Page 154 of The Rookie

"I needed it," she says, her voice breathy.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. For my, uh, academic development.”

"Well, good," I say, my grin softening as I tilt her chin toward me. "You’ve always gone after what you wanted. And I’m proud of you for that, Sinclair."

Her eyes flutter open, meeting mine, and for a second, there’s something raw and unguarded in her gaze.

"I matured a lot," she says softly.

"Yeah?" I tease, my lips brushing hers. "Does that mean you’ve finally decided what you want in life?"

Her cheeks flush deeper, her breath hitching as I move, and I know I’ve hit a nerve.

"I… I think so," she stammers.

"Yeah?" I press, my hand brushing over her throat, my thumb tracing her pulse. "Like what?"

She hesitates, her lips parting as if she’s searching for the right words.

"I want a lot of things," she whispers. "I want to be successful. I want to be happy. And… maybe one day, I want a family."

My heart twists, and for a moment, I forget to breathe.

"A family?" I ask, my voice low, my movements slowing as I search her eyes.

She nods, her hands sliding to my face. "Yeah. Not now, but…someday. I want to really be in love when I do it. I want it to mean something."

"It will," I promise, my voice rough. "And you will be amazing at it."

Her lips tremble, and she lets out a shaky laugh. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Do you want kids, Griffin?"

Jesus, woman.Quite a question at a time like this.

I lean in, my forehead pressing against hers. "I want everything. A big house, a messy kitchen, kids running around the yard. And you, Avery.”

“Yeah?” She breathes, heavy as I push in to the hilt. “I want it all—with you."

Her breath catches, her eyes widening.

"Griffin," she whispers, her voice breaking slightly. "I thought about you so much. So many nights…Oh God…fuck I’m gonna come…”

That’s all it takes.

The words hit me like a wrecking ball, and my control snaps.

We move together, her body arching into mine as I bury myself in her completely, my hands gripping her hips like I might lose her if I let go.

"I love you," I rasp, the words spilling out without hesitation.

Her eyes flutter open, glassy and soft, her lips trembling as she whispers back, “Aww, hell. I love you, too."

And then everything else fades.

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