Page 162 of The Apple Tree

He kissed me to muffle my moans and his own as I curled my fingers into his backside, gripping him harder while he droveinto me faster. The best sensation unfurled in endless waves. Kyle hiked my leg closer to my chest and pistoned his hips faster until he came hard with an agonizing expression that settled into a huge grin when he opened his eyes and collapsed onto me.

I didn’t want him to pull out or move or speak. Despite the suffocating feeling of his body draped over mine, I felt wholly loved and wanted.

Desired and accepted.

I felt like a woman and a lover.

He rolled to the side, taking me with him. His gaze swept along my face. “Let’s take a shower,” he said with a grin.

“I should get home,” I murmured.

He slid his hand along my hip, up my side to my breast, thumb circling my nipple. “Baby,” he leaned into me, brushing his lips over mine, “you’ve arrived. I’m your new home.”

I closed my eyes as he peppered my face with light kisses. “Kyle, I love you,” I whispered. “And I know you only came after me because some of Josh’s favorite recipes are too complex for you to figure out.”

“Shh … let’s not dwell on the reasons,” he said.

I giggled.

The following morning,I sat in the middle of Kyle’s bed as he dressed.

“I’m scared,” I said. “My dad is going to be so mad.”

He threaded his arms into his long-sleeved T-shirt. “Josh will be with us. And I’ll suggest we pray together before discussing anything.”

“That’s really smart.”

“Thanks.” He sat on the end of the bed and pulled on his socks. “I knew you’d eventually come around and acknowledge my superior intelligence.”

I lifted onto my knees and pressed my chest to his back, arms around his neck. “You were going to let me go. That makes you stupid. I’m quite the catch.”

“And humble. Don’t forget how humble you are.”

I laughed and he leaned back, forcing me onto my butt with his head on my leg. My fingers played in his hair.

“I can’t make this right, Eve,” he sighed.

“Make what right?”

“Us. There is nothing I can say to your father that will make him feel okay about us.”

“That’s because he’s stubborn.”

“No. He’s your father. He’s a man of God. And he’s not entirely wrong to feel the way he does.”

My fingers stilled, my whole body stiffened.

“Look at me, Eve.” Kyle gazed up at me.

I clenched my teeth while looking at him.

“Think about it. Say it in your head. Imagine it’s not us.”

“Say what?” I questioned.

“You are eighteen. I am twenty-eight. That’s ten years. When Josh was born, you were thirteen.”

“What are you saying?” My voice felt tight, each word fighting for composure like the rest of me.

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