She relaxed and leaned against his torso, melting against him. His hold on her relaxed, and he draped one arm around her back. His lips were on her face, kissing her. She groaned and tried to sit up. He helped her stand, then she moved to the couch and dropped down beside him.
“I need to toss this.”
She nodded, wishing they could go without a condom, but it would be months before she could trust that none of the tests would come back positive. She hated that she didn’t know what had happened to her.
Griz turned and paused. “You okay?”
She looked up and tried for a smile. “Yes. I just…” Did she really want to bring this up?
Griz sat beside her, holding her hand. “Tell me.”
“I hate that we have to use a condom.”
He squeezed her hand and then patted her leg. “I know you do, but we’ll get through this. Wearing a condom isn’t a big deal. Honestly, I’ve always worn them, even when a woman told me she was on the pill or she had some sort of contraceptive preventing pregnancy. I couldn’t risk it because I never wanted to be attached to anyone. Eventually,you and I will decide what we want to do about kids, if we even want to have them, and then we’ll discuss going without a condom. For now, we’re going to protect both of us.”
“So you don’t hate it?”
“No. I love you, and that’s all that matters.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you. You’re being so good to me. I love you.”
He moved her so she was on his lap. Being with him like this was wonderful. She could make it through this with Griz’s support. He gave her strength, which she’d never really experienced in a relationship before. But this thing she had with Griz was different, solid. What they had was real, and no trauma would rip it apart.
Chapter 40
Griz wokewhen Elowen whimpered in her sleep. He held her but didn’t wake her. After a moment, she calmed and dropped back into deep sleep.
How often was she waking when she was on her own? He needed to make sure she had a therapist. She was doing okay, but because she was having some bad dreams, she probably had more going on inside than she was willing to admit.
Close to five thirty, he got out of bed, showered, and started making breakfast. Elowen shuffled into the kitchen about twenty minutes later.
“Good morning.”
She groaned. “Good morning. I need coffee.”
“You got it. I need to leave for work in a bit.”
She nodded. “I’m going to rest, and I…”
She’d trailed off, and he turned to look at her. “What else?”
“I have a video appointment with a therapist. I don’t know, though. I’m not sure if I need to do that.”
He turned off the burner and moved to stand in frontof her. “Last night, you were whimpering in your sleep. I think you’re having bad dreams.”
She frowned and then nodded. “I guess I’ll keep the appointment.”
“If you like, I can get you set up on my computer.”
She shook her head. “No, I brought my laptop.”
“Cool. Do you want something to eat?”
“Not yet. I need to drink some coffee and sit for a bit.”
“Sounds good.”
Griz ate his food, and she sat, sipping her coffee. “I’m glad I came here. Even though you’re at work, I’ll be here when you get home tonight.”
