SHAPES UNSPOKEN

- 21 -

HAPPY READING 🥰

Annabelle Innis

I woke slowly, the warmth of sleep still clinging to me.

For a moment I didn’t move.

My eyes stayed closed as the memories from last night drifted back into my mind one by one.

Sean’s arms around me.

His voice whispering softly in my ear.

The way he held me as if I were something fragile and precious.

A smile spread across my face before I even opened my eyes.

When I finally turned my head toward the other side of the bed, my smile softened.

The space beside me was empty.

Sean was gone.

The sheets were still warm though, which meant he hadn’t been gone long.

I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling, the memories replaying again and again in my mind.

Last night had changed everything.

My first time had been nerve-racking, overwhelming in ways I hadn’t expected. But Sean had been patient with me. Gentle. Careful.

And the second time…

A small laugh escaped me as I buried my face in the pillow.

That had been completely different.

It was hard to believe how something that once felt so intimidating could suddenly feel so natural. So wonderful.

My body still tingled when I thought about it.

I hugged the pillow closer to my face and screamed into it quietly, overwhelmed by the happiness bubbling inside my chest.

One night with Sean had completely stolen my heart.

Not just because of what we did.

But because of how he made me feel.

Safe.

Wanted.

Loved.

The memory of him standing in front of Cindy last night flashed in my mind.

The way he defended me without hesitation.

The way his voice hardened when he told her the truth.

That moment had meant more to me than he probably realized.

Because my biggest fear in this relationship had always been the same.

That one day he would suddenly decide to go back to his wife.

That I would simply become a mistake he wanted to erase.

That fear had followed me from the beginning.

But last night…

He chose me.

A warmth spread through my chest again.

I lay there for a long moment, simply enjoying the feeling of happiness that filled every part of me.

Then a sudden realization hit me like a bolt of lightning.

My eyes flew open.

I sat upright so quickly the blankets slid down around my waist.

“Oh my God.”

My hand flew to my mouth.

We hadn’t used protection.

The thought made my heart start racing.