AN: So, no more by weeks until Thanksgiving. And it looks like so far I'll be able to hold my schedule, since I'll be working on Chapter 10 tomorrow. I've had to increase the total run to 19 chapters, because of the fluff and news breaking I've had to put into 4 chapters when I was originally going to gloss over it.

Also, if you're curious about how I pictured some of my OCs for this story, I've made them in the sims (because I can't draw that great), and posted them on my tumblr after another reader decided to share her sim version of Gaara and Emika. I made Gaara and his siblings forever ago, but I posted the images of Emika, Tenshimi, Chie, Rinri, and Hira. Username AgentofMischief. Link: post/689990372957503488/so-my-ocs 4 posts in total if you want to look at them.

Now, for what you've all been waiting for.

Chapter 5

Gaara and Kankuro passed on a message to the Suna Council noting that they would be absent on urgent business for the rest of the day. They quickly returned to the penthouse and changed into wedding appropriate attire. Gaara was thankful he held onto the suits Temari had gotten him last year for the marriage meeting. The suit he didn't get to wear to his wedding there was still hanging in his wardrobe, which he decided to wear today. It was an off-white jacket and pants with silver buttons that matched the silver buckle on his belt. The silk vest was a pale silver, almost white, but not quite. The shirt he wore underneath it was a navy blue, and tied with a simple silver silk necktie that matched the vest. He unwrapped the silk pocket square picked for this ensemble.

He frowned as he tried to remember the way Temari showed him last year how to fold it correctly, but it seemed to have escaped him. Finally, he let out a frustrated huff and folded it the simple way before shoving it into the pocket. He fluffed it a little, then looked himself over in the mirror. He finger-combed his hair into place then walked out.

Kankuro stepped out when Gaara was passing his room. His brother had abandoned the hood this time, and wore a simple black on black suit. No tie or pocket square. And he'd redone his make-up to be less ostentatious. He only did the purple bar over his eyes and painted the corners of his mouth. He looked his brother over, then muttered, "I guess this is it."

Gaara only nodded nervously before they both made their way to the main deck off the living space and shunshining across the village, over the cliff wall to the Golden Lake, where the Central East Palace sat in Kin Village. Due to its oasis, the land of Kin Village was rather fertile, which meant it held most of the region's farming. Due to its proximity to Suna, being the closest village in the Land of Wind to the ninja village, many ninjas who didn't want to live in Suna proper lived there and farmed as extra income. Most of Suna's produce not grown in Suna's greenhouses were grown in Kin Village.

As Gaara and Kankuro cleared the village and made their way to the palace entrance, Kankuro finally spoke up. "Are you ready for this?"

Gaara licked his lips nervously, then said, "It's like any other mission."

Kankuro made a face as if he didn't entirely agree, but would not argue against Gaara's assessment.

Gaara reached for the front door, grabbing the large golden knockers shaped like lions on the door. He pulled it back and slammed down twice. The metal was heavy and loud, pounding on the door like battering ram.

Immediately, the doors swung open by a finely dressed butler, who bowed and ushered them in. As they stepped into the foyer of the palace, they were immediately received by Central East's regional Daimyo, Lord Kyuurou. Gaara had met him a few times over the years. Almost more frequently than Ginmaru in recent years. Kyuurou was a man in his late fifties, early sixties, as seen by his heavily peppered short brown hair. He had an olive complexion and clear green eyes. His eyes had the telltale crows-feet at the corner of his eyes, and his mouth had lines framing his smile. He wore semi-formal robes which made his tall frame look rather graceful.

Kyuurou smiled at both Kankuro an Gaara, and said, "Welcome. We've been expecting you." He then leaned over to his butler, whispering something in his ear. The butler bowed, then promptly left as Kyuurou smiled at his new guests. He turned gesturing to a hallway back and added, "Please. Follow me, so we can get started."

Silently, Gaara and Kankuro followed Kyuurou back. Gaara quickly looked around out of habit, taking in the foyer's high painted ceilings and crystal chandelier, as well as the polished marble floor covered in ornate vibrant rugs. Kyuurou had classical tastes. It made sense. His family was one of the oldest noble branches.

Kyuurou led them past the gallery, where the twin staircases were splitting the palace wings, and through a parlor and sunroom onto a green space with well-tended shrubberies and palm trees. The path was basic sandstone tiles until they rounded a large fountain, which blessedly wasn't running in this cold weather. The tile around the fountain changed to blue and gold mosaic tiles until past that, they entered an area surrounded by hedges. As they walked in, they could see it was a yard like space, with a white runner lining a path to the gazebo, which was bedecked in poinsettias, both red and white. In the structure stood an older man wearing ceremonial robes, who looked at Gaara carefully. On both sides of the runner were rows of chairs, most of which were already filled by people Gaara had no clue who they were.

Clearly, this was where the wedding would happen.

Kyuurou whispered to Gaara, "Take your spot by the officiant. We'll begin shortly," before marching forward and sitting next to his wife up front.

Gaara took a bracing breath, then made his way to the front. Kankuro followed, and stood next to him, assuming his role as Best Man. It wasn't like there was any one else who'd take the role. As Gaara looked out over the group of people sitting, watching him with vacant expressions, Kankuro leaned over to Gaara, muttering, "She wasn't kidding this was to be immediate. How did all these people know?"

Gaara shook his head, then realized everyone in attendance were palace workers. They all wore similar uniforms that passed for semi-formal attire. There was also a few ninja Gaara did recognize, although they were low-ranking ninja. Tenshimi's posse. They whispered amongst themselves as Gaara stood in the groom's position. Rinri walked in, taking a seat next to Kyuurou as a photographer took pictures of the gathering. That made Gaara frown, although he suspected Emika meant to release the photos to the public as the announcement they were married. The Daimyo cleared his throat, and signaled to the band, who started to play "Here Comes the Bride." Everyone stood as Tenshimi walked down the aisle first, wearing a long navy blue dress, holding white desert roses and dahlias. She took her place opposite Kankuro, and smiled at both of them. The song reached a bridge and swell, then out walked Chie with Emika.

Gaara's breath caught in his throat as he saw her. The dress was a champagne color with white lace, cut in a simple a-line, showing off her hourglass figure. The bodice was only white floral lace, and long sleeves of the same lace. She held a bouquet of the same white desert roses and dahlias. Her hair was pulled in a simple relaxed updo, allowing the veil to rest on the back of her head, secured by a simple jeweled comb. She was stunning.

He saw her not quite red-painted lips twist in a small smile as her eyes found his, and saw him standing there. She schooled the smile quickly, straightening her back and shoulders, puffing out her chest to project an air of confidence.

But Gaara saw it in the split second her eyes found his. She was just as nervous about marrying him. And if he wasn't mistaken, happy. He wondered if she'd imagined marrying him like he'd imagined marrying her several times over the years. While it wasn't happening under the circumstances he'd thought, it was still happening.

Chie kissed her cheek, sitting with his wife as Emika stepped forward. Gaara offered his hand, and she took it, stepping up next to him. Her hand was warm in his, and her grip was tight. "You look beautiful," he said, unable to think of anything else to say.

She only frowned at him skeptically, as if such a comment was meant to invite suspicion. Gaara blushed a little, averting his gaze awkwardly.

She cleared her throat, then said, "You clean up well, yourself." Gaara looked at her to see if she was looking at him, only to see her staring resolutely ahead at the officiant.

Gaara looked to him, and the officiant smiled back, offering a supportive nod. "Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to join in holy matrimony this man and this woman," the officiant said clearly to the Garden. "Gaara, do you take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward?"

"I do," he answered clearly, a little surprised how readily the words were on his tongue.

"Emika, do you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward?"

"I do," she answered just as clearly.

"Now it's time to bless the rings," the officiant stated. Chie stepped forward, and handed the officiant the rings. Simple gold bands for each of them. The officiant said a prayer over them, and then handed the smaller ring to Gaara, saying, "Put this on her finger, and repeat after me." Gaara lifted her left hand in his, and slid the gold band on her ring finger, and repeated the vows read to him.

"I, Gaara, take you, Emika, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death."

Then it was her turn. She grabbed the offered ring and took his left hand in hers, sliding the gold band on his ring finger as she said, "I, Emika, take you, Gaara, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death."

"And now, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant announced. He turned to Gaara with a smile, and said, "Gaara, you may kiss your bride."

Gaara looked at Emika nervously, but leaned in. He pressed his lips to hers. They were just as soft as he remembered. He licked at her tentatively, but she pulled back. She looked away sheepishly, and he couldn't help but think things were not how they were. They may be married, but she was not in love with him like she used to be.

The musicians began to play the Wedding March, and Emika grabbed his hand, nudging her head to the back. Gaara's heart pounded as he realized it was over already. They were married, except for the paperwork, which they'd sign in the foyer. They walked out of the Garden's together, the new ring suddenly feeling clunky on his finger. He was married. He'd married Emika, the girl of his dreams. So, why did everything feel so wrong?

She led him to the foyer with Tenshimi and Kankuro following after. Tenshimi smiled broadly at both of them, and laughed, "I can't believe this finally happened. You're actually married!" she squealed, grabbing Emika by the shoulders. Her curly light blond hair bounced around her

Gaara's thumb played with the ring on his finger as Kankuro commented, "It wasn't like they were engaged that long."

Tenshimi frowned at Kankuro, crossing her arms frustratedly. "You have no idea how much planning went into this, do you? How much was paid under the table so no one outside this palace knows what was happening."

"It looked like a lot," Kankuro murmured.

The officiant and Kyuurou arrived in the foyer, followed by Chie and Rinri and an older man who looked to be somewhere in his sixties. The palace workers filed in after, and Kyuurou gestured for them to get back to work. The officiant stepped around them to the table in the entryway, placing a book down. "Princess Emika, Lord Gaara, I need you to come here and sign."

Emika turned first, and Gaara followed. The officiant handed her the pen, and she signed the registry first. Then the officiant had Gaara sign it. Then the officiant pulled out the marriage certificate, and had them each sign. Emika first, and then Gaara. Then it was done. They were married.

The officiant turned to Tenshimi and Kankuro, saying, "And the witnesses, sign here." Tenshimi stepped forward first, signing her name to the registry and then passing the book to Kankuro. Kankuro looked at Gaara for a second. Gaara gave a small nod, and Kankuro shrugged, signing his name to the registry. Tenshimi signed the certificate, then passed it over, and Kankuro signed it.

The officiant smiled at everyone, then said, "Now we just need the consummation verification, and we can file." Gaara blushed at the reminder.

"I'm ready when you are," the older man said, gripping a black bag tightly in his hands.

Emika nodded, and gestured for them to lead the way. Gaara's eyes went wide, then he murmured, "Now?" His heart pounded with trepidation.

"We have a room prepared for you," Kyuurou stated. He turned to the stairs, and walked up. "Please, follow me."

They followed up in awkward silence. Meanwhile Gaara's heart was pounding. Was he going to be any good? Was it going to live up to his imaginations? Was it going to be like last time? He had difficulty thinking it would. It had been six years. And it wasn't like she loved him like last time. He knew it was going to be different. But how different scared him.

They were led to the bedrooms on the third floor of the East Wing. Kyuurou opened the second door in and revealed a large bedroom with a four-poster bed and a big bay window. The older man walked over to a corner, where a chair sat, and got comfortable with a book he had brought with him. Gaara stopped in the doorway, seeing him sitting there as Tenshimi walked over with Emika beside the bed, and began helping her out of her dress.

Seeing Gaara standing awkwardly in the doorway, Tenshimi spoke up, "Please, make yourself comfortable." Mid-unbuttoning, she gestured to a table next to the settee in front of the fireplace and said, "There's champagne, honeyed dates and chocolate strawberries to help set the mood. So, please help yourself. It's for you two."

When Gaara didn't move, the old man spoke up. "Please act as if I'm not here," he said, not even looking up from the book he had brought with him.

Emika's eyes finally caught Gaara's, and she simply said, "Please."

Gaara pressed his lips together awkwardly, but made his way to the table of aphrodisiacs. He ate a few of the honeyed dates as Tenshimi helped Emika out of her dress. He blushed as he saw underneath the lace corseted bodice of the wedding dress she only wore a shaping slip that left her breasts exposed, but covered her abdomen to the top third of her thigh. The sight of her breasts stole his breath. They had gotten bigger, and hung more heavily on her chest. Her nipples were no longer pale pink, but a dark dusty rose color that matched her lips against the milky pallor of the rest of her skin. He gulped as he tore his gaze away from her before she noticed his eyes on her.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Emika cover her breasts to the best of her ability with her arms. He felt her looking at his back, and he fought the urge to turn to face her. He removed his jacket, folding it neatly over the back of the settee as Tenshimi hung the dress on a velvet hanger. She grabbed a white lace coverlet on the silk hanger on the rack next to the wedding dress and another blue dress.

As Tenshimi gave Emika the robe, Emika paused then said in a hushed voice, "I thought I said silk. Modest."

"And I told you if you're having sex, men appreciate seeing the ladies," Tenshimi replied in an equally low voice. Emika clearly shot her an exasperated look because Tenshimi added, "If you wanted to look like the pinnacle of chastity on your honeymoon, you shouldn't have asked me to get your lingerie."

"Noted," Emika grumbled defeatedly, tying it on tightly.

"You're not going to remove the slip?"

"No."

"But the robe came with this lace number," Tenshimi whined.

"I'm not wearing that," Emika said bluntly.

"Why not? It's cute."

"You know why," Emika hissed.

"Ugh. It's not that bad," Tenshimi groaned. "Plus, he's your husband. Get over it."

"Thanks, Ten," Emika said curtly, clearly done with the conversation. "You can leave now."

"Whatever," she sighed, slamming the hanger back on the rack. As she swept out of the room, she added, "Be sure to try the champagne. Special import from the Land of Lightning. Extra bubbly. And I guess we'll see you on the Pearl tomorrow." She exited with a soft click of the door, leaving them alone in the room, except for the old man whose presence was only punctuated by the occasional turning of a page.

Emika joined Gaara by the table, neither of them looking at each other as she grabbed the bottle of champagne out of the ice bucket and began undoing the cork. "Glasses?" she asked, jutting her chin to the champagne flutes next to him. He passed one to her as she pulled the cork off with a loud pop. She poured hers, then frowned. "You don't want one?"

Gaara blushed as he admitted, "I'm not much of a drinker."

She reached past him, grabbing the other glass, saying, "Trust me, today you do. It'll take the edge off."

"Alright," he breathed as she poured him a glass. He took it and she silently clinked her glass against his. He took a small sip, feeling the bubbling burn hit his tongue then roll down his throat to his belly. It wasn't like the whisky Kankuro had him try at the marriage meeting. He'd had champagne before, so it wasn't a shock to his system, although he wasn't usually a fan. This however, as champagnes go, was tolerable. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Emika tilt the flute back and drink the whole glass in one fell swoop. He watched her unabashedly grab the bottle and refill the glass as he finished his sip. "I think you're supposed to sip it," he commented, unable to stop himself from making the snide comment.

"Yeah. I'm just too sober to be this exposed," she stated, taking another sip. This one slower.

He gave a pensive pout as he looked her over. Her breasts were definitely visible through the lace, but the way the robe draped over her and dragged along the floor, she looked very elegant. He looked at his drink and murmured, "Last time, you didn't seem to care."

She scowled up at him and said, "If you're talking about the time at the springs, I was hammered. And my body's changed a bit since I was fifteen."

"Mm," he grunted agreeably.

She scowled at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" she snipped.

"N-Nothing," he mumbled. Her eyes narrowed on him dangerously, and he blurted, "Just your breasts are bigger. And your nipples have changed." He blushed as he realized he was staring at her chest, so he turned to finish his champagne, unable to believe he'd said something so crass, only to realize the old man was smirking knowingly, shaking his head as he turned another page. Gaara cursed himself internally.

Quickly, Emika finished her second glass then popped a chocolate covered strawberry in her mouth, separating the stem from the berry with a bite. "How about we just get this over with," Emika said as she grabbed a tube off the table then sat on the edge of the bed.

Always what a man wants to hear before sex, Gaara thought sarcastically as he put his glass on the table. His heart pounded as he turned to face her, seeing her lace robe drape over the edge of the bed like a curtain under her legs, her feet resting on low footboard. She raised a hand and wagged two summoning fingers

He started undoing his tie and unbuttoning his vest as he walked over, and she said, "You don't have to get completely undressed." He frowned a little confused, looking her over, as if her nakedness warranted his exposure. She rolled her eyes as she said, "All that fabric in my wedding dress, I would have suffocated under. Just come here."

He let out a calming exhale as he walked over to her. She let him settle comfortably between her knees as she reached for his belt, undoing it. Then his pants. He watched her the whole time, enjoying the sight of her nervously licking her lower lip as she unzipped his pants, and her hands then pulled his pants and underwear down just enough to let his half flaccid member flop out. She then touched him gently, petting his member with tender, soft strokes. His breath hitched and his eyes fluttered closed for a second under the sensations. Six years, yet her touch still brought his skin to life. With every stroking pet, he could feel himself growing harder in her hand.

"Does that feel good?" she asked.

"Mm," he grunted affirmatively.

"Think of it like a mission," she said stiffly, still stroking him. When he frowned, she added, "It's important you get off. So, when you get in, just think about what usually does the trick for you. Ok?"

He looked down at her a little oddly, wanting to say, You. I always think about you. But he couldn't tell her that. He gulped back his feelings, but nodded his understanding.

She stopped rubbing him when she saw he had reached his maximum size, then leaned forward to pull her slip up over her ass, exposing her now shaved sex. She licked her lips nervously as she reached for the tube she'd grabbed off the table, squirting the gel onto her fingers, then applied it to her sex. Gaara blushed more at the sight, getting oddly aroused as she touched herself. She then squirted a little more on her fingers, then warned, "It's going to be a little cold."

She then applied the gel to his penis, and he let out a hiss from shock. "What is it?" he asked.

"Lube," she muttered. "So you don't hurt me."

He blinked as she massaged it in, then asked quietly, "Did I hurt you last time?"

She paused, looking up at him. "No. But it's different this time."

The insinuation was clear. She was in love with me last time. He licked his lips nervously as she finished applying the gel, then laid back, her legs spreading so he could press his hips against hers. With two fingers, she guided his member to her sex until his head pressed against her opening. He pressed in, feeling her wrap her legs around his waist and hips. The feeling was silken wonder as he sheathed himself in her fully. He saw her breath hitch as her breasts raised sharply as he pressed against her cervix.

He rolled his hips against her several times unresponsively, his cock deep inside. If he had to describe the sensation of prodding his member into her as her body jostled beneath him, it reminded him of the Second Prohibition. "Sexual Intercourse should therefore only be done as means of creating new life, as duty to one's self and one's clan. Passionless and clean." Passionless and clean. And boring. He looked at her face and found little enjoyment in her expression as she blinked at the ceiling. She caught his gaze once, and it felt oddly personal and wrong, so he quickly looked away.

He tried to focus on how her breasts bounced. How they looked underneath the tantalizing lace. But that only got him so far before he wanted to nibble and suck on them. For the first time in six years, they were right there. He tried to think about his bouts of masturbation, as she'd suggested earlier, but quickly realized he hadn't just been imagining his dick in her, but his hands worshipping her skin, and her lips breathing life into his as she moaned his name.

He began biting his lip as he stared at her lips. Feeling her surrounding him, their bodies rejoined so intimately, his mouth ached to kiss her. To feel her lips against his as he pushed and pulled inside her. To feel her react against him. He raised a hand to caress her neck before bending over her and planting his lips on hers. He licked at her to urge her to kiss him back, only to feel her hand press at his clavicle as her lips tightened in a line. He pulled away to look at her for an explanation. "I-I don't think that's wise," she stated.

He brushed his lips against hers as he breathed, "Why not?"

She licked her lips, her fingers curling into a loose fist as she said, "It'll just open a can of worms."

His jaw moved achingly, then he said, "It'll take longer if I don't kiss you." It wasn't a threat or anything. Just plain fact. He wouldn't be able to go if he couldn't lose himself in her.

She sighed, the reached for the collar of her robe and pulled it aside, exposing her breast for him, her thumb brushing over her nipple, which had stiffened to a point from the cold and arousal. He understood her meaning, and dropped his mouth to her breast, licking at her nipple. He heard her breath hitch and felt her body clench as his tongue flicked her nipple. He pressed his nose into the mound, wanting to suffocate against her flesh. He felt her hand drift to the back of his head, her fingertips rubbing softly against his scalp, sending shivers down his spine.

His hand cupped her breast lovingly as his mouth sucked at her. Feeling her breathing under his hands was what he needed to feel. Drowning in her scent allowed him to lose himself in the sensations of her body like he needed. To feel as if her body was his to violate. His to love.

His hands wrapped around her waist as he felt the threshold of his climax approaching. "Mm," he grunted as his body plunged forward, racing to that pinnacle of ecstasy. He licked at her breast, needing to taste her as he groaned against her skin, "Emika." With a final push into her, burying himself deep in her core, he came. He rode his climax out with another three pumps, coating her insides with his seed as he grunted into her cleavage.

As he took deep gasping breaths, he lifted his head to look up at her, expecting her to look back at him with love like in the glen, only to see her tiredly looking out the window. Her hand in his hair now feeling as absent as her gaze. He frowned, an odd feeling forming in the pit of his stomach seeing her dead eyes not even registering how his body loved her. "It's snowing," she said just as emptily, her eyes not wavering from the window.

He frowned as he looked out the window and saw it was in fact snowing. Just flurries. It wouldn't stick. The large snowflakes began to melt as soon as they hit the window. He blinked hard, his heart aching a little as he wondered if he'd broken her heart to the point that even the intimate act of love-making didn't touch her heart. Didn't melt those cold, dead eyes.

He pushed himself off her and pulled out. She dropped her legs a little as she finally looked at him and asked, "Did you finish?"

"Yeah," he murmured awkwardly, pulling his pants back into place and fastening them. She pulled her robe back into place over her breast just as awkwardly.

The old man snapped his book shut, reminding Gaara of his existence. "Alright, then. You can wait outside while I finish my inspection," the old man chirped, gesturing towards the door.

Gaara only blinked at him, then grabbed his jacket and tie, and walked to the door. He heard the old man drop his bag as he paused at the door. "Scoot forward, darling," the old man said tiredly, as if looking at vaginas was normal business for him. Gaara looked back, seeing the old man kneeling between her legs as he reached in his bag for an odd, metal bird-beak looking device. He saw the old man insert the device as Emika looked at the ceiling, taking a steadying breath. He felt awkward seeing it, to see her so resigned to such an invasion. He got the sense she was used to it, and he wasn't sure what thought was more unsettling: that she didn't feel love anymore because of him, or that the life she was assigned at birth required such an invasion to the point it was mundane to her.

Either way, her lack of participation made it clear this was little more than a business deal. She didn't make love with him like he imagined. She also didn't fight his invasion. Didn't struggle. Just laid down and took it. Stared out the window and waited for him to finish using her body. He felt a little sickened as he realized it was the exact same situation as Ginmaru's proposition, except now he was Ginmaru in this situation, and she was him. He licked his lips and turned away, pushing the thoughts from his mind as he opened the door only enough to ease out of it and leave.

As he stepped out to the hallway where Kankuro, Rinri, Chie, Tenshimi, and Kyuurou waited. Kankuro saw Gaara first and stepped forward. "So," he murmured, placing a brotherly hand on his shoulder, "how was it?"

Gaara's hairless brow arched to his hairline, scrunching his "love" scar with worried wrinkling. "Odd," he answered, not sure how else to describe it.

"Odd?" Kankuro parroted.

"It wasn't what I was expecting," Gaara clarified, fingering the lapel of his jacket.

Kankuro pursed his lips thoughtfully as he nodded. "Well, I guess that narrows down what happened in the glen," he muttered under his breath.

"What?" Gaara asked, not sure he heard him correctly.

"Nothing," Kankuro said, waving the comment off as if it meant nothing. "Just a mental note." He cleared his throat, then asked, "Well, how do you feel?"

Gaara blinked, realizing his head and heart were all over the place. "I'm not sure," he murmured. "Fine, I guess." It wasn't entirely accurate to his feelings. His heart had started to hurt with the thought of how much he'd broken the princess last time. She was so different now. Impossible to connect to. Oddly enough, she reminded Gaara of his younger years with her now ever present thousand-yard stare, just less homicidal.

She wouldn't let him kiss her. Wouldn't let him connect on any emotional level. The first time they made love six years ago, they had watched each other as they brought each other to the brink of ecstasy. Today, just catching her eyes by accident was like seeing a stranger naked. Personal and wrong. He knew he'd broken her heart all those years ago. He'd broken his own heart, and struggled to put it back together again. But he didn't realize he'd also broken her spirit completely. Not until the sex just now. And to know that he'd broken her spirit to that point hurt him more than he thought it would.

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