Page 45 of Forging Legacy

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. Life is so fragile, so precious. And I know that so why don’t I ever translate that to things that bring me joy? Why are we wasting time apart when we could be together?

As if reading my mind, Wyatt takes a deep breath. "Fern, I need to tell you something. I'm transferring to West Ham United. For at least a year."

"In London? But I thought ..." My head spins, trying to process this new information.

“The language barrier was too much in Mexico on top of everything else I’m dealing with, and West Ham has an amazing psychology team I’ll be able to work with.” He smiles and turns so he’s facing me directly. “But also, I want to be close to you," he says, his eyes boring into mine. "While you chase your dreams, I want to be there to support you in whatever way you'll let me. Because I lo-"

I cut him off with a fierce kiss, pouring all my pent-up emotion into it. He responds instantly, his arms coming around me, holding me tight. In that moment, everything falls into place. This is where I'm meant to be. He’s not a roadblock. This relationship feels necessary, a vital part of me moving forward.

None of the challenges that happened this year have been his fault or my fault alone. We made these choices together, and every step of the way, we’ve overcome obstacles. This reality sinks in as I press my lips to his, clinging to his shirt, and moaning into his mouth. With Wyatt by my side, I feel like I can conquer anything.

When we finally break apart, I'm breathless and giddy. "I love you, too," I whisper against his lips. "I think I always have."

His answering smile is blinding. Wyatt is my home, my heart, my forever. As he lowers me back onto the couch, our bodies tangling together, I know that whatever the future holds, we'll face it together.

Chapter33

Wyatt

As I lower Fern ontothe couch, our bodies intertwined, I can hardly believe this is real. After all the heartache and uncertainty, she's here in my arms, telling me she loves me. I’ve been so consumed by my own nightmare that I never stopped to believe or even hope I could have something like this.

My hands roam her body, reacquainting myself with every curve and contour. Her skin is just as soft as I remember, her scent just as intoxicating. I trail kisses down her neck, savoring the little gasps and moans that escape her lips.

"Wyatt," she breathes, her fingers tangling in my hair. "I need you."

Those three words set me on fire. “Yeah, you do, gorgeous.” I sit up just long enough to tug my shirt over my head before diving back in, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Her hands explore my chest and my abs, leaving trails of heat in their wake.

I remember how she has trusted me for this kind of intimacy, how I’m the one who made her feel safe enough to let her guard down when all she’s ever done is build a fortress to protect her on a path to a different sort of life. I slow down, savoring the feel of her, physically and emotionally.

We undress each other slowly, reverently, as if we're unwrapping the most precious gifts. When we're finally skin to skin, I have to take a moment just to look at her, to memorize every detail of this perfect woman beneath me.

My eyes drink in the sight of her luscious curves, the soft swell of her breasts, the dip of her waist, the tantalizing flare of her hips. I run my hands along her sides, marveling at how her body yields to my touch, supple and pliant, but I know she has a core of steel inside.

This gorgeous body covers an unshakable strength and resilience. Fern has become my favorite story, one I want to read over and over again, even as it’s still being written. She's faced so many challenges and overcome so much, and she's never lost her warmth, compassion, and incredible capacity for love. Or is that just for me?

As I lower my mouth to her breast, taking a nipple between my lips, she arches beneath me, a breathless moan falling from her lips. Her nipples harden so fast. I pinch them, loving the way they respond to my touch. Her eagerness lights me on fire and sets off a primal need to pleasure her, to worship every inch of her. Fern has become as vital to me as my family, familiar and comforting … but meeting very, very different needs.

I swing my attention on her breasts, licking, suckling, teasing, until she's writhing beneath me, her nails digging into my shoulders. The contrast of her soft flesh against my hard muscles is intoxicating, a heady reminder of how perfectly we fit together in every way.

"You're so beautiful," I whisper, trailing kisses down her stomach, memorizing the way her muscles quiver under my touch. "I love you so much, Fern."

Her eyes, dark with desire, shine with unshed tears. "I love you, too. More than anything."

I pour all my emotion into the next kiss, letting my actions speak louder than words ever could. As I settle between her thighs, the heat of her drawing me in, I'm once again struck by the incredible gift of her love, her trust, her surrender.

“I’m on the pill,” she whispers, breath hot on my ear. “And there’s never been anyone but you …”

I draw back. “What are you saying?”

She shrugs. “I want to feel you inside me with nothing between us, Wyatt. Nothing but us.”

I swallow, trying not to explode. “I get checked all the time. I’m healthy, Fern. And there hasn’t been anyone since you.” I blink away moisture and smile at her. “You’re it for me, baby.”

She smiles and licks her lips, reaching for me. I hiss when she wraps a palm around my length and moan as she guides me between her thighs. I lock eyes with her and sink inside, the sensation so overwhelming I collapse on top of her, giving her my full weight.

“I like how heavy you feel on top of me,” she says, wrapping her legs around me. I kiss her throat and settle onto my forearms so I can see her, wanting to see her face while we do this.

We move together like a symphony, our bodies perfectly in sync. Each touch, each caress, each thrust is a declaration of love, a promise of forever. The way she embraces me, her soft curves molding to my hardness…it feels like an unbreakable connection.

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