Once I’m empty, she pulls back and smirks. Like she’s proud.
I shrug off my open shirt, tossing it aside. I gather her into my arms and tuck her head underneath my chin. She lets out a breathy laugh, sliding her arms around my neck as I lift her with ease. I carry her through the apartment, heading straight for the massive guest bathroom.
I leave the door open and step through, placing her gently on her feet. I kneel and turn the tap on the bath, testing the water temperature with my hand until it’s just right.
“What are you doing?” she asks, watching me as I unscrew the cap of a bottle and tip its contents into the bath. Bubbles expand and multiply across the surface.
Standing, I step forward and gently spin her until her back is flush against my chest. I lower my mouth to her neck and the hollow behind her ear, placing soft kisses over the curve of her shoulder and across the bare skin of her upper back.
My fingers find the thin straps of her dress again, sliding them down one at a time.
“We’re taking a bath,” I say.
The silk slips down her body, pooling at her feet, leaving her in nothing but her heels.
She’s mesmerizing.
I take her hand and gently turn her to face me once more. Dropping to my haunches, I lift one of her feet and unbuckleher heel, kissing her ankle and easing her foot out of it. Then the other.
She stands before me, naked and so radiant.
“You take my breath away, Gemma,” I say, barely able to hold myself together.
“So do you,” she whispers.
She helps me undress, tugging my trousers down my legs. I step out of them and lead her to the tub, climbing in behind her and pulling her against my chest. She sighs into me.
Her head drops back to rest on my shoulder, and I wrap my arms around her, winding them tight. My cock presses against her arse, hard and eager for more, but I ignore it as best I can. Not because I don’t want her, but because this—holding her, having her—is more than enough.
“Thank you,” she says, barely above a whisper.
I nuzzle her neck. “For what, baby?”
“For being patient with me.”
My brows pull together. She has no idea. I would give this woman anything. I squeeze her gently. “Thank you for trusting me.”
She wiggles slightly, craning to look up at me. It’s then I notice her eyes, brimming with unshed tears.
I run my thumb against her cheek, bubbles clinging to her skin. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
Her throat bobs with a swallow. “I love you.”
The world tilts on its axis.
Her touch seeps through me. Into my marrow and everything that I am.
“I love you too,” I say, my voice clogged with emotion.
One tear escapes, sliding down her cheek, and I lean in, kissing it away.
“Baby, why are you crying?” I whisper. “That’s a good thing.”
She shakes her head, her voice cracked and so small. “Because you’re leaving.”
And just like that, my heart splinters.
“I’m still here. I haven’t gone anywhere. We can figure something out,” I say.
