Page 111 of To the Chase

With Tore, it was easy. He touched me just right, and I ignited, shaking, clawing at the sheets, begging for relief.

And he gave it to me.

I came until my legs tried to give out, but Tore wouldn’t allow it. Gathering me in his arms, he shuffled us forward, my front plastered to the headboard, my back to his chest. His mouth was beside my ear, huffing raggedly as he slammed into me in hard, frantic thrusts while holding me tenderly, kissing my cheek and temple, stroking my hips, whispering love.

He pulsed inside me, coming hard and hot, and we fell, hitting the mattress together, Tore wrapped around my back, one hand on my stomach, the other holding my breast. Those had become his spots.

I liked that he had places on my body he claimed as his own. I’d silently done the same. His glowing ears, the deep line that ran through the center of his palm, the lock of hair that fell on his forehead when he was over me. Those pieces were mine. All mine.

I twisted my neck to blink at him. “We should really sleep this time. It has to be late.”

He swiped his phone from the nightstand and held it in front of me so we could both see. “Only midnight. Not too late.”

As he was showing me the screen, a text from Sam popped up.

Sam:?????

I huffed a laugh. “Sam’s a man of many words.”

“Yeah.” Tore tossed his phone and nuzzled my hair. “He’s texted me a few times tonight. It’s nothing urgent, and I’m off the clock.”

“I bet he loves that.”

“He won’t be pleased, but I don’t care.” His fingers trailed along my stomach, lulling me into a boneless heap. “I’m with my girlfriend. He can’t have access to me right now.”

I smiled, my eyes fluttering closed. “Gotta have that work-life balance, baby.”

“Damn right.” He kissed my hair. “I’ll sort Sam out tomorrow. For now, I’m going to fall asleep with my girlfriend and try not to get pissed off when she sneaks out in the morning.”

“Wow, she sounds amazing,” I teased. “I’m sure she has valid reasons for the sneaking.”

“She is, and she thinks she does.” He kissed my hair. “Go to sleep, Beatrice.”

“Bossy,” I whispered.

“Only when you let me be.”

I fell asleep with a smile on my lips, warmth at my back, and my heart filled with optimism.

Monday night, I had dinner with my girls. As wrapped up as I was in Tore and the Gallo family, it was important not to forget the rest of my life.

Clara shared details about her quickly approaching wedding. She’d refused the male stripper I’d offered to hire for her bachelorette, but she hadn’t denied the Elvis impersonator I had up my sleeve. Of course, I hadn’t mentioned him, but what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.

Shira had started wedding planning now too. She and Roman were low-key, so they were keeping it small, but Shira blushed with excitement and gushed what she wanted her wedding dress to look like. Even though her engagement hadn’t been roses and fireworks, she was excited to be married to her man.

And I told them all about Tore and the kids. Shira had met everyone but Tore, but she and Clara were both eager to get to know the new people in my life.

Itwas still unbelievable I’d gone from happily, staunchly single to fully immersed in an entire family, but here I was. And it felt right.

Nothing and no one would ever replace what I’d lost, but that was okay. They didn’t have to. I could miss my siblings down to my bones and love Scarlet, Lace, and Tally to the same depths. One did not negate the other.

It was scary and wild and out of my control, so I had chosen to give in, let go, and enjoy the ride.

When I got home, I sent a message to Tore.

Me:Hey. I’m home. Dinner was fun. Everyone wants to meet you soon.

Tore:Come over.