I recline and grab his face. “I’m feeling so much right now. I can’t explain it.” I want him to know, but I don’t think I can put it into words. Maybe I’m not ready to either. It’s so overwhelming, knowing in my heart that this is what is meant to be.

“Just feel us,” Zach commands before his mouth is on mine.

His fingers descend the length of my back, and I hold on to his shoulders. He presses me against the pillow, my eyes close, and I do exactly as he said—feel.

His lips travel back down my body, lavishing my breasts and sucking on my nipples. Fire burns through my bloodstream. I have no thoughts that aren’t of him and me right now. I can’t remember the last time I felt so adored. Each of his touches is purposeful, branding me to him.

“If you need me to stop . . .” he reminds me.

“Don’t stop.”

Zach hooks his fingers in my underwear and slides them off. I lift a little to make it easier. I’m now completely bare to him, in every way. I let him see in my heart and my body. The last time Zach saw me like this I was eighteen. I had no stretch marks, cellulite, scars, or unwanted pounds. My boobs were perky, not showing the aftereffects of twins. Fear takes hold. What if he doesn’t like me? I close my eyes with my head turned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly.

Suddenly, I feel his weight over me again. “Presley.” He brushes my hair back. “Look at me, baby.”

My eyes flutter open.

“Time has made you more magnificent than I remember. Whatever imperfections you see . . . I only see beauty.”

A tear falls from my eyes. “Why do you always know the right things to say?”

He shrugs with a grin. “Trust me—I don’t. I’m telling you what I feel. Showing you what I see. If that’s the right thing, then it solidifies what I already know.”

My heart beats against my chest and I pray he doesn’t say it. I know he loves me. I see it when he looks at me, and if he’s looking closely too, he sees it. But I can’t say it right now. We may have established there’s no right timeframe for us, and it’s crazy to think we wouldn’t fall back in love, considering I don’t know that I ever really stopped, but I won’t say it to him tonight.

I’ll show it.

To ensure he doesn’t utter the words, I lean in and press my lips to his. His tongue moves with mine as we pour ourselves into the moment. I unbuckle his belt, undo his pants, and slide them down. Zach kicks them off and flips me so I’m on top.

His dick presses against my core and I moan. “I need you.”

He pushes me so I can stare at him. I move, giving myself the friction I so desperately crave. My hair falls around me and he leans up taking control. He kisses me and drags his fingers down my back. I hold on to him, living each second in Zach’s embrace.

Zach turns me so I’m on my back again. He slithers the length of my body, leaving a trail of kisses. This is what he was fantastic at even as teenagers. His tongue and mouth had a way of working in perfect harmony, ensuring I would lose it. “Zach,” I whisper into the night.

“I need to taste you, Presley.”

“I might combust.”

The sound of his amusement vibrates against my skin, but he doesn’t say a word. Instead, his tongue presses against my clit.

My fingers grip his hair as he does it again. My hips move, but he holds me still, continuing to lick and suck. Each swipe causes my head to thrash. I mumble incoherently as he takes me to new heights. I’m lost, floating, weightless, and I don’t care if I ever come down. “Zach!” I scream out as I fall back to earth. He continues until I grow still.

He crawls back up. “I could drown in you.”

My eyes open and I grin. “I could let you.”

Zach pulls his boxers down and I see him fully. Every inch of him is mine again. He was the first man I ever let inside of me, and who knows if he’ll be the last.

“If you want to stop . . .” He gives me the out again.

I bring my hand to his face. “I want you to make love to me.”

“I’m damn glad you said that.” His smile warm and assuring.

He reaches over for the condom. While he rolls it on, my stomach tightens for so many reasons. What if it’s not as good as I remember? What if he doesn’t think I’m good?

“Zach.” Fear bleeds through my voice.

“What’s wrong?” His eyes are wide as he probably senses my distress.

Now I feel stupid. “Nothing. I’m just being a silly girl.”

“Presley.” He adjusts his weight slightly. “I can wait.”

I want to laugh. There’s no way in hell that we’re waiting. I don’t want to wait either. I don’t want this to suck. “I can’t. I’m ready.”

He shifts forward, and I feel him against my entrance. “Keep your eyes on me,” he requests.

I stare into his deep blue eyes and see so much love it actually makes my chest ache. Everything I’ve lost in the last eight months has brought me here. To a man who loves me. Who has taken an interest in my kids. Meets me every night so he can hold me when I can’t sleep. He’s the boy who held my hand when my Nana died and I was too scared to go in the house. The teenager who punched Armando Delgado in the nose when he tried to kiss me, but then got him ice. He’s the man I never knew, but has always lived in my heart.

When he enters me, everything goes still. There are no crickets, no fireflies blinking, there’s nothing in this entire world but us. Our eyes stay on each other as he pushes deeper. Tears form and one spills over. It’s too much. Too many emotions, thoughts, feelings, and I can’t contain them.

Zach leans down and kisses my tear away. “God, Pres.”

“You feel so good.” I choke the words out.

“Don’t cry, baby.”

I need to explain, but there’s no way to put him at ease. “It’s happy tears. I’m so happy right now.”

They continue to run down my face as we make love. Zach wipes each one away, and whispers how perfect I am. I flip him on his back and ride him, needing to feel the power of control, and I know how much he used to like it.

“I’m close,” he says as I rock back and forth.

I ride him harder, enjoying the way his face tightens and his grip is stronger. I rake my nails down his chest and he clamps down on my wrists. “Let go, Zach.” I move as fast as I can.