Page 53 of Forbidden Love

“I want to,” he murmured, brushing a kiss to her temple. “Let me take care of you.”

He carried her through the house straight to the bedroom. The door creaked open as he nudged it with his foot, and he laid her down on the bed with the care of a man touching something precious as if she was made of glass like she mattered.

“Brock…” she whispered, her heart full to the brim.

His eyes locked on hers as he knelt beside her. Slowly, he peeled off her wet shirt, his hands trembling just slightly. Not from nerves, but from restraint. Like he was fighting to keep himself in control.

When he unbuttoned her jean shorts, he kissed the skin he revealed—her stomach, her hips, her thighs—until she arched into him with a soft, desperate sound. When she was bare before him, he paused, eyes drinking her in.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispered, and the words weren’t empty. They were reverent.

Then he stood and stepped out of his sweatpants, never taking his gaze off her. When he joined her on the bed, he kissed her like he needed her to breathe. She wrapped herself around him, hands threading through his damp hair, legs tangling with his. She felt his warmth and his strength in every touch as they explored each other without restraint.

And when he slid inside her, it wasn’t just her body that opened—it was her soul.

They moved together in a rhythm that felt fated like the storm had been leading them here all along. Every stroke, every breath, every moan built something sacred between them. Her nails raked gently down his back. His mouth trailed fire along her throat. They whispered each other’s names between moans and kisses.

Her climax came hard, raw, and beautiful—and she clung to him as he followed with a groan of her name, his whole body shaking.

He collapsed beside her, then immediately pulled her into his arms, tucking her close like he’d never let her go again.

The rain still fell, but inside that room, everything was quiet. Safe. Whole.

“I love you,” he whispered into her hair. “I’ve loved you since the moment I caught you from the roof.”

She laughed softly, her heart aching in the best possible way. “I love you, Brock.” She looked at him, her eyes searching his. “Thank you,”

“For what?” He frowned, his thumb rubbing her bottom lip.

“For showing me that I’m worth it.” She kissed his thumb and then smiled at him.

“You are more than worth it, Deb,” Brock said, then sighed. “I guess I need to thank you also.”

“For what?” Deb grinned, propping up on her elbow, then swiped a stray strand of hair from his forehead.

“For trusting me with your heart.” He said so sincerely that her grin faltered.

“I do trust you, and that’s saying something coming from me.” She sighed as she laid her head back on the pillow, and then her grin returned. “I thought you were going to say, for the amazing sex.”

“That’s crazy. I thought that was what you were going to thank me for.” He teased with a wink.

“It was good.” She said, then laughed when he sat up, caging her against the bed.

“Good? Just good?” He growled and then nuzzled her neck, making her squeal. “

“I’m kidding,” she giggled, which she never did. Holy shit, this man had turned her world upside down, and in a good way. “I have never in my life felt so special and loved as I did when you were loving me, Brock.”

Pulling her into his arms, he held her tight. “That’s because you are special and loved very much.”

He kissed her softly and then cuddled her next to him. She closed her eyes, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world. “I love you,” She whispered before they fell asleep in each other’sarms. The storm outside didn’t matter anymore. Because they were each other’s calm, and neither of them would ever face the darkness alone again.

CHAPTER 23

Today was the annual Easter egg hunt and potluck, and the whole town buzzed with excitement. Kids raced through the fields with colorful baskets, parents carried folding chairs and covered dishes, and laughter echoed beneath the soft warmth of spring sunshine. Deb had just finished hiding eggs in the back with Tammy’s help, making sure the kids couldn’t see her.

She tried to focus on the cheerful atmosphere, but her thoughts kept drifting.

It had been nearly a week since she and Brock had finally stopped fighting the inevitable and admitted their feelings for each other. And what a week it had been. They’d spent more time tangled in bed than out of it, and for the first time in a long time, Deb felt... whole. Safe. Seen. Loved.

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