Page 159 of Frozen Flames

An amazing feeling expands in my chest as my head moves sporadically with each thrust. Then he stops when he notices my tears.

“Are you okay?”

“Don’t stop.” I kiss his lips, striving for everything and all he can give me.

He keeps going, one hand holding on to my waist, then sliding down, his fingers gripping my upper thigh. “Argh.” This feral sound releases from him, and I know I’m about to let go soon.

I can’t take this.

Him taking care of me like this, against the wall, as my husband. I notice his hair and his eyes and his five-o’clock shadow and the sweat on his upper body and the sounds coming out of his mouth, and I reach this heavenly place outside of my body as I let go and unleash my orgasm.

I’m blissful.

I’m cherished.

My soul is bursting with calming energy.

Harv lets go himself shortly thereafter, and I can’t describe the feeling when he releases inside of me.

We’re both staring at each other, and I smile.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, kissing my cheek with a heavy-lidded look of satisfaction on his face.

“Nothing. I just feel so much love for you.”

Harvey

A few years later . . .

I’m walking down the grocery store aisle, pushing a small cart toward the protein powder section on a hot summer day.

I’m assuming that everyone’s outside enjoying the weather because the store’s pretty empty, not that I’m complaining.

Claire sent me to get a few items for tonight. We’re having Henrik and Audrey over for dinner, since my parents are on vacation and Claire’s mom is away for work. I swear, Hen doesn’t pass up an opportunity to see my newborn son, Finn, now that he’s an uncle.

Other than having our immediate families over to help care for us and the baby, this is our first time hosting as a family of three.

I know Claire’s nervous, and all I want to do is reduce her stress.

Which is why I’m here.

I’m checking out the ingredients of this protein product on sale when I notice her out of the corner of my eye first—Gemma.

I haven’t seen her since our last goodbye.

“Gemma,” I say, seeing her pick up another powder.

“Harv—” She seems caught off guard as I walk toward her on my crutches, leaving my small cart behind.

When I get closer, I see the astonishment on her face as she looks me up and down, as if in complete disbelief that I’m walking in a grocery store.

“You did it. You really did it!” She lets go of her cart and quickly walks over to me, throwing her arms around my neck.

“Gemma,” I say softly, not knowing what else to say.

She pulls back and says, “Harvey, you’re walking!” She laughs and shakes her head. “Henrik didn’t tell me.”

“I told him not to tell anyone.”

---