“No, you didn’t. She’s hurt but she’ll forgive you.”
“I really hope you’re right,” Taryn responded, chewing on her lower lip.
“You didn’t fuck things up with me either. You hurt me. You made me angry. We can work through that though. I haven’t given up on you.”
She tried to suppress the joy bubbling up inside of her, but still she asked, “You haven’t?”
He shook his head and said, “I was angry earlier. I wanted you to take the first step. To come and talk to me, and then when you did, I was an asshole. I’m sorry.”
“I see,” she said, confused.
“No. I don’t think you do,” he said. “Do you really think I’d be over here discussing any of this with you if I wasn’t still ridiculously in love with you?”
She watched him, her breath caught in her throat. Relief swamped her senses. “Oh, thank god you didn’t let me fuck this up.”
The look he gave her now was so steady. It was so patient, that she did the only thing she could think of. She said, “I love you, too, Evan. And it’s terrifying.”
“It is,” he agreed. He held out his arms and said, “Now, come here, please.”
Eyes watering again, she moved over on the couch and crawled into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and crushed her against his chest.
She pressed her mouth against the side of his throat and whispered, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
He clutched her so tightly to him that she could feel the vibrations of his chest when he said, “It’s okay, baby. Next time just talk to me.”
“I will,” she whispered. “I promise.”
He loosened his grip on her so he could look at her face. Seeing her tears, he wiped at them and said, “No more crying now.”
“Happy tears this time,” she said, swiping them from her cheek.
He leaned in, pressing his lips against the damp tracks that ran down her cheek. When she shifted her face slightly, her lips found his. They sank into a slow, gentle kiss. She clutched at his shoulders as his tongue explored her mouth.
Her profound sense of relief eventually gave way to something much more primal. As the kiss continued, she felt the hand that had been gently stroking down her back begin to roam with more urgency. She scooted closer, wrapping her arms around his neck, and moaned against his lips.
Without breaking the kiss, he scooped her into his arms and blindly led them toward the bedroom, managing to get them there in one piece. When he set her down, they began pulling urgently at each other’s clothing as if they had been separated for years instead of just a few short days. Heedlessly, they tossed aside clothing until they stood there naked.
He took her hand, tugging her down to the bed to lie beside him. They stretched out next to each other, bodies pressed together. The look in his eye was so intense that Taryn’s heart began to flutter.
When he reached down to cup her face he said, “I love you.”
Her heart so full, she said, “I love you, too. So much.” She still couldn’t believe that he had forgiven her. It was so much more than she could have ever hoped for.
He shifted the hand from her face and pressed her so she lay flat on her back. As he nipped at her lips, he said, “I want you so badly right now, sweetheart.”
“I’m yours,” she whispered against his mouth. “Take me.
Slowly, gently, his hands stroked over her until she was all but whimpering his name.
Eventually, he settled between her thighs. Propping himself up on one arm, he rubbed the tip of his cock against her, teasing them both.
Taryn reached down, her hands pulling at his hips. “I need you inside me, Evan.”
With no further comment, he tilted his hips and sank into her. Once he was buried inside her he said, “You feel so fucking good.”
In answer she moaned his name and rolled her hips against his.
Slowly, gently, gazes locked, they continued to rock against each other. This time it was different, she realized. It had always been intense. The connection had always been real and deep, but this time they were making love. That knowledge alone pushed her toward the edge.