Page 87 of Absinthe Minded

“But you’re not.” I licked my lips and motioned to his less-than-ready appendage. “Come here, let me help you.”

As if by magic, the mere suggestion of a blow job hardened his cock before he’d slid between the sheets.

“You were saying?” Suited up and ready to go, he crawled on top of me.

The world seemed to hinge on my next breath, his next move. We stayed still for a heartbeat. In torturous slow motion, he pushed his hips forward and sank deep inside me.

I clutched his shoulders and bit my lip to keep the moan building in my throat from escaping. I felt him everywhere—his soapy scent, his still damp hair, his hard chest, and soft hands. It was overwhelming.Hewas overwhelming.

I couldn’t focus on my pleasure and look at him at the same time. I closed my eyes and turned my head.

“Look at me,” he whispered.

My breath caught when I met his gaze. Gabe Marchionni, one of the strongest men I knew, had tears in his eyes.

This time he looked away.

Rather than telling him I understood, that I was in this with him, that he was my first and my last love, I wrapped my hand around the back of his head and pulled his face to mine.

“I love you.” Gabe nuzzled against my cheek, thrust a few more times, and released a shuddered breath. “I’ll never let anything happen to you.”

“I love you, too.” My voice cracked. We’d said the words before, but this time I felt them in my soul.Heaven help me, I can’t imagine my life without him.

Our bodies still connected, he rolled us to the side and cocooned me in his arms. For the first time in a long while, I felt cherished.

Ryan opened the bedroom door. “Aunt Maggie. I need you.”

My heart jumped into my throat. I scrambled to make sure all of the important parts were covered. “What’s the matter?”

Gabe mumbled something about locking the door.

“I had a bad dream. Read me a story.” He rubbed his eyes.

“I’d love to. Go pick out a book and get in bed. I’ll be right there.”

The boy nodded and shuffled back into the hall.

I waited to make sure he’d gone and slid into my robe. “Stay here. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

“Make it five.” Gabe rolled over and hugged my pillow. If I had to place bets, I’d wager he’d be fast asleep before I made it to Ryan’s room.

The boy sat in his bed with his favorite book in his lap. I eased in beside him and read about a little bird that lost his way home. When I’d finished, I leaned over to kiss the top of his head and smelled chocolate.

I sniffed again. “Why do you smell like cake?”

“Because I ate the icing.” He squirmed away, but I pulled him close.

“How much did you eat?”

“Cocoa and I ate it all,” Ryan whispered. “Then she threw up all over.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “Oh my. Then what happened?”

“Zach hurt his ankle, but he still made me take a bath.” Ryan folded his arms and stuck out his lower lip.

I poked his side until he giggled. “I don’t think you got it all off. Did you use body wash?”

“There isn’t any, and Zach wouldn’t let me use the shell soaps.”

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