Page 109 of The Truths We Find

As for Wilson, he’s enjoying the confines of a military maximum-security facility in Kansas. We weren’t allowed to get the full details, since they said it was confidential government information.

“Where are we going?” I huff behind him, frustrated that he’s making me move from my study hole.

He grins over his shoulder. “Can’t a guy surprise his girlfriend?”

“Am I dressed okay? Do I need to change?” I look down at my outfit—cuffed jeans and a white baby-doll shirt. I’ve been trying to up my style a little more, and Alexa has never been more excited to have a shopping buddy.

My therapist says I was using my clothes to hide from the world and escape into the background. Clothes that blended in, nothing too loud, nothing that said look at me. But lately, I’ve started to feel like I deserve to take up space. To be seen. Gavin has been a big part of that. Let’s face it, he started to crack that shell the day he walked back into my life.

So now I let Alexa drag me to boutiques I used to walk past. I try on things I wouldn’t have touched a year ago. And when I catch my reflection, sometimes I actually like what I see. And maybe that’s silly, changing your wardrobe and calling it growth, but it’s more than that. It’s me saying, I’m not hiding anymore.

It was one of the reasons Mr. White said I didn’t get the promotion. I didn’t speak up for myself. But that was the old Dani. Quiet. Careful. Easy to overlook. I thought I was being professional. Trying not to make waves. Turns out, I was avoiding conflict, and it all stems from my relationship with Sam. He’d twist my words, make me feel like I was overreacting or being too sensitive. Eventually, I stopped trusting my own instincts. Speaking up started to feel risky. So, I inadvertently started keeping quiet. Who knew that followed me into the newsroom.

Not anymore.

If I’m serious about changing the world, then my voice has to show up with me. And this time, it will.

He turns and eyes me with the smile I love so much. “You look perfect, sweetheart. Just like always.”

Gavin’s phone dings in his pocket and he quickly pulls it out, giving the screen a once-over. His nose scrunches up, causing his forehead to wrinkle. But just as quickly as it appeared, it passes, and his smile is back.

“You okay?” My eyes keep scanning his face, trying to figure out what that was about.

He slips the phone away with a shrug. “Yeah, just Emmett being an idiot again.”

I narrow my eyes. “Didn’t look like nothing.”

He tilts his head slightly, giving me a look that he knows does things to me. “Why are you looking at me like that?” I smile.

“You’re so beautiful. You know that?”

“I think you’re just trying to distract me from whatever was on your phone.”

He shifts closer. Just enough to make me catch my breath. “Nope. I just needed to tell you that. In fact, it makes me want to forget our plans all together and do something else entirely.”

I step backwards towards the desk, secretly hoping he will follow. “And what did you have in mind?”

“I can think of a few ideas.”

Before I can respond, his hands slide behind me, lifting me so I can wrap my legs around his waist. I cling to his shoulders, letting out a breathy laugh as he carries me the rest of the way to the desk. The way he carries me so easily will never get old.

Gavin lays me down, keeping every inch of his body pressed against mine. His eyes darken, the stormy blue drawing me in, and his lips crash against mine. My hands weave into his hair as his roam over my body.

“I love you,” he breathes against my lips.

“I love you, too.” Though the ache between my thighs makes it hard to think straight. I need him inside me, now.

I reach for his pants, but he gently places his hands over mine. “Wait. You first.”

He presses a quick kiss to my nose before sitting up, hovering above me. The way his muscles stretch under his shirt makes my fingers itch to tear it off. His hands move to my jeans, undoing the button with care, and in a single motion, I’m bare from the waist down. A low moan escapes his throat at the sight, and I shiver, knowing exactly what’s coming next.

“Look at you, sweetheart. So ready for me.”

Oh, God.

My stomach flips, my pulse spiking just from hearing the gentle possessiveness in his voice. My body reacts before my brain can even process it—heat pooling between my thighs, nipples hardening under the light touch of his hands.

“Please, Gavin,” I whimper.