Page 79 of Trust Me With Forever

“Hey, look at me.” Her lovely green eyes met mine again. Right then and there, I knew that if Abby ever loved me, I would treasure the gift and not take advantage of it.

But that meant first trying to win her over and earn her trust.

I continued, “I’m not an expert on relationships, but based on my parents’ marriage, it was about taking care of and loving each other. If something becomes all about one person and what they want or need or demand, then it’s not really a true relationship. Sure, my parents fought sometimes, but they’d talk and make compromises. And I never, ever want to know about their sex lives.” I shuddered. “But for me, at least, giving you pleasure makes me happy. And when we come together? It makes it all the more intense.”

Her hand cupped my cheek as she searched my gaze. “You’re a good man, Rafael Mendoza. And I’m glad you came back to Starry Hills.”

I placed my hand over hers. “Me, too.”

I love you, was on the tip of my tongue. Because, yes, it was true. Abby was kind yet strong, funny yet determined, and the only person in the world I felt okay to be myself around.

But she was still hurting, still healing. And until she could live her life without fear of her ex fucking things up, I wouldn’t say the words.

However, now that Abby held my heart, I wanted to know every little thing about her. And so I held her tight, laid my head atop hers, and asked about her life during the years I was away.

Chapter Thirty-One

Abby

Aunt Lori:We haven’t seen you in days. When are you guys coming over?

Me:Er, soon. I promise.

Aunt Lori:Too busy heating up the sheets, huh? No hurry. Enjoy that sexy man as long as you want. Maybe you two will give me a new grandnephew or grandniece. Maybe they can just call me Nana Lori. That’d be easier.

Me:Aunt Lori!

Aunt Lori:What?

Me:Could you not plan out my life? Rafe and I have only been married about a month.

Aunt Lori:True, true. You need at least six months of constant sex before you think about adding a little one.

Me: Your life rules don’t always make sense.

Aunt Lori:They make perfect sense. I should write a book. Oooh, or start a Dear Aunt Lori video series! Yes. That would be amazing. Then I could help so many more people.

Me: I don’t even know what to say to that.

Aunt Lori:Enjoy your husband. Maybe by the time we finally see you again, I’ll have my first video posted! Before you know it, I’ll be the super cool, older influencer with advice to die for.

Three days later, as I tried to think of how to dissuade my aunt from becoming some kind of advice influencer—I wasn’t sure she could handle the hate that would come with it—Rafe walked into the home office we were sharing until I was ready to face the public. He handed me a latte and sat down.

I smiled at the dragon made out of chocolate powder. “It’s almost like the Dragons FC logo.”

“I’m working on my art skills.” He paused and tilted his head. “I came to see if you’re ready for your surprise or not.”

As I sipped my coffee, I kept my gaze on the floor. Rafe wanted to take me off his property for a surprise. However, I was still struggling to leave our little bubble of happiness.

And not just because of the sex—which had been amazing and taken up a lot of our time over the last few days—but I’d also loved just chatting with Rafe about everything and nothing. Like learning how he loved sushi but hated cooked fish. Or how he always had to sip his water twice before going to bed or he felt uneasy. Or even that he missed helping his parents with the cattle, especially during the calving season.

Little by little, I better understood Rafe the man instead of the little boy I’d known, or even the superstar soccer player he’d shown to the world.

I also recognized more and more just how lonely he’d been in Manchester. And whether he’d realized it or not, he loved Starry Hills and had missed this community.

Rafe’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “I promise you it’s a place where the people support you, Abigail. The sheriff has also been good about keeping the lookie-loos away, and Nolan’s assistant is a miracle worker at finding out when the press are here.”

Rafe had been nothing but supportive, always discussing what he learned about my ex or CGN with me. He never held back, even if the news was less than great—like the mean headlines that had surfaced in the UK about us.

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