Page 96 of Crossroads of Love

I continue my rhythm, switching between slow and rapid until I can feel the end approaching. Lena's voice is a melody that only grows sweeter with each cry for more. Her body tenses and her breath hitches as she reaches the peak once more, her eyes locked onto mine.

“That's it, baby, give it all to me,” I whisper, my voice hoarse with desire. “Let go for me.”

She does just that, her body convulsing beneath me as she surrenders to the pleasure again. I grunt as I fill her with my own release.As her body calms down, I slowly pull out from her and wrap her in my arms, pulling her close. She whimpers slightly, but I hold her tight, our bodies sticky with sweat and passion.

I kiss her forehead gently, feeling an overwhelming sense of protection for her.

“Gavin,” she breathes. “I love you.”

Her voice breaks at the end of her admission, almost as if she’s scared of the consequences of the words. I can feel her body shaking.

I roll over so that I’m on top of her, hovering over her as I gaze back into her tear-filled eyes.

“I love you, too.”

She gasps, her eyes wide as she smiles softly. I grin back at her before dropping back down to the mattress and pulling her tightly into me.

I’ll spend the rest of my life showing her how much I love her if I need to.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lena

He said it back to me.

I’m on cloud nine. I honestly never believed I’d ever be this happy again.

I’ve never felt this safe before, either.

I always struggled to sleep well when Aaron was home in the same bed as me. Because of this, we started sleeping in different beds for the past five years of our marriage.

As I lay ensconced in Gavin’s strong arms, feeling his heat and strength against my body, I’m finding it hard to stay awake.

What a difference this is in every way.

I no longer feel guilty for moving on with Gavin. That’s a nice feeling.

I wake up slowly, a lazy smile tugging at my lips before my eyes even open. There’s warmth all around me. Gavin’s body is pressed against mine, his arm heavy across my waist, and thesoft rise and fall of his chest beneath my head. His heartbeat is steady, a comforting rhythm I could listen to forever. I burrow closer, not wanting to leave this moment just yet. The morning light filters in through the curtains, but everything inside me feels still and content.

I can’t remember the last time I felt this happy.

Gavin shifts slightly, his arm tightening around me, and his breath stirs the hair at the back of my neck. “Mornin’,” he murmurs, his voice rough and low from sleep.

“Morning,” I whisper back, turning my head just enough to catch a glimpse of his face. His eyes are still closed, lips curved into a sleepy smile, and I can’t help but grin. “Sleep well?”

“Like a rock.” He chuckles, his voice vibrating through me. “But I think you had something to do with that.”

“Oh really?” I tease, shifting so I’m on my back, looking up at him fully now. His eyes flutter open, that pale blue gaze locking onto mine, and I feel a flutter in my chest.

God, he’s beautiful in the morning—his hair a mess, stubble covering his jaw, and the sheets barely covering his hips.

“Well, I’m glad I could help.”

“You more than helped,” he says, his hand sliding down my side, fingers tracing lazy circles on my skin. The touch sends a shiver through me, even though it’s gentle, and I know he can feel the way my body reacts.

I laugh, shaking my head as I swat his hand away. “Stop that. I’m hungry.”

His grin widens. “I’m hungry too, but I’m not sure we’re talking about the same thing.”

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