As our bodies moved in perfect harmony, I felt like we were reclaiming a stolen part of ourselves. The faster he moved, the more whole I started to feel.

“Come for me, Samantha. Take me with you into heaven.” He picked up the pace. I moved with him. There’d always been a harmony to sex with us, but now we moved as one, chasing pleasure together.

30

Henry

There had been moments in the past when everything in the world felt right. Nearly all of them were with Samantha. But as I joined with her, a sense of perfection came over me. Like all the pieces of my life finally fell into place.

I closed my eyes, savoring the feel of her pulsing around my dick, her breath against my face, her... all of her... making me whole.

I didn’t deserve her. I knew that now. If I was honest with myself, I knew it five years ago. Perhaps that was why I’d pushed her away. All I knew was that I was terrified of my own feelings, of how much power this woman had over me.

Today, I was smarter. I was ready to hand over all that I was to this woman. I wanted to commit my life to hers forever. I was lucky to have her forgiveness, but I hadn’t earned her trust, and until then, I couldn’t ask for forever.

I moved inside her, wanting to make love the entire night, but my body had other ideas. Together, she and I moved, faster, harder, reaching the pinnacle together, our breaths holding, our bodies going taut, until a final plunge and we soared.

Pleasure swept through me, sweet and pure.

“Henry.”

Hearing my name on her lips sealed the deal. My heart was now full. “I love you.”

I held her, intending to never let her go. I only moved to shift my weight off her. At her side, I pulled her close and kissed her temple. I wanted to stay the night. To wake up by her side. But again, that might be too much, too soon. And maybe she wouldn’t want Pax to find us together.

“Do I need to go?”

She looked up at me, and I hated the way her breath hitched and her eyes turned wary.

“I don’t want to go,” I said quickly.

She relaxed in my arms. “No, you don’t have to go. But I should unlock the door and we should get dressed. I don’t want Pax to worry if he can’t get to me.”

She started to move, but I held her in place. “I’ll do it.” I rolled from bed, unlocking the bedroom door. I grabbed my boxer briefs, sliding them on. Then I picked up Samantha’s pajamas and gave them to her.

When she dressed, I lay next to her again, holding her close. As I drifted to sleep, I vowed to never let her go.

Morning light streamedthrough the curtains, casting a golden glow on Samantha’s skin. I’d woken twenty minutes ago and simply lay, watching her, worried it was a dream, hoping it was real. Next to me, Samantha slept, looking like an angel, peaceful and beautiful. I gently brushed a strand of her blonde hair from her cheek, not wanting to disturb her.

“Are you living with us now?”

My head jerked to the side of the bed to find Pax looking at me. How long had he been there?

“Hey, Son.” My heart swelled at the knowledge that we were a family—or would be as soon as I had Samantha’s trust. “Hold on, okay?”

He nodded.

I slipped from bed, glad that Samantha was smart enough to suggest I cover up. I put on my slacks and shirt.

“Let’s let your mom sleep, okay?” I took Pax’s hand and led him out of the room. “Is Marie up?”

“She’s making breakfast. Mommy usually helps me get dressed.”

“I can help you.”

I put the toothpaste on his toothbrush and counted, as he’d instructed me to do, to make sure he cleaned all his teeth. He combed his hair, missing the cowlick, but I decided it was okay. He was able to get into his clothes himself but needed help tying his shoes.

As we walked downstairs to breakfast, I sent a silent prayer that we’d have this nice, domestic life in the near future.