“Tell me it’s over.”
“I did,” I said. “I texted you—”
“I want to hear yousayit.”
It wasn’t the first time I’d encountered this determined, edgy version of David with features as sharp as a knife. The one who took what he wanted, and by the way he wet his lips—Iwas thewhat.
“It’s over,” I said breathlessly.
David dropped his arms and scooped me up by my waist, hugging me against his long body. Underneath me, his chest heaved with relief. One hand slid up my back and grasped the nape of my neck. “I’ve been so worried,” he murmured before his lips landed on mine. His warm, mint-flavored mouth invited me in, our heads tilting in opposite directions to get even closer.
I melted into him as my arms found their way around his neck, and I claimed my reward for everything I’d been through—not just that day, but for months and months. I kissed David freely, joyfully, and with less of the guilt I’d grown accustomed to.
When we parted, I smiled at him and sifted his silky dark hair through my hands. “It’s over, David,” I whispered. “Over.”
His forehead rested against mine. “You have no idea what it does to me to hear you say that.”
I giggled softly and wrapped my legs around him, aligning my crotch with his erection. “Actually, I do.”
“You can’t expect me not to get a hard-on the second I see you,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about taking you again since I left your apartment last night.”
I blushed. “Well, can you wait a little longer?”
He inhaled through his nose and squeezed me tightly. “No,” he said but patted my ass to get me to unhook my legs before setting me on my feet. “How did it go with Bill? What happened?”
“It was hard. Very, very hard.” I rubbed my forehead. “I was nervous.”
David crossed his arms over his chest, back in serious mode. “How’d he react?”
“He was confused. I don’t know if he believes it’s really over.”
“Confused,” David muttered, looking away. After a moment, his eyes returned to mine and narrowed. “Angry?”
“More sad, I think. He got upset when I gave him the ring back.”
“Upset how? Did he touch you?” The words rushed out as though he’d been holding in the question all day. He took my wrist and pushed up my sleeve, running his hands over my skin while keeping his eyes on me.
“No,” I said. “He flipped over a table and put a pretty decent hole in the wall, but other than that, no damage done.”
“Jesus Christ, Olivia.” David frowned. “That’s why I wanted to be there. The thought of you alone with him in that state makes me crazy.”
“We were together a long time,” I reassured David. “I know he’d never hurt me.”
“You can’t know how anyone will react in a situation like this. You just ripped the carpet out from under him.”
“I’m aware.” Why was David bringing this up again? The deed was done. I took my arm back. “We had this conversation last night.”
“Bill could fly off the handle,” David explained. “He could’ve hurt you, and there would’ve been nobody there. In the future, don’t expect to get away with that.”
I gaped at him. “Get away withwhat?”
“With telling me how to protect you. How to love you. How to keep you safe.”
I teetered between frustration and swooning over his overprotectiveness, but before I could respond, he took my left hand and ran his thumb over the tender place where my wedding ring had been. “I have to say, though—this makes me very happy.” David bent his head, kissed the empty spot, and raised his eyes to mine as he rumbled, “Veryhappy.”
My insides quickened as my heart melted. With his lips still on my hand, I warned, “It’s going to take a while for me to be okay.”
“I know, baby.” He dropped my hand and pulled me back into his all-encompassing embrace. “But I’m not going anywhere. We’re in this together.”
