Page 69 of A Matter of Trust

So close. So close.

A jagged ripple rocked his body from top to toe, almost unseating her but his strong fingers gripped her thighs, keeping her in place as he cried out his release, the flash of heat taking her almost to the peak but falling away too soon.

She recognised the moment he realised he’d left her hanging and his hand moved but she pushed it away. ‘It’s okay. It’s fine.’

She flopped onto his body and he wrapped his arms around her, rolling them onto their sides, still connected.

‘I’m sorry, Becca.’

She pushed damp hair back from his forehead. ‘I’m good. Really.’

His hold tightened and he buried his face in her throat, his body racked with emotion.

Her eyes filled with tears when she recognised the muffled sobs that signified the intensity of his reaction. He’d trusted her and found his own trust in himself. It was much more than she could ever hope for. Whatever happened now, she would treasure this night.

***

Morgan stared over the snow-covered fields, trying to recapture the moment of despair when he’d thought he’d lost all hope of a future with Becca and his children.

He couldn’t. He was chock full of emotions; his head spinning, but despair was not one of them.

Becca lay replete in his bed, snuggled under the quilt. He’d made up for his earlier deficiency with an almost embarrassing enthusiasm. Like a teenager discovering sex for the first time. Becca hadn’t exactly discouraged him and they’d enjoyed a blissful romp before falling into sleep once more. At least Becca slept. He’d been too full of unruly sensations to sleep.

Warm hands slid around his waist and clasped themselves at his midriff. She rested her head against his back, her warmth melding against his naked flesh. ‘Couldn’t you sleep?’

‘I rang the hospital. Edward slept like a lamb and is wallowing in the attention. I said we’d be there around nine.’

Becca pulled away, allowing him to turn around. ‘That’ll give me time to go home and change.’

A frown wrinkled her brow as she pulled on his robe and went out to the sunroom to collect her clothes. Had they resolved things, or only added a layer of complicated to the situation?

He pulled on fresh underwear, almost regretting the shower, washing away Becca’s scent from his body. Jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt were a good start. He’d have to use a jumper and his bomber jacket this morning, the ski jacket still needing salvaging after its drenching.

Becca didn’t give him a chance to ask questions, scurrying out of the bathroom in her clothes from last night. ‘Can you give me a lift or will I walk?’

‘I’ll drive you. It’ll save time and we can head straight into the hospital.’

She was checking her messages in the car and flung herself out the moment they arrived at her place. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can.’

He sat in the car for a moment, watching her half jog around the back of the house.

This wasn’t going to work. They had to have things clear before they picked up Edward.

The house was cold from being left empty overnight. He flicked on the heater in the kitchen and the children’s bedroom before heading to Becca’s room.

She was gathering her clothes together and frowned as he entered the room. ‘I said I’d be as quick as I can. I need a shower.’

‘I’ll come and talk to you while you wash then.’ She opened her mouth to protest but he held up his hand. ‘We have to have things sorted between us before we see Edward. I thought we had, but you’ve been avoiding talking.’

She stalked past him to the bathroom and turned on the heater and exhaust fan. ‘I don’t know what to say. Things are different this morning.’

A tightness sat high in his chest at her retreat. ‘Why are they different? I thought we agreed we loved each other and we could look at marriage and creating a family.’

She hesitated as she pulled her boots off. ‘The situation isn’t quite the same. You have more possibilities.’

‘As far as I know, you are the only person who is the mother of my children and the only person I love.’

Avoiding his eyes, she adjusted the shower over the bathtub. ‘You have more options now. You don’t have to worry about the … the sex thing.’

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