Faith.God, I hated that fucking empty word.
“Have faith, Mrs. Taylor. The chemo may work.”
“Have faith, Ellie. This drug could be a miracle.”
“I'll try,” I lied. “You'll call me if you hear—”
“Yes, of course. And Ellie, he has you now. I know that will make him fight twice as hard to get out. If you love a fireman, this comes with the territory. Doesn't make it suck any less, of course. If you're going to be with my brother . . .”
“I know you're right. Thank you.”
I hung up and pulled up my text messages.
Me: Please come over after work. I don't care what time it is.
I climbed back into bed and clutched the pillow that still smelled like Nick. The scent of his aftershave filled my senses so much I felt his stubble against my cheek.Stop it, Ellie.Like Marilyn said, this came with the territory.
I fell into a sort of sleep. I drifted then awakened and fell back again, clutching my phone. I glanced at my blank phone screen between cycles. By three o’clock, I was exhausted. When my phone buzzed at seven, I jumped up so fast I almost slid off the bed.
Nick: I'm at the door. I didn't want to ring the bell and wake Jack.
I scrambled to my feet and sprinted to my front door.He was here. He was okay.
I unlocked the door and launched myself at him. He laughed as I peppered kisses all over his face.
“The first thing my dad always told us was don't watch the news,” he whispered into my neck. “Rarely do they ever have a full story.”
I nodded but couldn't speak as hot tears rolled down my cheeks.
“Hey, shh.” He cradled my face in his hands and swiped my tears with his thumbs. “This is my job, sweetheart. I—”
“I know, I know.” I panted, trying to get my heart and breathing to slow down. I fisted his jacket as my head burrowed into his chest.
Nick rubbed my back and kissed my forehead. “Stop it. It's okay. I'm here and—”
“I love you.” Shock spread across Nick’s features at my admission. “I love you so much. More than I thought was possible to love anyone ever again. I won't let you walk out that door again without knowing that. Do what you want with it, but I love you.”
Nick blinked and jerked back. “Do what I want with it? Are you kidding me? I've been in love with you for months. I was afraid telling you would scare you away.” He sighed as he pulled me closer, framing my face as he beamed at me. “You're the love of my life, Ella-Jane.”
A sob rolled through me at the same time my lips curved up in a smile. I grabbed Nick’s face and crashed my lips into his. Until that moment, I never thought it was possible to have two true loves, but Nick was the love of my life, too. There was no shame in having more than one in a lifetime. In fact, it was a blessing I resolved to never question, ever again.
“What time do you have to be up?” Nick murmured against my lips.
I whimpered as his tongue caressed mine. “Now.”
“We better make it quick then.” He lifted me up by my waist and carried me into the bedroom. I ripped off my nightshirt the second he lay me on the bed. I sat up on my knees and felt for the hem of Nick’s shirt as he made quick work of unbuckling his belt and pants.
When we were both naked, he lowered me back onto the bed and cupped my cheek.
“I love you. Do you have any idea how good it feels to finally tell you?”
His lips trailed open-mouthed kisses down my body until he was between my legs. “Always so sweet,” he whispered against my soaked flesh before wrapping his lips around my swollen clit. I bit my lip to muffle a groan as I sat up to tug him closer. He lifted his head and, holding my gaze, glided two fingers all the way inside me. A wicked smile spread across his face as he inched them in and out. He went back to my clit, sucking and flicking it with his tongue. His fingers curved as they worked their way deep into the sweet spot that would push me over the edge. My mouth opened in a silent scream as my heels dug into his back.
We both let out a gasp as he slid inside me. I pulled him closer, digging my nails into his back as he moved faster and faster as if he couldn’t get deep enough inside.
“I love you,” I groaned as my hips bucked off the bed, meeting Nick thrust for thrust.
“Say it again,” he grunted, cupping my neck to pull my lips to his.
