He felt her meaning before it registered, the kiss she pressed to the side of his head followed by featherlight kisses over his forehead, his eyebrows, his cheekbone. She continued that miraculous exploration, on down over the day’s worth of stubble on his cheeks to his lips.
Only then did she take his mouth fully with her own, the warmest welcome he’d ever known.
“Come all the way inside with me.”
She took his hand and without waiting for him to say anything, drew him into her apartment and back toward the bedroom.
The work bag she’d carried home fell somewhere along the way, as did the raincoat she’d worn.
He vaguely felt her stop their movement to discard her shoes and insist he do the same.
Halfway down the hall to her bedroom, she slipped off the blazer she wore. His shirt ended up floating to the floor beside it.
And by the time they stepped into her bedroom, he had her slim figure in his arms, clad in nothing but a thin blouse and skirt, pressed to his bare chest. With her hands on him and his deftly removing what little remained, in a matter of moments Gavin was laying her down on the bed, naked and gorgeous beneath him.
“You’re even more beautiful than I remembered.” He ran a trail of kisses over her throat. “And I remember really—” he pressed a kiss “—really—” and then another “—really well.”
She sighed under his mouth, and he continued his exploration, on over her pretty expanse of cleavage before trailing his tongue over her breast. Soft moans filled the air, her body growing more restless beneath him as he took a nipple between his teeth. Her throaty response grew deeper, huskier, and he was gratified to know he gave her pleasure.
The signs of her pregnancy were everywhere, and as Gavin sat back and looked his fill, he had to admit the changes were gorgeous on her. Her breasts had an additional roundness that wasn’t there before, her hips, too. But it was the light swell of her stomach that captivated him.
Their child was there, nestled safe inside of her.
Sheer awe coursed through him as he bent and pressed his lips to that slight mound, imagining the small, perfect little form growing just beyond. Once again, that fierce need to protect rose up and swamped him, practically stealing his breath with its intensity.
His. They were his, and he’d give his life for them. Without thinking. Without hesitation.
Even with those feral thoughts raging through him, he felt the gentleness surround them. But it was the soft light in Sera’s eyes, as he lifted his gaze to hers, that nearly did him in. Whatever had brought them to this moment—whatever trials they’d faced so far and whatever they’d face in future—he knew he wanted to face them with her.
As partners.
As protectors.
And, with the miracle growing between them, as parents.
“Gavin.”
Her voice was whisper-soft, even as he heard the distinct notes of a demand beneath the quiet. Had his name ever sounded so sweet? So perfect?
And had he ever been more ready for a woman than he was at this moment? That insistent hum in the blood that could only be sated by making her his had ratcheted up so that he could hear nothing else. So that he could only feel.
He removed his slacks and underwear, the last barrier between them, and gave himself up to her.
It had been more than three months since they’d been together, but the pleasure arcing between them felt as familiar as breathing. And as new as a sunrise.
He positioned himself at the entrance to her body and stared down into her eyes. The woman he’d believed he would never see again—never touch again—had somehow found her way back to him.
It was a miracle mixed with a beautiful twist of fate.
And he would never take any of it for granted. Would never take what they had between them for granted.
There was still so much to figure out, but what had seemed unconquerable only a few weeks ago now seemed like an open road ahead. One they’d navigate together.
And as he felt her deft touch take him in hand, teasing his flesh as she guided him to her core, Gavin knew another truth. There was no other woman in the world for him. No other woman who could be so utterly perfect for him. No other woman who felt like home.
Home, he thought as their bodies joined, quickly finding a rhythm that worked for them both.
Whatever life had thrown at them both up to now, none of it mattered. Instead, the winding path to each other had provided perspective, wisdom and an understanding of why no one else had been right before. Why this time and this place was finally, perfectly, right.
When he felt the tell-tale signs of her release, his quickly followed.
And he let her welcome him home.
Was it possible to live on sex alone?
Sera knew the realities of her body suggested she’d have to move sooner or later for food and water, but in that instant, wrapped up in Gavin, she’d be content to stay here forever.
“Are you awake?” She whispered the words into the air, unable to move for the heavy sprawl of man who lay over her. It was a magical sensation, even if it limited mobility. Or, she hated to admit, a bit of her breath.
She didn’t have to wait long for an answer, his smile wide when he lifted himself up onto his elbows to look down on her. “Sorry. You made me forget my own name there for a while.”
Sheer delight coursed through her at his compliment. “Aren’t you sweet?”
“Actually, I’m a bit brain-dead, but who really needs the ability to balance a checkbook?”
“Those are the brain cells you gave up?”
“I wasn’t all that good at it anyway, so you’ve given me an outstanding excuse.”
