Page 104 of Until You Found Me

“And maybe I can tell you more about her? There are so many memories I want to share.”

“I wanna know everything.”

She is quiet for a moment before needing to change the subject or risk crumbling here in the snow. “There was a letter in the mail yesterday. I dunno why I waited to tell you. I guess maybe I wanted her to hear it, too. It said I own the house now. That I need to take care of the paperwork. I’m going to sell it. The sooner the better.”

The house. The one that took her child and broke both their spirits. The one where Tessa almost died.

It never crossed her mind that she would inherit everything Nick owned, but they were still married prior to his death, so she’s been granted his bank accounts and personal effects along with that haunted house. It’s been repaired since the fire, even if she still smelled ash every time she inhaled. Could have sworn the paint was peeling to reveal soot underneath, but that was only a figment of her tortured mind and she shouldn’t have much trouble unloading it now.

“Let’s use some of the sale money to sail up the coast like we talked about?”

Logan is quick to agree. It’s a plan they’ll have to flesh out for it to make sense. Something they’ll need to time properly to gather his medication at a cheaper rate while they’re there, but it feels right to know that the proceeds from this place will help finance a better future.

Rose would have loved the trip. Now, it’s up to Tessa to enjoy it for both of them.

It is the start of a new beginning discussed in a place full of sorrow. In plenty of ways, her heart continues to ache and squeeze until she can’t breathe. She hoped she’d find relief here, but relief is elusive and all she can manage is the smallest hint of closure. There is peace in knowing she can come back here whenever she wants to. That she can cry about her daughter whenever she needs to. That nothing and no one will attempt to quiet her again or keep her away.

* * *

They’re in bed watching a movie a week and a half later when the alarm on his phone goes off.

Tessa lunges for it with a twinkle in her eye, showing him the screen. “Four weeks.”

They’ve been teasing their boundaries every night since week two. He would slide his hand down over her ass while she lay naked against his side, tracing a fingertip along the seam of her until she hitched her leg further up his thigh.

“Logan…” she warned.

“Want me to stop?”

“No.”

Right after surgery, she couldn’t fathom feeling aroused again. Logically, she knew she’d recover and things would get back to normal. Showering and making meals drained every bit of her energy. Sex wasn’t on her mind, and she was certain it hadn’t been on his either.

Slowly but surely, her desire crept back in as her bodyhealed and those naked cuddle sessions turned far more heated.

He would rub lazy fingers between her legs while both their stares were fixed on the TV screen. Sometimes, she would be on her back beside him and would open her thighs so he could play there, and other nights she’d nestle into his side, one leg thrown over his hip and his hand curving around past her ass to find her wet.

Logan would spread her arousal across heated skin, often making mundane comments about whatever show they were watching as if he didn’t have his fingers stroking her toward an orgasm. It’s only vigorous activity they had to be careful of. It was perfectly safe to allow a single thick finger to push into her while she wrapped her own hand around his shaft, pumping gently while his touch brought her to a quiet orgasm and he spilled over her knuckles with a reflexive jerk of his hips.

It’s been a welcome relief and a torturous form of foreplay.

All she wants is to feel him inside her again.

He grabs the phone and tosses it to the side, leaning in to sweep a greedy kiss against her lips.

She’s on her back a moment later and laughs at how eager he is, the throb between her legs proving that her own fire burns just as hot. She has never felt so ready to have a man push into her as she is right now and her body trembles in anticipation. In a way, it’s like the first time all over again…again.

“We’ll take it easy. You’ll tell me if anything hurts?” he says.

She nods. “You will too?”

He grunts out an affirmation and then anything else she might say is swallowed in another swift kiss. It’s been four weeks of build-up, and sleeping naked has a perk: easy access.

Her thighs part for him to settle there, the delicious weight of him drawing a whimper from her throat. His chest slides over her breasts and both arms curve under her shoulders as if to hug her closer. He grinds against her with a soft groan, suckling at the pulse point in her neck.

She tries to catch the tip as he passes over her opening to draw him inside. Her knees bend high until they creep up his ribs, his growl vibrating against her skin when he begins to push into her.

And then he stops.

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