Page 19 of Mercy Lake

A whimper escaped my throat as I rotated my hips, instinctively asking for more, wanting more.

He obliged, guiding his length further into my tightening channel. “That’s it, darling.Let me in.”

Once he had fully sheathed himself inside me, I lost track of anything else other than the need to chase that euphoric bliss only he could provide.

I begged and pleaded for it harder, and the front door rattled at my back from the repetitive punishment he dealt.

A few well-placed strokes and fervent caresses pushed us over the edge to climax together.

Prompting the first of many.

We fucked slow and sensual. Hard and fast. On the bed, in the shower, over the furniture.

Gosh, he couldn’t get enough. Damn,Icouldn’t get enough, high and intoxicated on the fumes of completely letting go.

He was the second man I’d ever been with, and he was openly generous. The stranger was attentive, willing to use his previous knowledge to care and provide every sexual desire I could ever want.

There were no inhibitions or shame. Just a natural flow of carnal energy, which only gained more traction every time we connected.

He remained inside me all night, relentless and unforgiving in his pursuit of pleasure. And I had no complaints. I had lost track of time and place, purely living off the euphoria that he managed to rip out of me. Every. Single. Time.

And when I finally fell to slumber, he kissed my hair, thanked me for our shared moment, and then, he was gone.

Chapter 11

OWEN

I had gone to drop off some baby essentials to Everly’s townhouse when I found myself in the unfinished nursery, swaying back and forth on the rocking chair in the corner. The soft grey walls seemed to close in on me, their usual sense of calm replaced by the earth-shattering news.

I had received notification that my divorce was processed.

It was final. We were over.

After I had signed the papers, I threw myself into healing and focusing on my well-being to concentrate all that extra energy on my unborn child.

I vowed that I’d give fatherhood my all, and since then, I had kept my promise. The house I’d shared with Alexis sold for agood profit. I began investing more time into my parents and brother while also putting in effort with Everly.

I still despised her, and resentment burrowed deeper every time I looked in her general direction. But I was also striving to build a respectful foundation where we could co-exist as parents.

Our interactions were limited to the baby, and we openly talked about the future we wanted for our child. We even managed to agree on keeping the gender a surprise—something to look forward to, we both told ourselves.

I also accompanied her to all pregnancy-related appointments. She didn’t feel comfortable with me being present in the room with her, though, which I understood. Instead, I would wait outside until she was ready to be taken home.

If only those actions eradicated the tormenting impression Alexis left behind. Six months had passed since she had ditched town, and the suffocating weight of her loss crashed down on me once more as I processed the end of our marriage.

That final thread was cut. Irrevocably gone.

I didn’t know how long I was sitting there before Everly’s soft voice called from the doorway. She was rubbing her protruding abdomen in soft circles, her brows furrowed in concern.

“Is everything okay?”

“My divorce was finalised today,” I replied, stiff and disbelieving.

Her worried tone turned placating. “That’s a good thing, Owen. That means we don’t have to feel guilty anymore. We can move on and carve out a life for ourselves.”

“There is nowe,Everly. There never was or will be. The only relationship we will have is a co-parenting one.”

Despite my denial, she ventured closer, holding her pregnant belly as genuine sadness painted her features. “We made a miracle, Owen. Why can’t you see that? Against all odds, wemade this little humantogether. Does that not prove our love and connection with one another?”

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