Chapter 20
Elena
"Do you want a hug?" Carter asked softly.
Elena nodded.
Slowly, she rose from the couch and stepped toward him. Carter moved carefully, as though afraid he might frighten her if he came too close too quickly. When his arms settled around her waist, they were gentle and steady, offering comfort rather than demanding anything from her.
Her arms lifted automatically around his neck, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them. Pressed against his chest, she felt surrounded by warmth, strength, and safety.
For the first time that evening, she didn't feel like she was holding herself together by sheer force of will.
Despite everything Kyle had done, she had never looked back on their marriage with disgust. There had been disappointments and arguments, but there had also been moments she had once considered good memories.
Now those memories felt stained beyond repair.
She had always known Kyle possessed a selfish and cruel streak, but she had never imagined he was capable of crossing a line like this.
Carter's hand moved gently through her hair before trailing down her back in slow, soothing strokes. Without thinking, she tightened her hold on him. Every touch seemed to convince her nervous system that the danger had finally passed.
They remained like that for several long moments. Gradually, the frantic pounding of her heart began to slow. The tightness in her chest loosened, and her tears started to subside. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt this comforted.
In that moment, she felt completely protected. For weeks she had been angry with him, frustrated and confused by the secrets he continued to keep.
Yet standing in his arms now, she realized a part of her still trusted him and it felt okay to. The familiar scent of his cologne wrapped around her like a blanket, making her want to stay exactly where she was forever.
Reluctantly, Elena loosened her hold and leaned back enough to look at him. Carter relaxed his embrace but didn't let her go entirely. His hands remained at her waist while hers rested against his chest.
Their eyes met.
The concern she saw in his expression nearly undid her all over again. He was looking at her the same way he always had, as though she mattered more than anything else around him. Everything that had happened that evening faded into the background. There was only Carter.
Swept up in a sudden rush of longing, her only thought was how badly she wanted to be close to him. Leaning into his space, she found herself up on her tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss against his lips.
Carter responded immediately. His hand tightened slightly at her waist while he kissed her back with equal tenderness.
A shiver of desire swept through her as she melted into his gentle kiss.
It was a perfect fit, their lips moving together like a dance they both knew by heart.
He felt so good. His stubble brushed against her chin, rough in the most perfect way.
For the first time in a long while, everything felt right again.
Her hands traveled down to his toned abs beneath his shirt and unbuttoned the top button, hinting that she wanted more than just a kiss.
He broke the kiss, breathing hard, and put a little distance between them.
Elena's pulse had quickened again, though for entirely different reasons now.
Carter searched her face carefully, as though trying to understand what she was feeling. His expression carried both hope and hesitation.
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.
Elena tried to steady her breathing. Her voice barely above a whisper as she nodded.
"Yes."
Turning, she walked toward the bedroom, hearing his steady footsteps follow a beat behind.
Elena tossed her coat onto a chair and sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at him. Carter remained standing for a moment, emotion flickering across his face.
“I need to know you're sure," he said quietly.
"Because if there's even a chance you'll regret this tomorrow, we stop right here."
She shook her head without hesitation.
"I want you, Carter." There was no uncertainty in her voice. She needed him. "Please," she whispered.
The tension in his shoulders finally broke, replaced by a soft, breathtaking smile.
Kneeling before her, he unhurriedly slipped off her heels one at a time. The moment her feet touched the cool floor, free from the ache of the shoes, a heavy wave of exhaustion she hadn’t even realized she was holding dissolved.
Then he lifted one foot, his lips pressing a soft, lingering kiss against her ankle.
The sheer unexpectedness of it caught the breath in her throat. When he looked up, that familiar, playful spark was back in his eyes, chasing away the heavy ghosts of the evening.
Elena found herself smiling back before she could stop it, the lingering distance between them vanishing entirely as he stood.
His palm settled against her cheek, his thumb tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, spreading a delicious warmth that coaxed her backward onto the mattress. She sank into the sheets, her eyes locked on his as if breaking contact would break the spell.
His eyes swept over her, and she caught the admiration on his face. The look made her feel beautiful.
She happily returned the gesture.
The years had been incredibly kind to Carter.
He had always been attractive, but now he seemed carved from confidence and determination. His shoulders looked broader than she remembered. His frame was stronger, more defined. The fitted button down shirt stretched across muscles that certainly hadn't existed when they were younger.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
How was he even more handsome now?
As if sensing where her thoughts had gone, Carter's smile deepened.
"Something funny?" he asked softly.
Elena shook her head, unable to stop smiling.
"No."
But judging by the amused look in his eyes, he knew exactly what she had been thinking.
He unbuttoned his shirt and—
Holy cow.
Carter Evans was hotter than ever. His body was even more toned and muscular than she remembered, every bit of him looking stronger, broader, and masculine.
Her mouth must have been hanging open because he laughed.
The sound sent a fresh wave of embarrassment through her.
Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, still looking entirely too pleased with himself.
His cologne wrapped around her, familiar and distracting all at once. Her hands found him before she could stop herself, sliding over his shoulders and biceps. She couldn't help it.
He felt solid beneath her fingertips, real in a way that still hadn't fully sunk in. Her touch drifted lower, tracing the firm lines of his stomach as she breathed him in.
God, she had missed him.
The amusement in his eyes faded into something softer as he looked at her. His hands were gentle, his movements unhurried, as he helped her out of her clothes. After freeing her from her bra, she lifted slightly, allowing him to ease her panties down her legs.
When he finally stepped back, he took a moment to simply look at her.
She was now completely naked before him.
A blush spread across her skin, warm and impossible to hide.
His hand brushed over her abdomen before pressing a kiss to her navel. His kisses slowly traveled upward, stopping just above her chest. His fingers traced the curve of her breasts making her shiver beneath his touch as her nipples peaked.
He pressed a kiss to her nipple before taking it into his mouth, the gentle attention drew a breathless sound from her lips making her feel deliciously off-balance.
His hands wandered over her body, caressing her slowly as though he wanted to memorize every inch of her. His fingers lingered down her arms and along her hands, as if he simply enjoyed touching her. Every now and then, he would lean down to press a soft kiss against her skin.
He explored the length of her body at an unhurried pace, his touch drifting over her waist, her hips, and down her legs. His hands traveled higher and lower, keeping her in anticipation, yet never quite touching the place she expected them to. The restraint only made every caress feel more intense.
She was certain he was teasing her on purpose, deliberately dragging the moment out. He knew she was desperate for his touch. Her breaths came unevenly from the relentless foreplay. Her core throbbed with need, wet and aching for his touch.
Unable to take the restraint for another second, Elena let out a frustrated moan and bumped his knee with her foot. She was far too shy to actually beg out loud, but she could certainly make her impatience known.
Carter let out a low growl, shifting on top of her in one swift, seamless motion.
"Oh, such an impatient brat," he teased, dark eyes dancing. “What's the hurry, baby?”
She opened her mouth to shoot back a complaint, but his fingers curled beneath her chin, silencing her with a deep, consuming kiss. Every single protest dissolved into nothing the moment their lips met.
Well, she certainly wasn't complaining now.
His hand finally trailed down, building a relentless wave of heat until his fingers slid over her wet folds.
Elena moaned into his mouth, her core swelling with a sweet, intense ache as he slid a finger inside her.
He established a steady, torturous rhythm, his thumb circling her clit until her mind went completely blank, totally overwhelmed by the friction.
The sudden heat made her moan against his lips, but he didn't break the kiss. Instead, as her mouth parted, he slid his tongue inside, deepening it until her mind went completely blank.
When he finally pulled back to catch his breath, his chest was heaving right against hers. They were both breathing hard, but his hand never missed a beat below. He looked down at her with dark, heavy desire before burying his face in her neck, sending a whole new rush of heat through her.
The pleasure built rapidly beneath his fingers until she could barely take it. Searching for an anchor, she gripped his shoulders, digging her fingers in tight just to hold onto him. The second his lips pressed a soft kiss against her bare shoulder, she completely came undone.
Waves of pure ecstasy rippled through her whole body as the orgasm completely took over.
Afterward, she rested against his arm as he pulled her close, his voice a low whisper against her temple.
"You are beautiful, Elena."
She melted into his side, but the lazy comfort of the moment instantly shifted. He was still fully pressed against her, thick and hard through his clothes, and the sudden contact sent a sharp tingle straight between her legs. The soft afterglow vanished, replaced by a deep, heavy ache.
"I want you inside me. Now," she whispered, her fingers tangling in his hair to bring his lips back to hers.
He stripped out of his remaining clothes instantly. The sight of him—erect and completely ready for her—sent a sharp thrill straight to the pit of her stomach. His focus was entirely locked on her now as he rolled on a condom and hovered back over her.
Her breath caught as he leaned down, teasing her first by tracing the smooth length of his dick against her already wet folds. The sudden, friction-filled sensation drew a sharp moan right out of her throat.
And then, he finally slid all the way inside.
Elena let out a long, breathless sigh as the fullness of him stretched her open. He braced his hand on the mattress right beside her face, pinning her with a gaze so fiercely tender it made her chest ache.
As he began to move in slow, gentle strokes, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him as close as physically possible.
Looking up into his eyes while their bodies were completely joined changed everything; the physical intensity melted into a profound wave of affection. She felt entirely safe, deeply cherished, and utterly consumed by the rhythm he was setting.
With every smooth, steady thrust, the pleasure built with a heavy, agonizing speed. The tingling warmth from before spiraled into a tight, demanding knot, and she began to move with him, chasing the feeling.
Just as the tension became too much to bear, he reached down to tangle his fingers with hers, pinning her hands to the mattress as he gave one final, deep thrust. Looking straight into his eyes, she let go completely.
A second orgasm rolled through her, a deep, beautiful release that rippled through her entire body.
A second orgasm tore through her, more intense than the first, waves of blinding pleasure rippling through her body and pulsing hard right where they met. She clung to him as the tremors slowly faded, leaving her completely spent.
The intense heat dissolved into a quiet stillness as he pulled her right back into his arms. They lay side by side, their skin warm and damp, her head resting on his chest to the steady, comforting rhythm of his heartbeat.
His fingers traced slow, absent circles against her shoulder, steady and soothing. A quiet heaviness settled over her, the kind that came with safety and stillness. In the dark, their breathing fell into an easy rhythm.
Elena closed her eyes, letting the comforting warmth between them pull her under as she completely let go and drifted off to sleep in his arms.