It took me a second to adjust to the light.When I did, Henry was there.
Fire-bright eyes.
Jaw clenched.
Chest heaving.
Peering at me like I was his salvation and damnation all in one.
Just like he was mine.
I didn’t look away.
I couldn’t.
He was my anchor.My center.My true north.
Our bodies moved together like two puzzle pieces snapping into place.His groan mixed with my cry, my vision blurring as a climax tore through me a second time.Harder.Brighter.Leaving me shaking uncontrollably.He let go at the same time, his body jerking and trembling through his own release.
When he had nothing left, he crushed his lips to mine, breathing into me.And I greedily accepted every last exhale.
After he finally got his breathing under control, he quickly undid my restraints one by one, leaving a tender kiss on each place he’d tied me.
The moment I was free, he gathered me into his arms and held me against his chest.His lips found my forehead, my cheek, my hair.Every kiss was soft, every touch gentle.
It broke me.
Tears spilled hot and sudden down my face, so many emotions overwhelming me at once.
“I’m sorry,” I choked out.“I don’t… I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“Hey.”His voice was low, steady, grounding.He touched my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his.Not letting me hide from him.
“It’s okay.You’ve had to bury your feelings for too damn long.Let them out.If you need to cry, cry.If you need to scream, scream.You’re safe with me.”
I closed my eyes, drawing in a steadying breath.When I returned my gaze to him, I pushed back his tendril of hair that always seemed to spring loose.
“I know I am.”
He kissed me soft and slow, proving he meant every word he said.Then he released me and stood.“Be right back.”
With one last kiss on my temple, he padded into the bathroom, returning a few seconds later to scoop me into his arms and carry me with him.Steam curled from the oversized bathtub as water poured from the spout.
He set me gently on my feet, extending his hand to help me into the tub, but I shook my head.
“I want to see first.”
He scrunched his brows in confusion as I turned toward the full-length mirror.
Mirrors used to be my enemy.
I’d avoided them for years, only studying my reflection when necessary, hating how trapped I was in my own skin.
My body had always felt like a cage.
Now when I looked at myself, I no longer felt trapped.
Where Victor’s mark once stood out stark and cruel, Henry had written something new in bright red wax.
