Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
“Damn straight. Nothing better than the sight of your sweet body taking me deep, and you fucking love it, don’t you?
“Yes,” I whimper. “I love everything you do to me. I-I love you.”
They are words I’ve spoken countless times before, during all the moments we’ve spent together as friends. But not like this. Not in a way that fills my heart as completely as it does now.
Gunnar pauses behind me, his breathing heavy and labored.
I close my eyes, praying I didn’t just mess this up.
“Say it again,” he demands, his voice rough and vulnerable.
I turn my head fully, locking eyes with him over my shoulder. “I love you.”
Stark emotion fills his gaze, giving me a small glimpse into the fractured soul he has kept so guarded, even from me. It’s as beautiful and heartbreaking as I always expected it to be. It’s a glimpse that lasts only seconds before determination replaces it, propelling him forward again, this time even deeper.
I bite down on my lip and brace myself against the sheer force of his thrusts. My moans become louder, accompanying each drive of his hips until anticipation builds in my belly again, and Gunnar senses it.
“One more time, baby.” His strong hands tighten around my waist, drawing me closer as I reach the peak of pleasure. He lets go at the same time.
A guttural groan marks his own release. “My sweet Ellie,” he croons. “The one who never left.”
Those heartbreaking words resonate deeply, weaving themselves into the very fabric of my soul.
Afterward, he removes himself from my body and gathers me in his arms, effortlessly lifting me as if I weigh nothing more than a feather before carrying me up to the apartment.
I cling to him, grateful for the support, knowing my legs wouldn’t work properly right now.
He settles us into bed, pulling me close until our bodies fit together like two pieces of the same puzzle.
Silence rages in the darkness as his fingers trace a soothing pattern on my back. A contentment he breaks moments later.
“Did you mean it?” his voice is a vulnerable whisper in the night, carrying the weight of an unspoken question.
But I don’t need clarification. I know exactly what he’s asking. Lifting my head, I meet his gaze in the shadows. “Yes, I meant it.”
A flicker of emotion passes through his eyes like a fleeting witness. He visibly swallows and then opens his mouth, but before any words can escape, I press my finger to his lips, my fear silencing him.
“Don’t say anything. I don’t need to hear it back. I just wanted you to know.”
I’m not sure why, maybe because silence is safer than the absence of reciprocation.
Rather than respond with words, his lips meet mine in a soul-shattering kiss, a silent declaration that transcends the need for any verbal affirmation.
He rolls over top of me, conveying an unspoken promise through the language of touch and it’s enough for now.
Gunnar
Exhaustion from a long day presses down on me, my burning eyes and heavy limbs resenting the fourteen-hour shift.
I never mind working overtime; it comes with the territory, and I’m always grateful for the business, but working until almost ten o’clock every night this week leaves little time for my favorite part of the day, and that’s being with Ellie.
Whether it’s being buried deep inside her, enveloped in her warmth and intoxicating scent, or listening to her laugh and ramble about the stupidest shit, these are now the moments I live for. Though, if I’m being honest, I’ve always lived for any moment with her since we were kids.
After doing a quick survey of my surroundings, I take note of the several unfinished tasks and decide it’ll still be here tomorrow. Which is why I say “fuck it” and call it a night.
Tossing my wrench back in the toolbox, I make my way to the back room to clean up. I strip out of my grime-covered workwear, shedding the heaviness of the day along with it, then wash up at the sink.
A hot shower beckons me, but I resist the temptation, saving that indulgence for when I’m with Elle.
Just as the thought surfaces, the unmistakable sound of footsteps resounding through the shop greets my ears, sending Bear into a barking frenzy.
A scowl forms on my face as I wonder who the hell is coming by at this hour.
It better not be Ryland coming back. As much as I appreciate his help, he already does too much for someone who is supposed to be retired.
Shutting off the sink, I dry my hands and emerge from the back room to find the girl I was eager to get home to. The one my thoughts are constantly consumed with.
My best friend.
Elle kneels next to Bear, hugging him and kissing him like she always does.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” I say in greeting, an easy grin falling over my face as I stride toward her. “I was just about to lock up.”