Page 148 of Rewind It Back

I wait for her to say something else, but she doesn’t. I wait for the shock to pass, but it won’t.

Then suddenly, those wide hazel eyes looking up at me in disbelief begin to gloss over.

“Hey,” I say softly but urgently. “Hallie, baby, don’t cry.”

This is not at all the reaction I was expecting. I kind of thought she’d tease me a little bit before putting me out of my misery. But then I realize that me telling her this might not be reassuring. It might make her feel bad that I waited for her, but she didn’t do the same. But I would never expect her to wait, especially after I ended things the way I did.

“Hallie.” I wipe away a rogue tear that falls out of the corner of her eye. “There’s no need to cry about this. I would never expect you to wait for me.”

“But I did.”

I rear back slightly, my thumb halting mid-stroke of her cheek. “No, you didn’t.”

She huffs a laugh, but it sounds as shocked and startled as I feel. “I’ve only ever been with you.”

“Why?”

“Why didyouwait?” she counters.

Because I’ve only ever wanted to be with you.

My own answer hits me square in the chest, knowing her sentiment is the same.

She’s not crying anymore. Now she’s laughing, her head falling back to the pillow behind her while I’m lying on top of her completely naked and in shock.

I’m such a goddamn idiot for staying away as long as I did.

“What the hell is wrong with us?” I ask, somewhat rhetorically.

“I have no fucking clue.” She can’t stop laughing and apparently, it’s contagious because now I’m laughing too.

I hide my face in the crook of her neck, and she wraps her hand around my back and it feels good. It feels good to be able to laugh with each other instead of regretting the time lost. What else are we going to do about it now other than laugh at our own stubbornness?

She bends her knee at my side, and I palm it, running my hand down the length of her thigh.

“What are you thinking?”

She’s got this brilliant smile on her lips, those hazel eyes now clear and sparkling.

“I’m thinking...” She runs her fingers over my ribs, and I can’t get over how fucking unreal it feels to have her touching me again. “I’m thinking that you should probably fuck me now. I’ve been awfully patient.”

She has been. And realistically, I could go again already. I’m not going to lie, I got pretty fucking turned on hearing that she waited for me, but between that incredible blow job and the whole shower thing, she’s gotten me off twice before I’ve even given her one, if we’re not counting that phone call.

“I’ve got some work to put in first,” I say against her lips, leaning in to kiss her.

There’s nothing fumbling or frantic about this kiss. It’s soft and languid, taking our time as our bodies move together. Reaching between her and the mattress, I unclasp her bra, pulling it off her and tossing it to the floor.

Perfect fucking tits on full display, as they should be.

I take a handful and squeeze, circling my thumb over her nipple before I pinch it between my fingers, memorizing every little sound that comes out of her mouth.

“I want you inside of me,” she breathes.

Fuck me, those words alone could make me come again, which only acts as a reminder I need to take care of her at least once before I do. I create a path, licking and kissing down her neck and chest before taking one nipple in my mouth and flicking it with my tongue.

“Yes,” she hisses, arching into me. “More of that.”

I do as I’m told, moving to the other to give equal attention. I swirl and flick, offering her a preview of exactly what I’m about to do to another part of her, before I work my way down her stomach. Kissing her soft skin. Gently biting when I can’t resist. And when I’m lying all the way between her legs, I don’t stop, continuing to lick a line straight down her already-soaked panties.

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