Broken(77)

Jocelyn stirred, stretching her arms above her head, a feeling of delicious contentment flowing through her body. The warmth of Cade’s body next to hers felt so right. His arms were wrapped around her waist, his lean frame curved against her backside. The even sound of his breathing told her he was still sleeping.

Careful not to wake him, she rolled away and turned to face him. He looked so peaceful and handsome in his slumber. Seeing a stray lock of blond hair resting on his forehead, Jocelyn used it as an excuse to brush it aside. A moan rumbled in his throat, but he remained asleep.

Words couldn’t adequately describe all the emotions running through her in this moment. Being with him again like this was like a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. Jocelyn knew she still had a ways to go before she was completely over the trauma she’d suffered, maybe she never would be, but unlike before now, there was hope. Hope for a better future and happiness with Cade. His love was a balm to her heart—the kind that would ease the passage to her healing.

For so long she’d been so afraid, ashamed, and anxious that she’d forgotten what it was like to be so thoroughly happy. Coming home was the best thing she could have done. Jocelyn only wished she hadn’t stayed away so long. Tears sprang to her eyes as she thought of all the years she’d dealt with her pain alone. But then again, would things have turned out this way? She’d never know for sure. Unable to keep still, she leaned over and pressed her lips against his brow before rolling off the bed. She picked up Cade’s shirt and slipped it on.

Silver beams of moonlight illuminated the room through the window, beckoning her to them. Wrapping her arms around her body to stave off a shiver, she walked toward the window and sighed. Home. This is where she belonged. It would be no hardship to uproot and live here. In fact, she could hardly wait for the next stage of her life to begin.

Her mind drifted to Kyla, who’d come to mean so much to her over the past few years. She was going through her own private hell and Jocelyn hoped her friend could obtain peace in her life and perhaps find someone who would love and nurture her the way she deserved to be. Perhaps, Jocelyn could convince Kyla to stick around past the wedding.

She was so deep in thought that she didn’t hear Cade slide off the bed and join her. Strong arms wrapped around her. With a smile, she leaned against his hardness. “Hmm. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“No worries. I missed you.”

Jocelyn giggled. “I was only standing a few feet away, silly.”

“But you weren’t in my arms where you belong. If you’re not near me, I miss you.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “Aww, you’re so sweet.”

“No, you are. And I could just eat you up.”

“You already did,” she laughed.

“And you were delicious.” He nipped her earlobe playfully. “So, what were you thinking? You looked deep in thought.”

Jocelyn released a sigh. “I was thinking about how happy I am right now and also about Kyla.”

“What about her?”

“I wish for her to be happy one day. She’s been through so much. People judge her based on what they’ve read in the magazines and on gossip blogs, but she’s nothing like that. I know she seems standoffish to people who don’t know her, but she’s been through a lot in her life.”

“Well, if she’s a friend of yours, she must be a good person, besides I owe her one. If she hadn’t told me the truth, we might never have talked things out. For that, she’s okay in my book. But enough about her, I’d rather focus on us right now.”