Page 68 of Casualties

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect first than this.I know in my heart, there is no going back.

It's me and him.

THIRTY-SEVEN

AINSLEY

We took a hot shower together, taking turns cleaning each other off.The blood that washed off his cock struck me with a tinge of embarrassment, but not for long.He wasn't bothered by it.If anything, it turned him on again—a reminder that he was my first.

As we’re toweling dry, the exhaustion hits.I know it’s late, but I have a feeling the sleepiness is stemming from my first real sexual experience.As I pick up my pajamas to put them back on, he stops me.

"Don't even think about putting your clothes back on.I want you naked lying next to me in my bed."He leaves no room for argument, and I see no reason to.I want nothing more than to cuddle my naked body against his.I'm surprised I'm this comfortable with a man.

Ace ate me out, check.

We had sex, check.

We showered together, check.

Now we are going to sleep with each other naked?Double check.I'm sure knocking a lot of firsts off the ol' bucket list.I wouldn't want this with any other man but Ace, he was my entire world for so long.And the periods of time when he wasn't, my life didn't make sense, no matter how hard I tried.

We lie down facing one another, with my body pressed firmly against his.I realize I never said it back.

"Ace?"

"Mmm...Yeah, baby?"

"I love you."His eyes lock me in place as he leans closer at my words."I mean, I'm in love with you."Just in case he wasn't clear on what I meant.I'm done hiding how I truly feel about him; he needs to know I'm all in.

His lips lock onto mine in an intoxicating kiss, stealing away any doubt.Breaking apart the kiss, he presses his forehead to mine.

"I've loved you since I was eleven—first as my best friend’s little sister, then as my friend.But now?Now, I’m in love with you—the woman I’m meant to spend my life with."

THIRTY-EIGHT

ACE

Slam!

I jolt awake, untangling myself from Ainsley's naked body."What the fuck?"

"Yeah!What the fuck is right!I fucking knew it!"Morgan storms through my room, barreling in like a force of nature.

"Morgan!Calm down man, let's go downstairs and talk this out."

"We aren't talking shit out!I asked you man-to-man, brother-to-brother if you had something going on with my sister, and you fucking lied!"

Crash!A lamp shatters in the corner after Morgan yanks it from its place on the bedside table and hurls it across the room.

"I know I lied, I'm sorry.I didn't want you to find out this way."I try to keep my voice even, attempting to calm him down, but he's not having any of it.I look back at Ainsley—she looks scared, covering her naked body with the sheet.

"I trusted you to be honest with me.”He turns to face his sister now.“How long has this been going on?Is that why you're not with Jackson anymore?Have you been cheating on him with Ace?"He’s yelling at her for shit he doesn't understand.Hearing Jackson's name has my blood boiling into rich hot lava that's about to explode.

"Morgan, no!That's not why we aren't together anymore.You don't know what happened!"she cries out.

"You think you both are so sneaky.I had my suspicions, but cursed myself for ever doubting my best friend.Little did I know, he's been fucking you the whole time!"His chest rises and falls with rapid, heaving breaths.This isn't a talk, it's DEFCON 1.

"ENOUGH!Yell at me all you want, I can take it, but you won't talk to your fucking sister that way!She's been through enough!"I jump out of bed, quickly pulling on my briefs.

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