Page 80 of After You Returned

“Don’t you worry. I’ll give you at least one more.”

She lifts her eyebrows. “Two?”

“Challenge accepted.”

I roll off the bed and shove my jeans down my legs before removing my shirt. Once I’m naked, I crawl back on the bed but swear and stop before I reach her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Forgot a condom.”

She meets my gaze. “You seriously haven’t had sex with anyone but me in a year?”

“You’re the only woman for me.”

She widens her legs. “Then, let’s forgo the condoms. I’m on the pill.”

I know she’s on the pill. But even if she wasn’t, I wouldn’t care. A baby would be a perfect way to connect us forever. I mentally slap myself. There I go again, trying to control her.

As much as I can’t wait to see her stomach round with my child, the decision has to be hers. I learned my lesson. Trying to control Hazel is a one-way street to Lonely Town.

I climb back onto the bed and crawl between her legs. I notch my cock at her entrance. “You’re sure?”

She digs her fingernails into my shoulders. “I’m sure.”

I sink into her until my balls slap against her ass. I have to pause to get myself under control. I’m not coming like some one pump wonder just because I finally have the woman I want beneath me.

This is it. This is the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my days with. Now it’s time to show her how much she means to me.

Chapter 27

I should have realized people would start betting.

Hazel

Icuddle into the warm body behind me before sighing in contentment. Last night was amazing. I should have known. Miles is right. Our chemistry is red hot.

But there’s more to us than chemistry. Such as Miles cuddled into my back with his arm wrapped around my waist. And Miles saying I love you. More than once.

A tiny flicker of hope tries to ignite. I expunge it. It’s too early to feel hopeful. Yes, Miles said he loves me. But he’s said those words before. And then abandoned me when he started his pro surfing career. I don’t trust him.

Yet.

Fine. I snarl at the overly optimistic voice in my mind. I don’t trust him yet.

The flicker of hope ignites again. But I can’t expunge it this time. I want to be hopeful. I want Miles to stay with me.

I love him after all. I always have. And I probably always will.

But love isn’t always enough.

Miles squeezes my waist. “What are you thinking so hard about this morning?”

“How do you know I’m thinking hard?”

He rolls me onto my back before looming over me. “This tells me you’re worried.” He traces a finger down the wrinkle on my forehead.

“If you say I have wrinkles, I’m kicking you in the balls.”