His tone had all my nerve endings waking up, as if he were calling to each and every one. My hand slipped under the hem of his t-shirt, exploring the ridges of muscle. I wanted to commit each dip and curve to memory, how it felt to be pressed against him.

Brody’s hand curled around my neck, tilting my head back to give him better access to my mouth. His tongue tangled with mine, deep and searching and just a little bit desperate. And when he pulled back, he was breathless. “Need you, Shay.”

“You have me.” And he did. Mind, body, and soul. I’d never thought I would be able to give myself fully to someone. To show them all of me—the scars and dark corners. But Brody had come along, and from the moment I’d laid eyes on him, the pull had begun. This invisible tether that seemed to unravel all the walls and barriers I’d erected over the years.

It was a slow and steady tug, one that I hadn’t recognized right away. And when I had noticed it and had one of my freak-outs, that unwavering pull just continued. It kept right on going until Brody had it all, every last piece of me.

My thumb swept across his lips. I couldn’t imagine a greater gift. To have someone see all the things that you were terrified to show the world and still love you. And not just in spite of them, but because they were a part of you. “Love you,” I whispered.

With a growl, I was suddenly flipped over, Brody hovering over me. “You know what it does to me when you say that.”

A giggle escaped me. “It’s a hell of a reaction.”

Brody’s mouth was on mine again, desperate and feral. He only broke away as we tugged clothes free, both of us needing to be skin to skin. I’d lost any inhibition with regards to Brody seeing my scars. They were simply a part of the canvas of my skin.

One hand cupped my breast as Brody pushed inside me. A small mewl slipped from my lips, and my eyes fluttered closed. Nothing could compare to this feeling. So full. Not complete. But as if I were me yet…more.

My eyes opened to find Brody staring down at me, his gaze full of reverence. “You’re so damn beautiful. The way your eyes flutter and your cheeks turn pink when I’m inside you. The way your back arches to bring you closer to me.” He began to thrust deeper. “Never want to forget it.”