Straddling the Line(97)

“Trying to read—to comprehend—every time I tried it made me mad. And getting angry and frustrated scared me, because it made me remember my dad. So I just backed away from it. I ran away from it. I’ve been in denial all these years, pretending it didn’t exist. I hired people I trusted who would keep my secret, refusing to talk about. If I didn’t talk about it, I didn’t have to acknowledge it existed.”

“It does exist. What you do about it now is up to you. I will never tell anyone about this. You can trust me.”

It was time to push the fear and shame into the past. He was tired of hiding. “How do I get help? Will you help me?”

“I will help you, but I know scores of professionals who would do a much better job. Let me recommend some people to you, both here and in St. Louis. They’re very trustworthy, and will take it slow and work at your own pace.”

He had to trust Haven. He did trust Haven. He needed her. “Yeah. Recommend some people to me.”

“Thanks.”

“No. Thank you. For coming back here. I didn’t deserve it after the way I treated you. I’m sorry, Haven. I acted like an asshole and I’m asking you to forgive me for that.”

She came over and sat on his lap, and he’d never felt such warmth, such love. Such forgiveness and acceptance. “There’s nothing to forgive, Trevor. Now I understand what you were going through. I backed you into a corner and for that, I’m sorry.”

“You made me face something I should have faced a long time ago. I’m grateful. And I should never have asked you to leave. You don’t ask someone you love to walk out of your life.”

Haven lifted her head and stared into Trevor’s eyes, not sure she’d heard what he said correctly.

“What did you say?”

His lips curved. “I said I love you. Want me to say it again?”

“Yes, please.”

“I love you, Haven.”

She smiled, and her heart swelled with so much emotion she felt like she might burst. “I love you, too, Trevor.”

He swept his hand up and down her back. “I like the sound of that. Now you say it again.”

“I love you, Trevor.”

“We should probably seal this with some kind of kiss.”

She nodded. “Followed by some equally hot lovemaking, I hope.”

“Definitely.”

Trevor stood and pulled her against him, cupping the back of her neck and dragging her lips to his for a kiss that definitely left his intentions clear. From the very first time their lips met, she’d known he was it for her. Maybe she hadn’t realized it at first, because that initial spark of chemistry had distracted her, but now she realized it was more than simply biology that had drawn her to Trevor.

It was love—two people who were supposed to be together. They just . . . fit.

Especially when they kissed, when his mouth explored hers and exploded her brain cells left and right, making her sag against him until all she wanted was to tear every inch of clothing off to feel his skin against hers. There was something about this man that demanded she be close to him, touching him. She’d never been a big believer in that whole destiny thing, but he was it for her.

So when he broke the kiss and took her hand to lead her upstairs to his room, she followed along, taking in the sight of his very fine ass moving up the stairs.

And when they got there, it was her who pushed him onto the bed. She climbed on top of him and continued where they left off. She couldn’t get enough of his mouth, the sexy fullness of his bottom lip, the slight scratchiness of his jaw when it was peppered with a day’s growth of stubble. She straightened only long enough to pull off her top and undo her bra, then bent down to slide one of her nipples in between his waiting lips. And when he sucked, she was in heaven, a delight of sensation to feel him pull and tug on the bud until she wanted more.

Apparently, so did Trevor, because he rolled her off him and drew her pants and underwear off, then spread her legs and buried his face in her sex, his tongue and mouth doing decadent, delicious things to her pussy. She grabbed hold of the cover and held on while he took her right to the edge.

And over. She cried out with her orgasm, but barely had time to draw in a ragged breath before Trevor got undressed and put a condom on.

She was still pulsing, still reeling from her climax when he slid inside her, his face looming over hers.

“We’re supposed to be together. I missed you when you were gone. I’m sorry I sent you away.”

He said this as he pulled out, then eased back inside her.

She wrapped her legs around him. “You’re forgiven.” She swept her fingers over his brow, his temple, then his lips. “I love you.”