Cora tries not to spend every night with me, and sometimes, I abide by her rules, knowing it won’t last very long. I think we’ve spent two whole nights apart, and she complained to me both times about how she couldn’t sleep and that I should spend the night again.
Soren has mentioned her a few times and even hinted at marriage. But I have assured him that it will come. I just have to do it at the correct time. I didn’t want to ask her to marry me when she was burying her best friend. I may be “slightly” obsessed with her, but I have enough common sense to know that wasn’t the time. And then someone mentioned that maybe she’s trauma-bonding to me, but it’s not that either. We simply enjoy each other’s company and can’t get enough of touching one another. If I could spend every night burying myself inside her, I would gladly do it. When we’re out in public, she has to repeatedly brush my hands away from her because I’m constantly touching her.
She took me to a work event once, and I fucked her in the bathroom. When we were done, she made me promise only to touch her hand for the rest of the night so that we wouldn’t end up right back in the bathroom.
I’m wildly in love with her. I never once thought I would love a woman the way I love her. Sure, I always loved fucking them, but there was nothing beyond that. I was terrified to let a woman in because of the abuse I endured at the hands of a woman. But I can tell when I’m spiraling now, and I know how to pull myself out of it. When I’m with Cora, she puts me at ease, and that’s something incredibly new and refreshing for me. I’d always needed my own space and never wanted anyone else to come into it, but I have welcomed her with open arms into every aspect of my life.
She has her belongings here in my bathroom and clothes in my closet that she’s left behind over the past few weeks. I had a new chest of drawers brought in just for her. I don’t think she’s even realized it. Maybe she thought it was there all along, and I don’t plan to tell her any different.
Though I do have a few belongings at her apartment, most of our time is spent at my place. I can tell she likes it here, which will make the offer I’m going to present to her easier, and I hope she accepts it.
Cora spent the day with her mother. I told her I would tag along to help, but she said she likes to do that alone, which I fully respect. Sometimes, when she visits her mother, her energy is depleted upon returning. It must be tough to watch someone you love disappear right before your eyes. On those days, I always make sure to have food ready and sometimes even a bath run for her.
Understanding that she has changed me in so many ways, without even asking me to do so, is another reason I know I fucking love her. Not even the Forsaken draws me in like it once did. I used to love attending parties and mingling with others who shared my interests. And the hunts? Fuck, I was like a kid playing their favorite game when it came time for one. But my feelings about them have changed since that day. The thought of putting on that mask after seeing her so broken when she was forced to wear one makes my stomach churn.
But I’ll do it.
Because once you’re in, you’re in.
And I’m so fucking in for her.
FORTY-SEVEN
CORA
I’ve become obsessed with a man, and I never thought that would ever happen. But I’m so glad he’s even more obsessed with me than I am with him. However, he’s trained better at hiding it.
I told my mom all about him today. And while she had no idea what I was talking about, it felt good to finally tell someone other than Sebastian all about Arlo. I even quietly told her about the Forsaken and the hunt. I knew it wouldn’t go further than her, so I don’t feel like I betrayed anyone.
I’ve been spending a lot of time sleeping at Arlo’s house, and I’m starting to like it more than my own. He doesn’t think I noticed, but he bought a new dresser for me, and I’ve been slowly filling it up. I’m waiting for him to ask me to move in with him. I thought he would have done it sooner, but I’m glad because we’ve just been enjoying each other, going out, doing everyday things that couples do. We even went to the movies last week. He takes me out for dinner at least once a week, and the rest of the time, he cooks or orders in.
I no longer bother knocking when I arrive at his house. I use the key instead, giving up hope that I would one day break in, and he’s never asked for it back.
But this time, when I arrive, there are no lights on in the house. I’m confused at first, that is, until I turn the corner and see the living room floor covered in candles. And in the middle of them is Arlo, down on one knee, watching me as I take everything in.
“What are you—” I stop when I realize what he’s doing.
“Cora Ashford,” he starts. I drop my bag to the floor and slowly make my way to him, careful not to touch a single candle. “I’m not asking you this because of other people’s expectations. I want you to be very aware of that. Do you understand?” I nod, and he raises a brow. “Words.”
“Yes.”
“I actually thought it would be months before I asked you this question, but then a few weeks ago, I was walking downtown, and I passed a jewelry store where I stopped to look in the window. Jewelry is nothing to me, but beads, on the other hand, are everything.”
I can’t help the little laugh that bubbles out of me.
“It was the same color as my favorite thing I get to stare at every day.”
I lower my gaze to his hand, where I see a ring with a gold band and a large green stone at its center, almost like an emerald.
“I bought it on the spot and have had it in my pocket ever since.”
“It’s beautiful,” I tell him. Truly, it is.
“What’s even more beautiful is the woman who will be wearing it. So, Cora Ashford, will you be my wife?”
“Your wife?” I whisper.
When I first met this man, I never thought I would become his wife. Now I can think of nothing better.
