Page 108 of Every Thought Taken

Did someone hurt her? Assault her?

Rage boils my blood at the thought of someone doing atrocious things to her.

Softly, her thumb strokes my cheek. “Whatever you’re thinking, please stop.”

I take a deep breath and shove aside the errant thoughts. “Then please tell me what has you ready to cry. Because my mind is running rampant.”

Bringing her other hand to my face, she levels me with her gaze. Soft greens stare back at me as she swallows. “When I say it’s been a long time, what I mean is”—she licks her lips and swallows again—“I haven’t been with anyone.”

My brows knit together and she brushes a finger over the ridge, making it relax.

“I haven’t been with anyone since you.”

Shock widens my eyes. “No one?”

She shakes her head. “I tried dating, but it never felt right. Not when I compared everyone to you.”

This odd mix of surprise and relief swirls in my chest. Every muscle in my body sighs. “I know the feeling.” Not that I will expand on that now. Not while we are skin to skin.

“Sorry if I ruined the moment.”

“Never apologize for how you feel.” I press my lips to hers. “You didn’t ruin anything. But if you want to stop—”

“No,” she cuts me off. Her legs circle my hips again. “I want this. God, do I want this.” Her fingers comb through my hair. “Maybe we just go slow this time.”

I stroke her cheek with my thumb. “Slow,” I echo with a nod. “Should probably get a new condom.”

After a quick condom swap, I ease down and settle into the cradle of her hips. Kiss the tip of her nose and stroke my thumb over her cheek. Then, ever so slowly, I rock inside of her. We make love with the light on, our eyes locked and fingers laced. WhisperedI love yous float in the air. And when her breathing picks up, I move faster. Climb the peak to my orgasm right beside her.

Her body grips my cock as she detonates around me. I memorize every second of this moment. Her euphoric expression and slack jaw. The red splotches on her chest, neck, and cheeks. The soft whimper on her lips. How her eyes seek mine the second they open.

I crash my mouth to hers, rock my hips again, and fall into the abyss with her. Where I belong.

CHAPTER59

HELENA

Ashiver rolls up my spine as a gust of wind whips my hair across my face. Anderson hugs me to his side as we stroll down Main Street toward Black Silk. Rubbing a hand up and down my arm, he presses a kiss to my crown.

“Want my jacket?”

Already in my own jacket, gloves, and scarf, I shake my head. If I say yes, his flannel will be his only source of warmth. “We’re almost there. And you need your jacket more than I do.”

Two blocks from the restaurant, he drops his arm from my shoulders, unzips his coat, opens the front, tugs me back to him, and wraps the fleece-lined jacket around my frame. He kisses my temple and snuggles me close. “Let me at least share it with you.”

Clasping his hand with mine, I don’t fight his hold. If anything, I strengthen it around my frame. Sink into his warmth and comfort. Bask in this new version of our relationship.

Anderson and I have known each other as far back as memories imprint our minds. We have always been connected. We always will be. From friends to best friends to lovers to…

I shake off thoughts of the darker years but don’t forget them. Those years shape so much of who we are now. Though we agree to take things slow, rebuild our friendship and see where it takes us, it doesn’t take us long to fall into each other again. To slip into the easy comfort of being together. Lazy days on the couch, wrapped up in each other. Strolls down Main, my hand in his. Nights next to a roaring fire, snuggled in a blanket as we whisper words of love and forever.

It took years apart, years of heartache and misery, for him to heal and for me to recognize how important he is to my happiness.

Anderson is my person. The one person Ineedin my life. To breathe, to think, to love. He stitches my broken pieces together. Makes me complete in ways no one else can.

Our past is rocky and scarred by tragedy. But our future is wide open and brimming with promise.

I snake my arm around his waist beneath the coat, fist the cotton of his flannel, and press my lips to the line of his jaw. “Love you, Ander.”

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