Page 123 of Fumbled Into Love

A crescendo of emotions builds, a snowball racing down a hill, growing larger and more volatile until the tears are streaming down my cheeks and Deon is kissing them away, one by one.

“Deon,” I croak, grabbing onto his shoulders as his thrusts turn languid. My mind screams with desperation to tell him I love him—to tell him anything, really—except all my words fall short.

But when Deon murmurs, “You brought me back to life,” I know those are the words I’m missing.

This is what life with someone you love looks like.

Most days are boring and plain, but it’s the person I’m with—it’s Deon—who brings life and bright, undiluted happiness into the mundane. His affection has never been loud. He’sshown it on quiet nights on the couch, letting me warm my toes with his calves. It’s shown in bags of period products beneath the sink and a dozen macarons every week.

He may not love me, but I do believe he’s grown to care for me, and in that knowledge, there’s comfort. Deon may not love me in the way I love him, but I matter to him.

Deon slides deep and stars burst against my vision.

“I’m close,” Deon says, pace quickening as he pistons into me, lifting my thighs to shift the angle. His groans fill the air as his cock pulses, his orgasm taking over as his movements grow erratic.

Deon’s movements slow and his eyes meet mine, a gorgeous, heart-stopping smile takes over his face. He pulls out, disposing of the condom and I sneak into the bathroom across the hall, knowing Declan left.

When I come back, Deon is clothed, fiddling with the remote on the couch.

Our eyes lock and the breath is knocked from my lungs.

I’ve learned to dissect the emotions on Deon’s face, digging to find any hint, but the openness on his features now is jarring.

“No one has ever done anything like this for me,” he admits and my heart clenches. “This means more to me than you’ll ever know.” His finger slips into my hair and he drags me into a slow, sensual kiss. “I’ll never forget this,” he whispers against my lips. “Thank you.”

I nod, emotion clogging my throat when he kisses my forehead, bulldozing over our rule.

I should have banned forehead kisses. They’re way too intimate for moments when you’re trying to rein in your feelings.

A large, aggressive meow, followed by scratching, breaks the moment, and I pop up.

“It’s not a celebration without Gordie!” I dart to the door, sweeping Gordie into my arms. “Tell Daddy ‘Happy Birthday’,” I say, hovering Gordie over Deon, whose eyes widen in lust, then fear.

“Please do not refer to me as ‘Daddy’ when talking to my demon cat.” He pops off the couch, widening the space. “Gordie and I cohabitate. I feed him and he is kind enough not to murder me in my sleep.”

I bark out a laugh, pulling Gordie tighter. Deon wanders to the table of food, piling his plate. “I built up an appetite,” he says with a wink and I groan. “No? That didn’t do it for you?”

Dropping Gordie, I saddle up next to him, slapping his ass.

“I’ll let that horrible joke slide because it’s your birthday, but it was awful.”

Deon’s laughter is infectious as we settle into the couch, plates of themed food—albeit slightly cold—sitting in front of us. I snatch the remote, searching forThe Fellowship of the Ring.

As the movie starts, I lean into Deon’s side, soaking in the moment.

It might not be forever, but right now is pretty great.

CHAPTER 27

“Maybe I want your love forever, is that so bad to say?”

the stars – Chelsea Cutler

Deon

Idrop my bag at my locker and book it for the nutrition room, hell-bent on getting one of Addie’s smoothies before they’re gone. Her smoothies are smooth, not a chalky paste like some of the other nutritionists. I also want to bribe her into giving me recipes for my new Ninja Creami.

If anyone has an arsenal of recipes I can use for my machine, it’s Addie.

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