“What?”I stopped walking to look at him. “What do you mean, you got fired? Are you okay?” The snow started to pick up around us, and he retook my hand, which had fallen from his when I suddenly stopped.
“I’m great, if we are being honest, and it’s because I punched Justin in the face. Oh, and as my final parting gift, I did file a complaint against Tiffany for what she texted you, and how she tried to lie to break us up. Will anything come of it? Probably not, because of Justin, but it was the least I could do.”
“I don’t exactly getwhyyou had to punch Justin in the face.”
“Because I would have been forced to work out a notice—and possibly a long one, possibly one that took me to places forlong periods of time, and get the flights no one wants. It would have taken me away from you. It would have put me around the people who hurt you, and I wasn’t willing to take that risk. I know I messed up, and I was a coward. I made a choice to ignore them because it didn’t matter. They stopped mattering the moment I met you.” He shrugged as if he knew it was an asshole thing to say, but wasn’t going to rectify how he felt because it justwas. “I didn’t tell you about Tiffany because I barely saw her before you, and I never looked twice after you. It doesn’t make it right. Just know I’d do anything for you—anything. And I’m so sorry.”
I stared at him, taking in everything he said. My mouth was parted in shock and awe, yet I was half pissed that he was such a dumb man. Even if he wasmydumb man.
“You’re really an idiot.”
“I know.”
“Let’s go home.”
We continued our walk home. I frowned at the lights that weren’t lit, a pang in my chest rocking me back a bit as I wondered if the tree was still there. And I knew my question was written all over my face because Elijah pulled me to him.
“It’s still there. I couldn’t…I couldn’t come home without you, but do you trust me?”
I looked up at him and saw only sincerity reflected back at me in his eyes. I nodded.I do trust you.
“Okay, then. Let’s do this together.”
As we walked into the house, the tension was thick and palpable with unspoken words and what awaited just inside. I stood there, heart racing as Elijah stepped closer, his eyes dark with something I had longed for: regret, desire, and determination.
“I’m sorry, Bonnie,” he said, his low voice carrying a weight to it. “Come with me.” He led me toward the tree I had decorated,and my body recoiled at the sight of it. He stalked over to it and started plucking all the ornaments off the tree, ripping them to shreds and handing me some to do the same. I couldn’t help the relief that flooded through me, doing that with him.
“You aren’t boring. You’re everything. I crave dinners at home with you. I dream about cuddling on the sofa. I spend all day thinking about coming home to you so I can hear about your day. I itch to run my hands through your hair. I’ve looked into getting a perfume made with your scent so I can carry it around with me. And I should have said that to everyone instead. That you’re everything. I thought that as long as you and I knew it, who cared, but it was just easier for me. And by doing that, I hurt you.”
Each word was cementing my decision to work through it, to move on and forward. I felt the measly walls I had started to build around myself crumble, and I saw all the truths I needed in his eyes. Raw and honest.
Before I could respond, he was on me, his lips crashing against mine with furious intent that lit a spark to the fire deep within me. I melted into him and his embrace. The heat of his body pulsed through our clothes. My hands found their way to his hair, and I pulled him closer as I kissed him back, desperate to feel every part of him.
“Elijah,” I breathed as he broke the kiss and began trailing his lips down my jawline, across my neck, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake.
“Let me show you,” he murmured against my skin, his breath hot and welcoming against mine. “Let me show you.”
His lips moved lower, brushing against my collarbone, and I felt a rush of emotions swirling within me—fear, vulnerability, and most of all, desire. Desire to believe him, to let him in, to let go of the hurt.
“Take me upstairs, Elijah. Take me to our bed.”
He scooped me up, peppering me with kisses on our way to the bedroom. With each kiss, he spoke, his words a soft whisper over my skin. “You’re so beautiful, Bonnie. You’re passionate. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.” We finally made it upstairs, and he placed me gently on the bed as he moved over me, pulling my shirt down. He kissed the swell of my breasts before removing my shirt completely, then down my stomach, each kiss igniting sparks all over my body. I gasped as he paused, looking up at me, those deep eyes pausing to search mine to see if there was any hint of hesitation.
“Yes,” I agreed, feeling bold. “Show me.”
With a grin, he continued his descent, kissing every inch of my skin as if it were a sacred map he needed to study. He hooked his thumbs and pulled my leggings and panties off in one swoop. He lavished attention on my thighs—a slow, deliberate exploration that left me a mumbling, begging, breathless mess.
“I’m here,” he said softly, his lips brushing against my inner thigh. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The heat pooling in my core was undeniable, every nerve ending buzzing with need. I felt beautiful, desired,cherished. I threaded my fingers through his hair, urging him closer, my body arching toward him as he continued to kiss away my doubts.
“Tell me you mean it,” I whispered, my voice trembling with need.
“I mean it, Bonnie. You are my everything,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion as he returned his lips to mine, capturing my mouth in a passionate kiss that left me dizzy.
In that moment, all the hurt faded, and I lost myself in him, in the taste of his lips and the warmth of his body pressed against mine. I knew that forgiveness wasn’t just about words; it was about actions, and he had done what he could to prove to me it wasn’t what I’d thought. I believed him. Forgiveness was aboutthe way he made me feel, the way he kissed me as if I were the only person in the world.
As our lips finally broke apart, my chest thrummed with anticipation as he restarted his exploration of my body, pausing to pay homage to each soft curve, kissing and nibbling his way down.
