Page 64 of Unbreakable Love

I sat up and pulled her with me until my back was against the couch and she was straddling my lap. I cupped her cheeks with my hands and held her close, leaned in and kissed her. It was quick but soft, and I pulled back before I could lose myself in her all over again.

“I’m sorry,” she said, and I shook my head.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. I understand why you’d make those choices, and you have to keep something in mind.”

“What?” Her brows arched.

“I had a kid at fifteen and spent a lot of years angry and pissed off and not wanting anything to do with a woman who would betray me like Monica did. Plus, I had a little girl to take care of. And then I had a few weeks with Ella. I’m not exactly riding the guy with the most sex experience train.”

She chuckled and fell toward me. “I liked what we were doing, but I wanted you to know before it went further. In case…”

“There’s no in case. You couldn’t turn me off if you tried, and I’m glad I know. We’ll take this at your pace.”

Her gaze seared me, like she was inspecting me for lies or trickery, but I was as open with her as I’d ever been with anyone. I meant every word. I might have wanted to explore things in greater detail, but I could wait. It’d be torture, but I had no doubt the rewards would be exquisite.

“Come on.” I ran my hands up and down her back. “Let’s get you home.”

“But—”

I kissed her, pressed my mouth to hers, and stole her breath as my own went ragged. Her hands dug into my hair, holding me against her and soon, we were a mess of heavy breathing, hands wandering over each other’s bodies over clothes. I was hard again, never really softening, but as she rocked herself against me, I bit back a groan and stilled her hips.

God, I wanted that. For her to keep rocking. For her to find her own release as much as my body screamed at me to take mine.

Not this way. Not this first night, and not while we were clothed and rushing.

“Stop,” I moaned, and I couldn’t believe I was putting the brakes on this. “That’s enough.”

“But…”

“But I don’t want to finish in my pants like I did when I was a teenager. I want to take my time with you, Penny. Want to do this right.”

A soft smile curled her lips. “Okay. I should go then.”

I lifted us and set her on her feet. “We’ll have more nights like this, and soon. I swear it.”

I walked her to the door, waited while she redressed herself in boots and gloves and hat, and once I opened the door for her to leave, I kissed her.

“Text me when you’re safe in bed.”

She glanced at her house. “You’ll be on the porch until I get inside, Gavin.”

And so had Isaiah with Ava not even a week ago. “Humor me.”

Her smile flatlined, along with the tease in her tone. “Okay. If that’s what you need.”

“I do. For now.”

She rolled to her toes and kissed my cheek. “Then you’ll have it. Sleep well.”

“I’ll sleep better tonight than I have in years,” I called out to her, quietly given the night, and her response was that blinding, beautiful smile that could light up all the darkness in all the world.

I waited until she was in her house. Waited until she turned off lights and waited until she texted me that she was safe, and the doors were locked.

Only then did I go inside, locked my own house up and closed it down for the night.

I climbed into bed but didn’t go to sleep, not immediately.

I took my time, remembering the feel of her body, the sounds she made, and how much she seemed as desperate for me to touch her as I’d been to do the same. I fantasized about all the things I could teach her, all the things we could learn together, and it was then… once I was done… that I was able to finally fall asleep.

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