Page 94 of Only Ever Yours

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, he’s nodding along in agreement, like he feels it, too.

“Peachy, this is fucking serious. I’m not fucking around anymore. The games are over. No more pretending like this thing between us isn’t real.” his eyes lock with mine before pressing a soft kiss to my lips. It's brief, but it grounds me once more. “I’m taking what I want now… and that’s you.”

His lips turn up in a sexy, knowing smile—He’s fully aware of his effect on me—and I feel mine do the same. And somehow, with just that little bit of truth, he’s calmed the nerves that were poisoning my mind. He shifts, lying back down, and pulls me with him, wrapping me up in his warmth.

His cuddles are the best.

His soft lips meet my forehead for a lingering kiss before he speaks, “Night, Peachy.”

“Night, Jay,” I whisper, lifting my chin to him. I’m met with his relaxed grin. I stretch up just enough to steal just one more kiss, and his arms pull me against him, tighter in response.

His fingers rub gentle circles into my back, calming me, until I finally drift off into the most peaceful sleep, knowing he’s here with me.

Chapter 26

Ellie

When I wake the next morning, I’m met with the warmth of his heavy arm wrapped around my waist. The steady rhythm of his shallow breathing tells me he’s not yet awake. The feel of his closeness and being snuggled in tight next to him has my mind spinning with endless unanswered questions.

Are we dating now? A couple?

Do I move all my stuff into his room or stay in mine?

Everything about these past twenty-four hours has been a complete whirlwind. I’m still trying to process everything that has happened—everything I thought I knew. All the things that I thought were true, I now know were nothing but lies.

All fucking lies.

And I have nobody else to blame but my sister.

My own damn sister of all people. I knew she was petty, but I didn’t know she would go to this extreme.

In the midst of my spiraling thoughts, my head spinning with questions, Jaydon shifts behind me. Then I feel his arms tighten around me, and I know he's awake.

How did I ever go this long resisting this man?

His nose rubs the length of my ear, causing a shiver to run the length of my spine. “Morning, Peachy,” he murmurs, his voice low and husky, right before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the side of my neck.

A smile instantly lights up my face. His rough morning voice is so sexy, and when I turn in his arms to face him, my breath hitches at the sight.

This man, I don’t know what I would have done without him. He’s been my anchor amongst the chaos this entire time, without me even realizing. He's gone out of his way to take care of me, and I’ve held so much hatred towards him, all due to my sister.

How could she do this to me?

I don’t know how I'll ever forgive her for this betrayal. I know I need to have a talk with her at some point, but I’m not ready for that yet. I need time to process and get my thoughts together because I know deep down, every fight between us only ends up hurting our mother. One day, I'll tell her exactly what she did to me, but for now, I need to heal. I need to move past the chaos of the lastfew months of my life and focus on the future… although I’m unsure of what that looks like.

But I know—as I lie here in Jaydon's arms—one thing for sure: he has to be part of it. With his strength and support, even through all my crazy shit, I know he’s the man I’m supposed to be with.

Shifting slightly, I glance up at him, “Does this feel weird, Jay?”

He pushes my hair gently away from my face as he replies, “Does what feel weird?” his voice is so soft and calming, while his eyes search my face.

I hesitate, suddenly feeling silly for even asking, “Lying here in the bed with me… after I slept in your bed all night?”

His face morphs into shock, his brows furrowing as he looks at me like I've said the most ridiculous thing. “Not fucking hardly.” He says, unable to hide his smirk.

I’m relieved at his answer, but then another question pops into my head, and I can't help myself when I ask, “Well, do you still hate me?” I’m almost scared to hear his answer, knowing all the shit I’ve put him through lately.

He rolls his eyes at my question and laughs. “No, Peachy, I've never hated you.” Then he presses a kiss to my forehead. When he pulls back, his eyes tighten, “Why are you smiling at me like that?”

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