My nails embed as he thrusts until he hits his release and then settles slowly on top of me. “Ow,” he says, and then rolls carefully to the side.

Slowly catching my breath, I swallow to coat my dry throat, and then ask, “Are you okay?”

He chuckles. “That might be the first time I’ve ever been asked that after sex.” Turning to look at me, a smile, though pained as he touches his side, he adds, “For the record, guys are always great after sex. Doesn’t matter how busted up they are. It will still be the best fucking high they’ll ever achieve if they’re with the woman they love.”

Despite his pain, he leans over and kisses my shoulder. “Like I am.”

“Good to know.” I grin and roll to my side to look at him. His hand is light to his side, but his jaw is starting to swell. I reach over and barely touch his face. “It’s swelling.”

He breathes a sigh, more annoyed than upset as he gets up. “That fucking uppercut he landed when I looked away. I’ll put an ice pack on it.”

“I’m sorry.” I push up, resting my weight on a hand to the mattress.

Stopping on the edge of the bed, he looks back at me over his slumped shoulder. “Why are you sorry?” Genuine confusion is laced through his brows.

“Because you wouldn’t be hurt if it weren’t for me.”

He turns away from me, scrubbing his face in his hands and then resting his arms forward on his legs. “You didn’t cause that fight, Lark. He said what he said, but his grudge goes way back. We’ve crossed paths before. He didn’t lie about Lucas and me combing his parties for girls. Hell,” he says, looking back at me again. This time with a smirk. “We even stole his booze.” He stands as slow as he can, his hand protectively covering his side. When he turns around, the grin is gone, and I already miss it. I look away as he says what he needs to get off his chest. “I’m damn sure not pleading a case. Facts are facts, but I’m telling you, no one in my past matters.”

As much as I want Harbor not to focus on Dane and what he said, partly because it hurts to know I caused it, but also because I know Harbor would have blown it all off if it didn’t affect him. “You don’t have to justify your past to me.” Rolling my head to the side, I ask, “Do you think I would believe him over you?”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to leave it to chance.”

I slide out of bed and into his arms. “If I were ever forced to choose a side, I’m always choosing you, Harbor. Always. But you know that. So what’s the real reason you’re telling me?”

His head lowers, his gaze taken with it. Pressing his temple against mine, he stays and inhales. The rough scruff on his face scratches against my soft cheek, and then I’m granted the warmth of his eyes again. “Because your so-called friend wants you to believe you’re nothing but another Friday night fuck to me. You’re not.” Cupping my face, he kisses me and leans his forehead against mine. “You’re the whole fucking universe. You’re where time begins and ends and every moment in between.”