I GLANCED DOWN AT THE ring on my finger. I was a married woman now. I never thought any man would love or accept Gabriel and me. But Pat loved me; I knew he did, not just from his words, but from his actions.

We’d celebrated all day on the lake, playing in the sand on the beach. Gabriel loved Pat. And though I hadn’t been able to choose Gabriel’s birth father, I had just given Gabriel the best gift of all. I’d chosen him the best father for life. Pat accepted Gabriel as his own. And it made me love him even more.

Patrick began Gabriel’s bedtime routine as I snuck up to the bedroom. I felt more nervous than ever. Despite my proclamations that I was healed, would I shut down during sex? Push him away, cry from pain instead of pleasure?

I drew myself a hot bath and slipped in. Strawberry scented bubbles filled the tub, and I relaxed into the suds. Tonight was a new beginning for me. I would wash my past away.

I heard the bedroom door creak open. I didn’t want to wait another minute. I let out the water, exited the tub, and slathered on some lotion. A white silk camisole and matching panties beckoned me. I glanced at my body in the mirror. All the years I’d been taken, I’d hated myself. But now, I really saw myself as beautiful. I was a wife, I was a mother. I wasn’t dirty, I wasn’t a whore. And I couldn’t wait to make love to my husband.

I exited the bathroom. Patrick sat on the edge of the bed, and he just stared at me. “God, you’re perfect. I love you, Mrs. Walsh. You’re all mine now.”

I focused on him. His beauty, his strength. His muscles sculpted from carrying boats over his head, pushing logs on the beach. Rugged and real, he was mine. I undressed for my husband, slowly, his blue eyes following my every move.

I placed my arms around his neck, his masculine scent driving me wild. His lips traveled from my face, to my ears, to my neck. We kissed, slowly, emotionally.

I wanted him to feel how much I loved him. I tugged at his belt, and pulled off his shorts.

He stopped and reached for a condom. But condoms seemed dirty to me, reminded me of being back at the brothel. I pushed it out of his hand.

“Babe, I want to feel every inch of you inside me. Please, make love to me.”

He seemed almost hesitant as I took off his boxers. I leaned in to take him into my mouth, but he pushed me away.

A look of shame crossed his face. “No.” He placed his hand on the swell of my back, kissed my lips. “Come here.”

I climbed on top of him, grinding my hips into his. His hands cupped my ass, steering my movements, pushing me toward pleasure.

He nuzzled his head into my chest, licking, sucking, rubbing my nipples. No more teasing. I couldn’t wait any longer; I wanted to feel him inside of me.

“Now, I want you now. Please, don’t make me wait any longer.”

I needed him. All of him. Completely.

We were face-to-face, bodies intertwined. He slowly guided me onto him, staring into my eyes. I gasped as I felt his hard cock penetrate me. But my fear went away. There were no flashbacks. We were finally becoming one. After all the nights of longing, apart, we’d made our way back to each other. This man, my husband, loved me. He kissed my face, went slow, and let me control the motion, the need.

He kissed my nipples. Then stopped, cupped my chin and looked me in the eyes. “I love you, baby.”

My confidence rose. This wasn’t some cheap sexual encounter. He was now the father of my child.

He sucked on my nipples as I rode him, I couldn’t get enough. Slow and shallow at first, then fast and deep. Every push and pull felt incredible. His big arms, his sexy chest, he was so goddam sexy. I was so fucking wet, there was a deep throbbing in my belly, in my soul. Faster, deeper, every thrust, every moan, brought me closer to Pat. “Pat, oh-my-God. Pat.”

“Come for me, baby.”

His words took me over the edge. I was almost there, but I held back, wanting to stay at this pleasure point for as long as I could. My hips bucked, I thrashed on him, rocking on his hips, little circles and twists, my core on fire.

“Pat, you’re so fucking incredible. OhmyGod. Pat.” I came, again and again, his body steady, waiting out my pleasure. Euphoria overtook my body, and he finally exploded inside me. Filling me with such joy. This was the most amazing high ever, even better than heroin.

“I love you, Annie. Finding you was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

I collapsed onto the bed. For once, I didn’t need to explain my feelings, my emotions. I cuddled up into my husband’s strong embrace, and he rocked me to sleep.