Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“You’re twenty-six, today, birthday girl. How is that possible?”
Even though he can’t see me, I shrug. “I never open my heart. As you know, growing up the way we did, trust doesn’t come easily. There have been too many rejections, too many let-downs and empty promises. My therapist would say that I locked my heart down. That’s part of it, I guess, but the bigger part is I never felt safe enough with anyone else to let my guard down. I feel safe with you,” I confess, very aware that I’m laying myself bare for this man in more ways than one.
“Fuck,” Foster rasps as he pulls me to his chest, hugging me tightly. I don’t hesitate to wrap my arms around him and return his embrace. When he finally pulls away, his hands rest against my cheeks. “Eden, baby, are you sure about this? You really want it to be me?” There’s awe in his tone.
“I trust you, Foster. I’m not asking for a marriage proposal, and I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with or ready for, but I have zero doubts, and I know there will be zero regrets sharing this moment with you.”
Silence falls between us, the storm rattling the windows outside, reminding us of its presence.
“It’s been years,” he says. “I couldn’t get past the guilt of wishing whoever it was, was someone else.”
My heart stalls, then starts up again at a rapid pace. I know he still loves her, and that fractures a little piece of the hope I was holding on to that tonight could lead to something more. Regardless, I choose him if he’ll have me. I’ve fallen too far. I feel too much for him to stop this now. If tonight is all I’ll ever have, I’ll cherish it with every breath I take, until it’s my last.
“I don’t think about her when I’m with you,” he says, dropping his own truth bomb, rebuilding the fragile hope I thought was withering away. “The thought of being the first man to be inside you… Fuck me, Eden, it’s a gift I’m not worthy of,” he croaks, his arms tightening their hold on me.
“I want you.” Leaning in close, I press my lips to his.
He whispers his confession, “I want you, too.”
“I don’t care what it changes. I don’t care what it complicates. If this, if tonight is all that we have, I still want it. I want this with you, Foster. I’ve always followed my gut, and my gut tells me that it was always meant to be you.” My voice doesn’t shake, despite the way everything inside me feels as though it’s falling to pieces.
“Fuck,” he says, his lips capturing mine.
The distance between us is nonexistent. This meeting of our lips isn’t rushed or uncertain. There’s no hesitation, no second-guessing. It’s quiet but full, loaded with everything we’ve never said out loud and everything we’re too afraid to name. His grip on me tightens, and he groans into my mouth.
He wants this as badly as I do.
He wants me.
This kiss feels different. His lips are soft, yet firm and filled with intention. This time, we’re not stopping, and my heart kicks into overdrive at the thought. I don’t know what happens after tonight, but this doesn’t feel reckless. Hell, it doesn’t even feel temporary. It feels like a choice. One that we’ve both made. One that will not only complicate but also change the dynamics of who we are to one another.
Everything fades away, except for him. Just Foster and this moment, our connection, and my confidence that this is exactly where I’m meant to be. Even with that realization, my heart pounds so hard, my chest aches, because I know with absolute certainty that whatever changes or consequences come our way after tonight, this moment is real. We both chose this, and neither one of us is walking away from it.
For once, we’re both staying.
He just doesn’t know that I’d stay forever if I could.
Foster moves to the edge of the couch, and I squeak, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Grab the flashlight, babe,” he rumbles, and I do as he asks, reaching over to grab one of the lights. “Legs around my waist,” he instructs as he stands, and I wrap myself around him.
He carries me upstairs in the dark, but I’m familiar enough with the layout of his condo to know we’ve just stepped into his bedroom. When we reach his bed, he places me on the mattress gently.
“I’ll be right back,” he says, kissing me quickly. “When I get back, I want you naked,” he calls over his shoulder as he leaves the room, flashlight in hand.
I don’t need power to get undressed, so I climb to my feet, stripping out of my clothes and letting them fall to a pile on the floor. I push the pile with my foot off to the side, because I don’t want Foster to trip over them.