Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Chapter 63

Sarah's

POV

The air outside had turned crisp and white. By the time we reached Richard's place, the snow was falling in soft, heavy flakes.

I loved that about the snow-the way it made the world feel like it was holding its breath, giving you a moment to pause, to savor.

Richard unlocked the door, and we stepped inside, brushing snow from our coats. His place felt different tonight-warm, inviting, with the glow of a low light casting soft shadows.

I felt myself relaxing as I looked around, taking in the little touches he'd added since I'd last seen it.

There were throw blankets on the couch, a few more framed photos on the shelves. It felt... homey, almost as if he'd made it ready for someone.

"You want tea or something warmer?" he asked, shrugging off his coat and giving me a half-smile.

"Tea sounds perfect," I said, letting my own coat fall onto the back of the couch as I wandered around, looking at the new photos he'd added.

There were pictures of him and his friends, one with his parents, another of him as a kid, laughing with a gap-toothed grin. I couldn't help but smile, feeling like I was glimpsing parts of him I hadn't seen before.

He came over with two steaming mugs, handing one to me, then nodding toward the couch. "You look like you could use a warm-up," he said, his tone gentle, playful.

I followed him over, sinking into the soft cushions as he sat beside me, close enough that our knees brushed.

The snow outside fell heavier now, coating the window with a frosty glaze. It made the whole room feel cozy, and I could feel the quiet between us, warm and comfortable. "So, remember that hike where we both got lost?" he asked, his eyes bright with amusement.

grinned, nodding. "How could I forget? I think we turned around so many times

he said, chuckling,

teased, nudging his shoulder. "If I remember right, I was

you were. But it was a good adventure, don't

had been a good adventure, one of many moments lately where I felt like I was seeing a new side of him-one

everything-the silly things we'd done in

closer to him. There

like rediscovering someone I'd once thought I knew completely, only to find there was so much more beneath the

I set my empty mug on the table and stretched out a little, letting myself relax against the couch. Richard shifted, moving a bit closer. His arm brushed mine, lingering there, and I could feel the warmth of his skin, the gentle rhythm of his breathing. "You comfortable?" he asked, his

was something in his gaze, it was soft but

quietly, my heart picking up a little. I wasn't sure what was happening between us, but

stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my cheek. I felt my

met his again, and suddenly, the air between us felt charged, thick

a lot about... how things were before. How I was before. I'm sorry, Sarah. I know I wasn't

"I can see

me, a softness in his gaze that made

could second-guess myself, I leaned in, my

his hand moved to my waist, pulling me a little closer, and I felt myself melt into him, losing track of everything else. He tasted like mint and charlotte, and his touch was soft, careful, like he was afraid of breaking the moment. My fingers found their way to his hair, tangling there as the kiss deepened, growing warmer, more certain. When we finally pulled back, we were breathless and a little dazed, I felt a soft blush creep over my cheeks. His forehead rested against

looked up at him, I wasn't sure where we were headed, but in this moment, I knew I wanted

searching mine. "Just...

at his words, and with a small nod, I leaned into

***

magnetic, tugging me closer to Richard with each heartbeat. He reached out, his hand cupping my cheek, his thumb brushing gently over my skin. I closed my

couldn't remember the last time he'd looked at me like this-with this kind