Page 121 of One Reckless Night

46

AMELIA

His admission that he loved me—really loved me—wasn’t entirely unexpected, but hearing him say it so plainly, so honestly, made something inside me settle. It was as if a quiet reassurance had taken root, one that I hadn’t realized I’d been searching for.

The last couple of weeks had been comfortable. We spent time together and I felt like we had grown close, but to know he loved me was like the icing on the cake.

Jared helped me up the stairs from the beach. He opened the door for me, his hand resting gently on the small of my back as I stepped inside.

“What do you want to eat?” Jared asked, heading toward the kitchen. “I can make something quick.”

“Are you cooking?” I raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Should I be worried?”

Maybe it was the hormones or maybe it was a need to consummate the next phase in our relationship. Or maybe I was just horny. He had not touched me since he brought me home from the hospital. I understood it. He was worried it was going to hurt me or the baby.

But dammit, I had needs.

He was rummaging around in the fridge and all I could think about was getting him naked. “We’ve got some leftover lasagna,” he said.

“No.”

“Okay, how about I make some noodles. You like pasta.”

“I don’t want pasta,” I said.

He glanced over his shoulder, frowning at first. He must have noticed the look in my eyes. He stood up straight and closed the fridge.

“Feeling okay?” he asked in a husky voice.

“I’m feeling…hungry.”

He grinned and stepped toward me. “Hungry? Or hungry?”

“I want you.”

His nostrils flared. “What about the baby?”

“The baby is fine,” I said. “The doctor said I’m fine. We’ll take it easy.”

“You’re sure?”

“Very. I’m going to need you upstairs and naked.”

He grinned. “Shit, an actual bed. What will we do.”

“I think we’ll figure it out.”

Jared reached for my hand and led me to the stairs. We walked to his bedroom.

He cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing lightly over my cheeks. “You’re sure?” he asked again, his voice low. “I don’t need this from you. I of course want it, but I don’t want you to think that’s what this. I’ll love you without sex.”

“I’m sure,” I whispered, my breath catching as he leaned in, his lips hovering just above mine.

And then he kissed me. Slowly, deeply, with a tenderness that made my heart ache. His hands slid down to my waist, pulling me closer. I melted into him, my fingers tangling in his hair. We moved toward the bed.

When we reached the edge of the bed, Jared paused, his eyes searching mine. “Tell me if anything feels off,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “I will be gentle.”

I nodded, unable to form words as he gently lowered me onto the mattress. He followed me down, his body hovering over mine as he kissed me again, his lips trailing along my jawline and down my neck. His hands were everywhere.