“I’m sorry I didn’t stop the kiss. I pushed him off me as soon as it happened, but I should have been smarter or more alert so I could have stopped it before it even happened.” I sighed. “I don’t want it to come between us. I washed my mouth and lips right after.”
A sob broke free. I was losing it. All the adrenaline was wearing off and everything was catching up with me.
“Shh, baby. No man has the right to touch someone against their will and it wasn’t your fault.” His thumb brushed across my lower lip. “And nothing will ever come between us. I love you so much, Red. I was lost while you were gone.”
His touch felt so right. God, he was the most incredible man. But I couldn’t stop the tears and my voice wouldn’t work. He held me through it until I calmed down.
“You are the strongest woman I know, baby. You held it together for two days. Then, you took what you learned in one self-defense class and used it to set yourself free. I am so damn proud of you.”
It felt so good to hear him say that and then from the front seat came another voice that had been quiet the whole ride to that point.
“He’s right. You kicked ass and I’m proud of you too,” Gyth said.
That was amazing to hear and I couldn’t help the smile that tilted my lips upward. “Thank you,” I said aloud to them both.
I placed my hand on Lyric’s cheek and our eyes met. “Think you might kiss me now because I desperately need to feel your mouth against mine?”
He gave me one of his sexy smiles. “It would be my pleasure.” Then he leaned down and softly brushed his lips against mine in the sweetest kiss in history. It was full of promise and an abundance of love.
I was so glad in that second that I was safe and back with Lyric.
Because I wouldn’t have been able to live without him or his kisses.
* * *
The hugs didn’t stop comingbut I wasn’t complaining.
When we walked into Braxton’s home everyone wanted a turn at embracing me and murmured wonderful things in my ear about how happy they were that I was okay. But the first set of eyes I looked into were the ones filled with tears and belonging to my Gramps. My heart did a nosedive at the thought of him sad and worrying about me, but when he wrapped his arms around me so many things felt right in that moment.
And then there were sweet hugs from Jett who held me for so long I didn’t think he was going to let me go. “I wouldn’t have been okay without you, Sis.” Emotion clogged his throat and almost tore me to pieces.
Soon, all the ladies, including Patience, the men, and the kids, descended on me. It took time for them all to make their rounds, but one little angel was holding back, and it was daunting. What if all of this caused a huge emotional setback for Autumn?
I let her have her space as she watched silently and then when things settled down I dropped to my knees and looked into her bright blue eyes that shimmered with tears. My girl shouldn’t have had to worry about someone else leaving her again and it killed me to think those might have been her exact thoughts.
But it was over and I was there now.
“Hey, sweet girl,” I said softly. Then, I opened my arms wide and waited.
For a second, I didn't think she was going to move, but then she rushed me as fast as her tiny legs would allow and jumped into my arms. Her strawberry, little girl scent surrounded me, and I closed my eyes, allowing more tears to fall.
I told myself that I was almost done with them but since the first time they fell, I was having trouble holding them at bay.
Autumn pulled away from me and turned to everyone, “Mommy, home,” she told them as if they couldn’t see that, but I think it was her way of reassuring herself.
“Yes she is, Pumpkin,” Lyric said, picking her up and holding out a hand to help me stand.
When I placed my hand in his, tingles raced up my arm. His touch always had that effect on me. My mind went back to the first time I’d seen him and how I felt from that first second. And then when I walked into his life later and from that time forward we had been together. I wondered briefly how I could allow myself to put my heart on the line and then I wondered a short time later how I couldn’t.
Because he was my heart.
While I was stuck in the room for two days I’d told myself if I got out of the situation and back to Lyric, I wouldn’t waste any more time. Everyone we loved was right there so it was perfect. With his palm still in mine, I stayed on my knees.
Lyric wrinkled his brows in confusion.
I took a deep breath and mentally prepared myself for what I was about to do. And I prayed that I received the answer I so desperately wanted.
“I know this is a bit unconventional but when I was stuck in a delusional stranger's home and I didn’t have you—any of you—” I swept my arm around the room motioning to everyone, “I made a promise that I wouldn’t waste time reaching for my future.”
