Page 79 of Before We Were Us

“Feel me,” I tell her, needing her to understand how raw I feel.

“I feel you,” she replies and it’s all I need. I go harder and deeper, loving how tight she grips my cock. Her fingernails dig into my shoulder and I fist the sheet. I bite down on her shoulder, sucking to keep from hurting her. My toes curl, she pumps her hips and again she reaches her peak as I fall over the edge with her.

“How was the trip?” Brynn hugs her sister-in-law, and I stand back giving her the space she needs to welcome both her brother and his wife home.

“It was beautiful,” Ciara gushes. “But it’s nice to be home too.”

Brynn then hugs her brother, and I notice how he looks at me while doing so.

“Let’s move into the living room,” their mother interrupts and holds her hand out for us to walk in the direction of the sunken living room.

“How’s the case going?” Brynn’s father asks as the two of us linger behind. “Any new leads?”

“We picked up some footage from the neighbor's backyard camera. Two people for sure, can’t confirm if they are men or women, but they entered the house from the alley and left the same way on foot. It’s distorted footage, but we are scouring the neighborhood hoping that anyone has anything from a different angle or possibly a vehicle they may have gotten into after leaving the home.”

“That poor woman,” Clara says as we all sit. Brynn sits at my side, leaning back into me as I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

I ignore the looks of Sebastian as he closely watches our interactions. Brynn rests her hand on my thigh.

“I can’t imagine going through something as horrific as she had to endure.” Ciara shivers at the thought. Sebastian rubs over her back and leans in to kiss her forehead. It’s a side of him you don’t see often. Reminds me that behind all the resentment and disdain for me, there is a guy with a heart.

The conversation flows easily, and for the first time I feel like I belong. As we stand to go to the kitchen, as dinner is ready, Sebastian reaches out to shake my hand.

“I’m trusting that you’ll love her the way she deserves to be loved.”

“I will,” I assure him.

I notice the way both Ciara and Brynn linger in the doorway watching the scene unfold. The look on Brynn’s face mirrors what I feel, but Ciara, something tells me she played a part in this change of heart.

epilogue

. . .

two years later

Brynnlee

I lean into his touch as he cups my cheek in his hand. Our bodies sway to the slow song we’d chosen after a long battle of options. In the end, I won. I always win!

“You look beautiful,” he tells me and I open my eyes to find him watching me. A look of complete contentment on his face. “Like an angel.” He skims over my lower lip with his thumb and leans in, pressing a kiss to my lips. “My angel,” he clarifies and I can’t help but smile.

“This day has been magical,” I confess. Everything I’d imagined and more. I’ve never been someone’s everything, well with the exception of my parents that is. But with Jensen, he loves me, and he loves me with everything he has to give. He makes me feel like I hold the key to his happiness. And if I’m being honest, he is the light in every one of my days.

Jensen links his fingers with mine and he lifts our joined hands as he twirls me around, before pulling me back to him. With a surprising move, he sways us together and dips me.

Jensen doesn’t dance.

He sways, but that’s pushing it.

Yet, here he is surprising me.

Our guests applaud, and laugh, a few hoots and catcalls echo over our entire reception party.

I’ve never been the one to enjoy being the center of attention, I prefer to handle my business and move on. But tonight, as I celebrate marrying my best friend, the love of my life and the man that took me by surprise, I never want it to end.

Jensen laughs as he looks around the room.

“You’ve been practicing.” I arch a brow and he shrugs.

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