Tessa’s POV
The words that have been making a nest in my heart for what felt like an eternity have finally been spoken out loud. I couldn’t stop them once they filled my heart and escaped my lips. Joseph was still breathing hard after his climax, and he remained on top of me.
I said those words between his lips as he kissed me and then once the words registered in his mind, I felt his entire body freezing.
“You don’t have to say it back,” I said quickly, running my fingers through his hair. “I just thought you should know how I was feeling.”
For a moment, I thought I saw pain flashing through his eyes, and I wondered what that was about. I ran my fingers down the side of his face, and he closed his eyes, leaning into my touch. I leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips.
To my surpr
