Page 74 of Not Over You

I bit down on my lip, hoping that would stop my heart from beating like a rampant beast.

Reed rolled onto his back and pulled my head onto his chest, his arm around me, fingertips feathering my shoulder as I lay beside him.

The hushed minutes that marched on allowed me to work up enough courage to talk—under one condition. “Promise you won’t say anything till I finish.”

Reed dropped a delicate kiss on my head. “Of course, baby. I promise.”

Puffing out a breath, I began to spill everything. “During a routine check-up, the doctor found something on my ovaries that turned out to be benign. He suggested I get the BRCA gene test to see if I was at risk for developing ovarian cancer. When the results returned positive, my doctor took me through best and worst-case scenarios. After discussing it with Chad, who’d proposed six months prior, we decided I should have the surgery, which meant I’d no longer be able to have children.”

Reed’s soft gasp made my heart sink.

“One week after a surgery that left me barren and scarred, Chad broke up with me, told me he wanted to marry a woman who could have children, that adoption wouldn’t be enough.”

I swallowed past the memory and the crushing feeling that I’d never be good enough for any man.

“You already know the rest…Sofie showed up to Noni’s Thanksgiving dinner with Chad, and the two announced their engagement.”

On the verge of tears, I continued, even though I knew my voice would sound shaky. “I stopped you from going further because my scar sits below my panty line. It’s become my Achilles heel, a constant reminder that I’m not worthy. I thought if you were to see it, you’d think so, too.”

Reed shifted me onto my back, then cupped my face in his hands.

He kissed my tears, then swiped them with his thumbs. “I’m so sorry you went through that.” His voice cracked, tears pooling in his eyes. “Sorry that dick made you feel unworthy.” His lips brushed against mine. “But, baby, believe me when I say, you are so fucking worthy, and I’m about to show you how much.”

Reed’s kisses were deeper, more sensual before his travels south.

I relaxed into the bed, eyes closed, as his mouth moved down my throat, then my belly, past my one-inch scar, until it reached my thong, my fingers gripping the sheets as he slipped them off.

When his tongue slid against my clit, I swear I sang his name.

He alternated between licking, sucking, and flicking as though my clit was an instrument and his mouth was the conductor.

“Reed,” I breathed out. “Please…”

I couldn’t manage more than that.

Hell, I probably didn’t even know my own name.

I became lost in the sensation building, knowing I was only one flick, lick, or blow away from falling apart.

When I arched into him, Reed licked and sucked hard on my clit, my body riding out the orgasm until I was spent.

Inching back up to my face, Reed caressed my lips with his, soft and tender, like a raindrop on a flower. “You’re beautiful, sexy, worthy, and all mine if you’ll let me love you again.”

I awoke the following day to the sound of my phone vibrating.

When I reached for it on the bedside table, I found a note beside it.

* * *

Baby,

It’s been a while since I’ve written you a love note.

This one is short and sweet.

Last night was amazing, and I’m looking forward to more of the same tonight.

I’m picking us up coffee and pastries.

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