Page 55 of Tattered and Torn

Her hair is mussed, a little wild, and she looks fucking gorgeous. She gestures to my shirt. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Honey, you can wear anything of mine you want.”

Her answering smile is everything.

I return to bed, giving her a few moments of privacy in the bathroom. I hear the toilet flush, and then the water runs in the sink. A moment later, she climbs back into bed with me and cuddles close.

“It’s late,” I say reluctantly. “I should go.” But I don’t want to.

Gabrielle traces the outline of my tatts with her fingertip. “Do you have to?”

I don’t want to. “I have an early morning trail ride.”

“How early?”

“We’re meeting at the barn at eight.” I slip my arm around her and hold her close. “Hey, about tonight.”

She rests her hand on my chest, right over my heart, and snuggles closer. “Yes?”

“I—um—I’m sorry I didn’t last longer.”

She chuckles.

“It’s been a while for me, and I—um—I was excited. Normally, I’ve got pretty good stamina.”

“I’m sure you do,” she says.

“I’ve never gotten complaints.”

“I’m sure you haven’t.”

When I feel her shaking slightly, I realize she’s laughing silently. I roll her onto her back and loom over her, gazing down into those gorgeous eyes. “You’re laughing at me.”

The corners of her eyes crinkle with amusement. “Not at you,” she says as she brushes my hair out of my eyes. “With you.”

I lean down and touch my nose to hers. “Next time, I’ll rock your world. I’ll make you come a dozen times, guaranteed.”

She laughs. “I don’t think that’s even humanly possible.”

“Just watch me,” I say.

She leans up and kisses me. “I will certainly enjoy you trying.”

I kiss her then, a slow, languid kiss. Our lips meld together perfectly, our breaths mingle. Tonight’s been perfect, and for the first time in a very long time, I feel hopeful that I’ve found the one.

When I lie back down, Gabrielle reaches across my body for my left hand, links our fingers together, and rests them on my chest. One of her silky-smooth legs slips between mine. She instructs her phone to set an alarm for six-thirty.

And just like that, I fall asleep with a red-haired angel in my arms, one of her legs tucked between mine. My scarred hand is joined with her hand.

The last coherent thought I have before sleep takes me under is, How in the world did this happen to me? And how will I recover when it ends?

Chapter 18 – Gabrielle

The next morning is a bit surreal. John wakes up before my alarm clock goes off. After a quick trip to the bathroom, he dresses quickly in the dark. “I have to go home to shower and change.”

“Why don’t you come to the restaurant for breakfast?” I suggest as I watch him pull on his underwear and jeans. He threads his belt through the loops and fastens it. “We can eat together before you head out.”

He sits on the side of my bed and pulls on his socks and boots. “I’ll stop in. I have to pick up our lunches for today’s ride anyway. I’m sure I can spare a few minutes for breakfast.” After buttoning up his shirt and tucking it into his waistband, he leans down and kisses me. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

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