Page 62 of Boards & Betrayal

We stayed like that for a heartbeat—her breath mingling with mine, our bodies intertwined in the aftermath of shared pleasure. Slowly, our breathing began to sync, each inhale and exhale a reminder of the bond we’d just solidified.

Ally collapsed against me, her head resting on my shoulder as we both tried to catch our breath. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, unwilling to let go just yet.

For a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. There was only the sound of our breathing and the feel of her warmth against me. My mind drifted back to the tension and unresolved questions between us—what she was keeping from me, what Janet knew—but for now, those thoughts could wait.

I stroked Ally’s back gently, feeling the smoothness of her skin beneath my fingers. Whatever secrets she held would eventually come to light. But right now, I had no intention of letting her go.

We were tangled together in more ways than one, and though the road ahead was murky with complications and unspoken truths, this moment felt undeniably clear.

For now, she was here with me, and that was enough.

Chapter 19

Ally

Iwoke up in the morning, tangled in my sheets and in Tom. His arm was draped over my waist, a heavy but comforting weight. I felt the warmth of his breath on the back of my neck. For a moment, I just lay there, eyes closed, wanting to remember this, how it felt to be held so securely.

The sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I could hear the distant hum of the town waking up outside, but inside this room, everything was still. Tom’s chest rose and fell against my back, each breath steady and calming. I tried to memorize the rhythm, the way his presence made me feel less alone.

I shifted slightly, careful not to wake him. My hand brushed against his, and I intertwined our fingers. It was such a simple gesture, but felt monumental in its intimacy. I wanted to stay like this forever, suspended in this moment where nothing else mattered.

His grip tightened slightly as he stirred. I turned my head just enough to see his face. His eyes were still closed, but there was a faint smile playing on his lips. Even in sleep, he seemedcontent. It was a stark contrast to the tension that usually lined his features.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes again, letting myself sink into the feeling of being close to him. The world outside could wait.

Eventually, Tom’s breathing changed, becoming more alert. His fingers gently squeezed mine before he shifted behind me.

“Morning,” he murmured against my ear.

“Morning,” I replied softly, turning to face him.

His eyes opened slowly, meeting mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. He didn’t say anything for a moment; instead, he just looked at me like he was trying to capture this memory, too.

“Sleep well?” he asked finally.

I nodded, not trusting my voice to convey what I felt.

He brushed a strand of hair away from my face and kissed my forehead. “Good.”

I nestled closer into him, feeling his heartbeat against mine. For now, everything else could wait—this was where I wanted to be.

My face stung slightly, but I ignored it. The light from the window felt too bright, too intrusive for this moment. I shifted away from Tom’s embrace, trying to gather my thoughts.

"Go back to bed," I murmured, sitting up. "I need to get ready for work."

I leaned over and kissed his cheek. He groaned, a sound that was both endearing and exasperated.

"I’d rather go back to bed with you," he mumbled, even as his eyes closed again.

I laughed softly, the sound a rare but welcome release of tension. Standing up, I stretched, feeling the pull of muscles still sore from our time together. His shirt lay crumpled on the floor,and I grabbed it, slipping it over my head before heading to the tiny bathroom attached to my bedroom.

The mirror greeted me with a reflection that seemed both foreign and familiar. My hair was a mess of auburn tangles, and there were faint shadows under my eyes. A bruise marred my cheek, thanks to Nick. I knew I'd have to cover that up before Tom saw it. He'd be furious—with Nick, and with me for not telling him about it. But there was something else there too—a glimmer of contentment that had been missing for far too long.

I turned on the faucet, letting the water run cold before splashing it on my face. The sting faded slightly as the water hit my skin. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the day ahead.

As I brushed my teeth, I could hear Tom shifting in bed behind me. I smiled. As dangerous as it was, I could get used to this.

I stepped into the shower, letting the water cascade over me. The hot stream felt like a welcome balm against the lingering soreness in my muscles. I tilted my head back, closing my eyes as the water soaked my hair, turning it into a heavy curtain that clung to my back. For a moment, I just stood there, letting the steam envelop me and wash away the remnants of sleep.

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