Page 89 of The Truths We Find

“You feel so good, Dani,” he groans, bending down to claim my neck with wet, demanding kisses. His lips trail over my sensitive skin, moving to my nipples.

I wrap my legs around his waist instinctively, and that final connection sends us both over the edge. Gavin empties inside me, our moans so loud without a care of who hears us. Every nerve in my body screams as I follow him over the edge.

Gavin collapses against my chest. Our moans fading into ragged laughter. “Let me untie you,” he says. “I want to feel your arms around me.”

I can’t help but chuckle. Of the two of us, he’s the cuddler.

He reaches up, releasing my wrists, and they fall limply to the couch.

“I think I need a massage,” I whisper against him.

“I might be able to help with that. Want to join me in the shower?” he teases, a mischievous look in his eyes.

I shake my head, savoring the moment. The sound of the ocean waves is so calming, I don’t want to move.

“In a few. I don’t want this moment to end,” I say, pressing closer to him.

Gavin bends down and places a soft kiss on my head, breathing in us and the salty sea air. I close my eyes, feeling the weight of him, the heat of our bodies, and the quiet, perfect moment we’ve created together.

We barely slept last night. After the balcony, we moved to the soaking tub, and then to the bed, where Gavin and I did things I didn’t even know I was capable of without blushing. I’m exhausted, sore in all the best ways, and completely, utterly happy.

He’s driving me to my place to grab the things I need for the week, and I feel total bliss. Gavin reaches over the center console, intertwining his fingers with mine, resting our hands on his upper thigh. The simple touch brings me more comfort than I can put into words.

Over the past few months, I’ve seen how hard he’s worked to earn my trust back. We talk about everything—our fears, our wants, our needs. We haven’t fully opened the door on what happened all those years ago when he left me, but I know we will, in time. Sure, it’s frustrating to feel like some truths are still hidden, but Gavin is not the same man he was back then.

I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. It wouldn’t be fair to hold his past against him. Neither of us would be where we are today if it hadn’t happened. Yes, there was a lot of pain, but I choose to see the glass half full. The man beside me now is who I want to be with.

Now I just need to actually tell him. No pressure.

When we get inside my apartment, it’s dusty and in need of some serious TLC. I guess that’s what happens when you’re not here for a few weeks.

Oops.

“I’ll open some windows,” Gavin says, crossing the living room.

“Thanks. We might need to hang out a little bit to air it out. I don’t want to leave them open when I’m not here. That okay?”

“Of course. Would you rather we stay here for a few days?”

My gut sinks at the idea, and I’m not able to respond.

Gavin studies my face, his eyes bouncing between mine. “Dani?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

He reaches for my hands, his thumbs brushing over my wrists. “What’s wrong?”

“This was my home with Sam,” I admit, my voice catching. “And while I know now it wasn’t a healthy situation, I do have… happy memories here.” I take a shaky breath, trying to process my own words. “I know it’s messed up. And what makes it worse is the idea of sharing this space with someone else—it just feels wrong. Like I’d be cheating on him… even though we’re broken up. I just… I can’t do it.”

I look away, the vulnerability taking over. “Do you… hate me?”

“Sweetheart, I could never hate you,” he says. “Thank you for telling me that. I don’t fully get it, not for lack of trying, but I’ve never been in your shoes. You have every right to feel the way you feel. So, if that means I get you in my bed every night… well, that’s just a sacrifice I’ll have to make.”

He’s grinning now.

I roll my eyes. “Oh, how awful for you.”

“You’ll just have to make it up to me.” He leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. I try to deepen it, wanting more, but a sharp knock on the door breaks the moment.