“No way. Tell me.”
They stopped at her childhood bedroom. The last time she’d lived in this house, she’d been a teenager with not enough brains and let Jordan Everett steal her heart. God, she’d been so stupid. Jules still stayed there on occasion, like holidays, birthdays, and random family gatherings, but she’d never lived there again. She couldn’t do it. It was almost like starting all over again.
Now here was Rhys, and she loved him, not despite everything they’d been through but because of it. She laced her fingers with his and dragged him into the bedroom.
Her arms locked around his neck, and his mouth covered hers. And in that moment, she was home. Wherever he was, that was where she was supposed to be.
They shed their clothes, making a path across the bedroom, and tumbled naked onto the bed. He surrounded her with warmth that reached every part of her. They were hot and hungry, desperate for more as their searching hands and exploring mouths roamed.
Rhys slid inside her, and all was right in her world. The connection, the sensation, the absolute perfection of their bodies writhing together coalesced into more than she thought was possible.
Jules came again and again as their breaths tangled and raced. She needed this for the rest of her life.
When Rhys tipped his forehead to hers, their eyes locked, and she believed in them. This man was her everything.
“Baby.” His hoarse whisper rolled over her as his body drew closer to climax. “Look at me.”
Her absolute everything.
“I need you,” he said, thrusting into her.
She moaned her agreement.
“I need you.” He flexed into her. “I love you.”
The world stopped spinning on its axis. “I love you too.”
He groaned his release, pouring into her, and his orgasm reignited the last ripple of hers. She came with him, panting and kissing and needing him buried so deep inside her.
Carefully, he separated them, holding her until their seesawing breaths slowed. Then he slipped from the bed, went into the attached bathroom, and returned with a warm, wet cloth. After they were clean of his orgasm, he pulled her to his chest, pressing his lips to her temples.
“I want you to take me back to Virginia,” she whispered.
“You do, huh?”
She nodded.
“Why?”
Jules raised her chin and met his midnight stare. “Because I like your dog.”
Rhys laughed. “Good to know.”
“I like your house.”
“Well, you’re homeless right now. Beggars can’t be choosers.”
Her lips quirked. “You just want me to say it again.”
He smirked. “Yeah, let’s give that a go. Say it and see what happens.”
“I love you.”
He flipped her onto her back and caged her with his arms. “You do, huh?”
“You’re supposed to say it back.”
“I love you, baby. And I’m going to worship the ground you walk on. No matter where we are.”
