warm against mine as I tug her closer. With her back to my chest, I wrap my arm around her waist, securing her there. The content sigh she lets out makes me smile.

She stayed.

I place a kiss on the top of her head. “Morning, beautiful.”

Hallie groans, pressing her face into the pillow. “Is it already morning?”

I chuckle as my arm tightens around her. “Afraid so. How did you sleep?”

She turns to face me. “The best I have in a while. Since the night of the storm when you made me stay with you.”

I didn’t think I’d get to experience that again—falling asleep with her. The night of the storm, and the morning after, when Iasked her to move into the main house, feel like a lifetime ago. So much has changed between us.

Flashes of last night play across my mind. For a split second when we got home, I worried I had shown my hand without any guarantee. But something about what happened with Deacon shifted things for Hallie. Whatever it is, I’m damn grateful.

I roll onto my back, taking Hallie with me. She squeals as I position her over me, straddling my waist.

I hum. “I think I like this position.”

Hallie rolls her eyes as she crosses her arms, covering her breasts. Her cheeks are already stained in a pretty pink blush. “I’m sure you do.”

I reach up and take her hands, pulling her arms away from her chest. “You don’t have to be shy with me, Foster. I love every fucking inch of your body.”

I thought I showed her as much when I ripped my shirt over her head after she came back into the bedroom after cleaning herself up. I was trying not to let that initial panic of finding my bed empty get to me, so I focused on Hallie and her pleasure instead.

Now, for emphasis, I let my eyes roam. My cock is already hard, and when Hallie shifts under my gaze, she rubs against it. When she bites her lower lip, I groan.

“Your parents will be dropping Abbie off soon,” she says. “We probably shouldn’t be naked when they get here.”

Reluctantly, I let her slide off of me. She grabs my shirt from last night and slips it on again, then starts collecting her clothes. I get the strangest urge to have her leave them on the floor, just to prove she was here. That last night was real.

“I’m going to shower,” she declares.

“Want some company?” I ask with a grin.

She smiles, but it doesn’t sit right—doesn’t fully reach her eyes. “You know very well that shower wouldn’t be productive. I’ll meet you downstairs after I’m done.”

And then she’s gone.

I run a hand through my hair as frustration washes over me.Did I push her too hard?Again?After last night, I thought we were on the same page. I thought everything was falling into place, the way it should have when we were eighteen. I can’t regret those years we spent apart because they gave me Abbie, and I wouldn’t trade her for anything. But having this second chance—this chance to do thingsrightwith Hallie… I won’t mess that up.

With a sigh, I stand from the bed, then head to my en suite to take my own shower. Now that the lust has been cleared from my brain, I know Hallie was right. Showering with her likely wouldn’t have been productive, and I would rather not scar my daughter by being found in a compromising position when she gets home. So I shower and dress, and then I make my way downstairs to get started on breakfast.

Just as I finish cooking the scrambled eggs, soft footsteps pad across the floor, and Hallie appears in the doorway. She’s wearing yoga pants and a t-shirt—myt-shirt—but fuck, she looks beautiful. She always looks beautiful. Her hair is still damp from her shower, but I know she prefers to let it air dry.

“Hey,” she says, almost shy.

“Hey, yourself.”

“So, um.” She glances away and then back up, meeting my eyes. “We should probably…talk about last night. I know things maybe got said in the heat of the moment and?—”

“Last night,” I say, cutting her off as I cross to her in two quick strides, “I meant every fucking word I said.”

Her blue eyes widen. “Gabe, I…”