After Eli and I joined the others downstairs, we sat around the table talking and laughing through several pots of coffee and plates of leftovers, as well as bedtime for the small kids. Since I hadn’t had much of an appetite lately, I happily gorged myself on the delicious food and desserts.

The antique grandfather clock in the hallway chimed ten times when we finally made it from the dining room into the family room. I loved everything about the Colonial farmhouse Jake and Abby lived in. Well, considering the upgrades he’d made, it was more of a Colonial mansion than a farmhouse. I couldn’t help wishing for something similar for Eli and me.

I snuggled next to Eli on one of the couches in front of a roaring fire. After going without sleep for a while, along with a full belly, it didn’t take too long to before I was lulled into a deep, contented slumber.

The next thing I knew Eli was lying me down on the guest bed. Staring at him through my hooded eyes, I asked. “What are you doing?”

“Putting you to bed. My mother insisted when you started sawing logs and drooling.”

Suddenly, I was wide awake. Slapping a hand over my eyes, I moaned in mortification. “Oh, God, I snored and drooled in front of your parents?”

Eli chuckled. “They didn’t give a shit about that, Sonny. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the first time they saw you sleeping.”

My horror was replaced at the sweet memory of falling asleep at Eli’s parents’ house when we were kids. Of course, it was still embarrassing that I had been unconscious in front of everyone else.

“Do you still want me to sneak back up here?”

“Don’t you want to?”

Eli rolled his eyes. “I can’t believe you even have to ask that question. Of course I do.”

“Then why did you bother checking with me?”

“I was just afraid you might be too tired.”

I brought my hand up to cup his cheek. “How admirable of you.”

He grinned. “I try.”

“Where are you sleeping?”

“In a twin bed in one of the downstairs bedrooms.”

“Don’t tell me you and Gabe are sharing a room?”

“Sadly, yes. Micah and his brood have the guest house. Rae is in the room next to yours, and Linc is across the hall from her. Mom and Dad have the nice suite down the hall from Gabe and me.”

Glancing around the room, I said, “I was kind of hoping as old as this house was you were going to use some secret passage to get into my room.”

Eli snickered. “Sadly, secret passages aren’t part of my plan.”

“You have a plan?”

He nodded. “I’ll sneak upstairs and hang out in the kitchen for a little bit. That way if anyone sees me, I can pretend to be raiding the fridge.”

“Good idea.”

“Then when the coast is clear, I’ll come up here.”

“I’ll make sure to leave the door unlocked.”

“You better. Especially if you fall back asleep.”

“I don’t think that will happen. I’m pretty awake.”

Famous last words considering five seconds after Eli left, I was dead to the world. I don’t know how long I was out. The downstairs clock chiming midnight woke me up. Glancing around the room, I was disappointed to find it empty.

Rising out of the bed, I went to the bathroom and cleaned up my makeup. Standing in front of the mirror, I debated whether I should go ahead and get undressed. But then I reasoned Eli might want to strip me himself, so I left my clothes on.

When I came out of the bathroom, I jumped at the sight of Eli standing by the fireplace stoking the dying fire. My hand flew to clutch my chest. “You scared me,” I hissed in a loud whisper.

“I’m sorry. I thought you heard me come in.”

“No. I didn’t.” I crossed the room to stand in front of him. “I see your evil plan worked, and you made it back.”

He laughed. “Like a charm. Thankfully, Mom and Dad were wiped out with traveling and cooking. They were out pretty quick.”

Glancing past him, I saw where he’d lit the candles on the mantle. With the flickering candle and firelight, I couldn’t imagine a more romantic scenario. As we stood there, staring at each other, a thought popped into my mind, which caused a giggle to bubble from my lips.

Eli cocked his head at me. “What?”

“I just realized after all of our time together, I’ve never seen you fully naked.”

“You’ve seen the most important parts,” he teased.

Tilting my head in thought, I said, “Now that I think about it, I really didn’t see much of your dick that night in Nashville.”

“Well then, we need to remedy that ASAP.”

Eli made quick work of removing his shirt. After our time together on tour, as well as on the island, I had every inch of his chest memorized from the colorful tattoos to the six-pack abs. Once he tossed his shirt to the floor, his fingers came to the button on his pants. After unbuttoning and unzipping them, he pushed them down over his hips and legs. He certainly had the art of the striptease down because he’d left his briefs in place. Of course, I could see the outline of his erection straining beneath the fabric.

But I didn’t have to wait long to see all of him. Bending at the waist, he stripped the briefs off his waist and down his legs. After he stepped out of them, he swept his hands to his hips and stood in front of me in all his glorious manhood.

“Very nice,” I murmured.

His dark brows creased. “Nice? That’s the adjective you chose to describe the utter magnificence that is my dick?”

I bit down on my lip to keep from laughing. “I’m sorry if I offended you. To me, nice is a really good description of it.”

“I think your descriptive skills could use some work. What if I described your pussy as just ‘nice’?”

“I wouldn’t mind.”

“Oh really? What if I described it as an exquisitely moist and tasty Apple pie that I wanted to swirl my tongue around and plunge my magnificent dick into?”

My mouth suddenly ran dry at his descriptions. After I swallowed hard, I said, “I, uh, like that description much better.”

“I rest my case.”

“Fine. Your dick is not just nice. It’s truly an impressive specimen that is not only easy on the eyes, but one you know how to wield for the utmost pleasure.” I raised my brows at him. “Was that better?”

Eli grinned. “Hell yeah.”

With a laugh, I replied, “I cannot believe you’re standing naked before me, and we’re having a Mad Libs type argument over what your dick looks like.”

“It doesn’t surprise me at all. This is us just being real. I’ve never been more comfortable being myself around any other woman.”

“Neither have I with any other man.” And that was the truth. I wasn’t just stroking his ego. The level of intimacy I had with Eli transcended anything I had ever experienced.

Cocking his head, Eli said, “I believe it’s your turn now.”

Bringing my hands behind my back, I unzipped my dress. I bent over and grabbed the hem before pulling it over my head. Thankfully, I’d had the presence of mind to slip into a nice bra and panty set after I’d frantically packed. The material was plum colored that incidentally matched my dress.

I slipped down both straps of my bra before I reached behind me to undo the clasp. Once I did, I didn’t hesitate before I let the bra fall from my body. With a smile, Eli said, “Those are somewhat familiar to me.”

“I would think so and not just from Nashville.”

“You’re never going to let me live it down that I walked in on you in the shower, are you?”

“Probably not,” I laughed.

After hooking my fingers in the lacy band of my thong, I shimmied it down my thighs and legs. Eli closed the gap between us. “The full picture of your nakedness is just as beautiful as in my dreams.”

“And just like that, you take my breath away by saying something so serious and kind.”

When I reached between us to take his cock in my hands, Eli’s ribs expanded as he sucked in a breath. “Last time, you made it all about me. I want to do the same for you today,” I whispered as I stroked his length.

“I’d argue we compromise and both take a little extra time on each other.”

“I can live with that.” I slid down his body until I was on my knees before him. Dipping my head, I flicked my tongue against Eli’s shaft, causing him to moan. I then alternated between licking him like a popsicle and pumping him in my hand. At his satisfied grunts, I knew I was on the right track. After suctioning the head of his cock, I took him all the way inside my mouth. I’d never been one to overly enjoy blowjobs, but I was starting to really enjoy it with Eli. Maybe it was because he was so vocal. With every groan, curse, and rush of breath, he gave me a play by play of how much he was enjoying it.

When I glanced up at him, Eli stared down at me, his eyes glittering with lust. “Fuck, Sonny,” he muttered, his hips beginning to work his cock in and out of my mouth. I welcomed him deeper and deeper, wanting to give him as much pleasure as he had me. Cupping his balls, I gave them a squeeze. I was rewarded with both a groan and Eli gently nudging his hand against my head. “You gotta stop, Sonny, or I’m going to come right now.”

Sliding him out of my mouth, I said, “I don’t mind.”

He shook his head. “Tonight is about making love, so I want to come inside you.”

“If you insist,” I replied.

Smiling, Eli knelt down beside me. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he eased me down until my back touched the rug. He grabbed my thighs and pushed them wide apart. “There’s my Apple pie,” he teased.

A laugh bubbled from deep within me. Sitting up on his knees, Eli bent over to where his head and shoulders were between my legs. His arms snaked around my legs to where his palms rested flat against my stomach. A shiver went through me when he licked his lips. Dipping his head, he planted slow kisses along my ribcage and over my stomach.

The next thing I knew his lips were on the top of my pussy where the cleft began, alternating between kissing and nipping the flesh. When his tongue swirled around my swollen clit, I could no longer be quiet. “Oh Eli!” I cried.

Unwrapping one of his arms, he brought his hand to my pussy. Spreading me apart with his fingers, his tongue and lips worked their way through my sensitive crevices. As he buried his face even deeper in my pussy, his nose and chin gave extra friction as he licked long streaks up my center. Pinching my eyes shut from the intense pleasure, I began to rock my hips against his face.

After curling two fingers deep inside me, Eli’s tongue flicked over and over on my clit. He sucked it inside his mouth, as his fingers pumped inside me. “Yes, Eli, Oh God, yes!” I cried as my orgasm charged through my lower half.

When I came back to myself, Eli had gone to retrieve a condom from his wallet. In the flickering firelight, I watched him slide it onto his dick. Kneeling back down, he joined me on the rug. I opened my legs invitingly for him, and he slipped between them. I loved the feel of this position with him. My breasts pressed against his hard chest while the rest of us fit perfectly together.

After taking his cock in his hands, Eli slid it up and down my slit, pressing it against my clit. Raising my hips, I rubbed against him, desperate for even more friction. As I slid my arms around his neck, I said, “Please, Eli.”

With pure love and adoration radiating in his eyes, Eli slid inside me. He remained buried to the hilt before pulling out and thrusting fully back inside me. I loved the delicious burn deep inside as he stretched me. His hips then set up a lazy pace while he rained kisses on the tops of my eyelids and nose. I’d asked him to make love to me, and I could feel his love with each pump of his hips and every tender kiss he gave me.

After he flipped us over, I slipped my hands into his. Our fingers intertwined as I rode him in a slow steady pace. As much as I enjoyed holding his hand, I missed the feel of his fingers on the rest of my body. “Touch me,” I instructed.

He cupped my face in his hands, one of his thumbs running over my bottom lip. He then slid them down the column of my throat. They trailed over my sternum before sliding over my breasts. When he circled my hard, aching nipples, I bit down on my lip to keep from crying out in frustration.

Illustrating my need, I sped up my pace, swiveling my hips harder and faster. As if on cue, Eli’s fingers pinched at my nipples, causing me to moan. When he twisted and teased them, I threw my head back. Now all I wanted was the warmth of his mouth on them.

As if he could read my mind, Eli rose up into a sitting position. After sliding his arms around me, one of his hands intertwined through my hair, tugging the strands. I arched my back while Eli’s mouth closed over my nipple. Wetness spread between my thighs at the feel of his warm mouth tugging on my hardened peak. He took his time with each nipple, licking, sucking, and grazing it with his teeth. All the while my fingers mimicked on the strands of his hair what his mouth was doing to my breasts.

When Eli’s hand dipped between us to stroke my clit, I shrieked and clawed at his hair. He slowly circled the swollen nub with his thumb, which drove me absolutely wild. As my walls started to tense, Eli let my nipple fall free from his mouth. He brought his head up to meet my gaze. “I want to watch you come apart.”

“Okay,” I panted. Since I desperately wanted the same, I tightened my walls around his dick, causing him to groan. “Let’s come apart together, okay?”

With one hand still stroking me, Eli brought the other up to cup my cheek. When he pinched my clit, I went over the edge. The strength of my orgasm set him off. Although my eyes naturally wanted to close, I kept them open and locked on Eli’s. As we rode out our orgasms, we focused on each other. It was the most erotic and romantic thing I’d ever experienced during sex.

It was also the best sexual experience I’d ever had. Was it the fact Eli and I knew each other so intimately? Because we were soul mates for twenty years? I wasn’t sure what it was, but I couldn’t feel guilty. We feel so right together as if this is where I’ve always belonged. The moment felt like a gift.

Eli was a gift, and I would treasure him always. But even more so, I felt so treasured by him.

When the moment was over, Eli nudged me over to lie on my back. After he slipped off the condom, he tossed it into the fireplace, which caused me to gasp in horror. “What?” he asked.

“I’m hoping that burns all the way down. I don’t want any evidence of what happened between us.”

Eli snorted. “You think Abby’s cleaning lady will rat us out to our parents, and we won’t get to go out on Friday night?” he teased.

“Smartass. I know we’re not in high school worrying about being grounded.”

“I’m pretty sure my swimmers and the rubber are already ash, babe.”

I shook my head with a laugh. “You have such a way with words.”

“I try.” He slid the quilt off the rocking chair and then curled in beside me, throwing the quilt over us.

Rolling over, I hitched one of my thighs over his while putting one of my arms around his waist. “I love you,” I murmured.

“I love you, too, babe,” Eli replied, a lazy, satiated smile curving on his lips.

As I lay my head against Eli’s chest, I listened to the strong beat of his heart. Propping up on one elbow, I stared intently at him. “There is one more thing I wanted to talk to you about.”

“What’s that?”

“Jack.”

Eli’s face tensed a little. “Okay.”

“Back in Nashville, you told me you could never compete with him, and I would always choose him.”

“That was a douche thing to say.”

I shook my head. “No, it wasn’t. You were being honest, and I always want you to be honest with me.”

“While that might be true, I’m not sure I like what it says about me as a person. I mean, no one who knew him ever had a bad thing to say about Jack. I’m not sure the same could be said about me.”

“In spite of what you might think, Jack wasn’t perfect. I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but I also don’t want you to think you’re up against some larger than life figure.” I swallowed hard. I was about to unburden myself of secrets I’d buried deep within me. It had taken months of therapy for them to remotely resurface. “Jack was always so focused on his career. Even after the two of us got together, I felt like I came second.”

Eli stared at me in surprise. “Really? I always thought he worshipped you.”

“He did. To an extent.” What I said next was so painful that my voice rose barely above a whisper as I said it. “Sometimes I wondered if he really loved me, or he loved the idea of me—the idea of us.”

“Oh, Sonny,” Eli murmured.

“I didn’t think that at first. I was too much in love to question his motives. But as the years went by, the idea appeared in my mind.”

“But why?”

“Jack shut me down about having children for years because it would have hurt our careers. But if he’d really loved me, he should have been willing to compromise, right?” My chin trembled, and I fought hard not to cry.

Eli brushed my hair behind my ear. “I can’t speak for him, Sonny. From the many years I observed the relationships and marriages around me, I’ve seen how important communication is. Right now if you told me you wanted to wait a couple of years for kids, I wouldn’t like it, but we’d find a compromise.”

Closing my eyes, I leaned in to the warmth of his hand. “That’s one of the many things I love about you. You always put others ahead of yourself.” My eyes popped open, and I shook my head sadly. “But Jack wasn’t like that. At least not in his relationship with me.”

“Hasn’t it been said you don’t truly know a person until you live with them? Only then do you see them for who they really are—the good and the bad.”

“Yes, that’s true. You know, the night before he got killed, Jack finally relented for us to try for a child. That was after two years of me begging and pleading for us to start a family.”

“What horrible timing,” Eli said softly.

“Yes, it was.” I brought my hand to cup his cheek. “The point of me telling you that story wasn’t to discredit Jack, but to show you, he had his faults just like anyone else. For a long time after he died, I could only focus on the wonderful parts of him, which kept me mired down in grief. But it’s easier to live with the truth.”

“And you’ve forgiven him?”

I nodded. “Of course. True healing only comes with repentance and acceptance. In turn, I hope he would forgive me for resenting him holding out on the baby issue.”

“I’m sure he would.”

Staring intently into his eyes, I said, “You’re only marrying me, Eli. Don’t worry about the ghosts of the past—they’ve been put to rest.”

Eli shook his head. “I don’t want you to think you can’t love Jack anymore just because you love me. You don’t stop loving someone just because they died.”

“I know.”

“And I want to believe I have room enough in my heart for the both of you.”

“You do. I know you do.” I moved my hand from Eli’s cheek to his chest. “You have the most giving heart of anyone I’ve ever met. But I also want you to never worry about the depth of my feelings for you. I share a level of intimacy with you that I never did with Jack.”

“The same can be said for me. I’ve never even remotely experienced with any other woman what I have with you.” A smile curved his lips. “It’s so fucking intense it takes my breath away.”

“I know just what you mean.” I bent my head to kiss him. Once again, I had to give thanks that this day had turned out the way that it had. I owed so much to Rachel for giving me the strength to see the answer staring me in the face and embrace my fears. “Stay with me tonight.”

“Not even my parents’ wrath could drive me away.”

I smiled. “I’m glad to hear it.”

After I lay my head back down on Eli’s chest, I drifted off to sleep to the rhythmic beating of his heart—the very one that belonged completely to me. And it felt like home.