“Kash?” I say, running the tips of my nails along his tatted arm. “Kashton, I’m here.” I shake his shoulder, getting his attention. “Wake up, Kash.”
Oh God, he’s not already dead, is he?
He groans, shifting his weight to his side. Placing his arm over me, he pulls me into him, and I sniff, trying to hold the fresh tears back. “Eve.” He sighs my name.
My chest squeezes at the sound of his rough voice. I sob that he’s alive. “Yeah, baby. I’m here.” I lick my trembling lips. “I’m here with you.”
“I miss you so much, angel,” he whispers, and my stomach drops.
“Wake up… Kash.” I clear my throat, trying to sound authoritative, but I’ve got a massive knot restricting my words.
My watery eyes roam his face, and my heart hurts at what I see. He looks like shit. Busted nose and lip. Swollen eyes, bruises, and cuts. He hasn’t shaved in who knows how long. “What happened to you?” My hands shake, afraid to touch him but wanting to help at the same time.
Is he in pain?
His heavy lashes flutter open, and I get a quick glimpse of his pretty blue eyes before they fall closed. They look bloodshot and tired. His hand moves up my spine as I cuddle into him, and I slide my nails down his tatted back.
“I love you,” I tell him as I bury my face in his neck and kiss his warm skin. He feels alarmingly hot. Does he have a fever? Are his cuts infected? Why hasn’t he had Gavin come by and look at him?
“Eve?” He pulls back, and this time his eyes are open and on mine.
“Yeah, Kash.” I sniff. “It’s me. I’m here,” I assure him. “I?—”
His lips find mine, and I allow him to push me onto my back. I wrap my legs around his waist, and my hands go to his unkempt hair.
He kisses me so hard it takes my breath away, his beard tickling my face. Lifting his hips, his hand falls between our bodies, and I beg him to fuck me, pushing Adam’s words out of my mind.
I need him and he needs me. I made it on time. He’s here and alive.
Pulling my lips from his, I beg him, “Please fuck me, Kash. I need you.”
“I need you too, angel.” He slides his pierced cock into my pussy with no foreplay.
I’m not even close to being wet, but I would never deny him. He buries his face in my neck while he works his hips back and forth, my pussy becoming wet with each thrust.
“Fuck, angel.” He groans. “Fuck, I miss you so much.”
Tears fall from the corners of my eyes. “I’m here, Kash.” My throat burnswith trying to hold in a sob at how he feels. That he thought I’d leave him. But I can see why he thinks that. I told him goodbye. I thought I was going to die, so I made him think that as well. Just like he put doubt in my head when he chased me out of this room and I thought I’d woken up in Dollhouse.
“I love you, Eve. I love you so much.” His weight is on top of me, his face in my neck with my arms and legs wrapped around him, holding him to me.
“I…love you,” I tell him, trying to catch my breath. There’s a pain in my upper chest that I ignore.
“I never made love to you…I’m so sorry. Please know I love you, angel.”
He fucks me as tears run down the side of my face. I wish I could stop them, but I can’t.
I was terrified of what I’d find and then horrified by what I did. I cling to him, telling him how much I love him while he holds me like there is no tomorrow. As if this is our last time together. But it can’t be. I won’t let it. I’ll show up every time for him. No matter what it costs.
EIGHTY-ONE
KASHTON
Iopen my heavy eyes and sit up, my hands going to my busted face. The bright light coming from the bathroom makes me groan. Did I leave it on?
Fuck. I need a drink and a cigarette.
“Fuck, angel.” I groan. “Fuck, I miss you so much.”
