Page 54 of Chasing Liberty

“All of it. I want every inch.”

The persistent coxing of his tip created friction, bringing her so close to that edge that she couldn’t decide if she wanted to scream or bite him. Or maybe knock him back on the rug and take what she so desperately craved.

When they finally laid there spent, she laid her forehead against him, listening to the heavy beating of his heart as his chest rose and fell with each panted breath.

They stayed there in that position, holding each other for the longest time. She focused on how right his arms felt around her. How good they fit together. How she would do anything for this man who made her feel alive.

Eventually, he slid off her, dragging her against him and holding her in a tight grip of his arms as if she might leave unexpectedly. She wouldn’t leave though. She wanted to be there, beside him.

She teetered on the edge of slumber, so relaxed.

Her body jerked and she heard him laugh.

“You awake?” he asked in a throaty voice.

“I think I am.”

“Did you mean that?”

The haze of drowsiness drifted as she focused on what he had asked. “What?”

“You told me you love me.”

Those words drove through the slumber like a freight train running out of control in her brain. “What?”

“You told me you love me.”

Had she been asleep? What had she done?

“I was asleep,” she told him.

“I though as much.” He didn’t seem bothered. “But just so you know, I’m not going to forget that you said it first.”

The overwhelming knowledge of knowing that not only had she said the words, but they also rang with truth.

She rolled over and pulled the blanket up over her naked body, needing some protection against the vulnerability she felt.

He laid his arm over her waist protectively and his hand dipped into her hair, massaging her scalp. “Hey, it’s okay.”

“Is it?”

“Will you look at me?” he urged.

She finally lifted her chin, their gazes meeting. “I’m looking. Now what?”

“I want to look into those beautiful blue eyes when I say, I love you. I do. You and our baby.” One corner of his beautiful mouth wiggled with a smile. She found it both irritating and comforting. She liked how at ease he was to tell her something so deep.

“You don’t have to do that,” she muttered.

“Do what?”

“Tell me that you love me.”

“And why wouldn’t I?” He ran the tips of his fingers down the line of her spine and hooked it at her waist.

“I don’t think you’re being honest. You might just want to make me feel better.” She realized how ridiculous her words sounded but she’d never told anyone outside of her family that she loved them.

“Do you think I’m a man that would lie about my feelings?” He lifted a thick brow over those amazing green eyes.

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