It doesn’t take long before she’s back, and I’m able to finish taking off her robe. I can’t help but trail soft kisses along her shoulder before removing my own. I gently pick her up and set her into the tub, then climb in behind her, pulling her back flush to my chest. Her bare skin feels so good against mine.
I’m no stranger to aftercare, but holding her like this feels…different.It’s so much more than anything I’ve shared before. In the past, it was just about safely coming back down from the scene, but this is a true connection.
I would normally bathe her after something like that, but she’s already showered and washed her hair. Instead, I just hold her against me, rubbing soft circles on her waist where my hands rest. “Thank you,” I whisper, giving her a little squeeze. “Your trust in me today means more than you know.”
She lays her head back on my shoulder and turns to look at me. “I do trust you, Sasha.”
Fuck, she makes it sound so easy to put your trust in someone. Something I’ve never mastered. Other than my dad and sister, I can’t say there’s anyone I trust. Not implicitly.
She’s smiling so sweetly at me, and I could almost forget about my family’s background as I look into her eyes. I could lose myself in this moment forever. Slowly bridging the gap betweenus, I gently kiss her lips. It takes so much within me to eventually break from her, but I know if I don’t, I’ll want more than she can give right now.
Pulling away, I kiss her temple, then rest my head on hers. “Just relax.”
It doesn’t take long until she’s sound asleep. I wait until the water cools, then carefully maneuver us to bed, drying us both before joining her cuddled under the sheets. I don’t even bother going back to drain the tub. I can’t leave her. I need this connection just as badly as she does.
Our bodies melt together as I pull her into me. With one last kiss to her head, I nuzzle into her neck and drift off into the night with a sense of peace I’ve only ever found in her arms.
Chapter fourteen
The peaceful sound of rain against the window wakes me, and this is the first morning in the past week I haven’t woken up cocooned in Sasha’s arms. The cool air chills me, and the lack of his solid warmth in bed beside me sends a shiver down my spine. It feels…strange without him. A glance at my phone tells me it’s way later than I would typically get up, but that’s probably due to the gloomy weather outside. I’ve enjoyed the lazy, rainy spring mornings cuddled up with Sasha, but without him, it just makes me feel dreary.
Sighing, I will myself to get up and sleepily go through all the motions of my morning routine before soldiering into the kitchen for my morning caffeine fix. I’ve become quite the addict since Sasha installed the espresso machine, but I’ve yet to fix my own cup. I’m contemplating whether it’s worth it to try to figure out this monstrosity when I see a note on the counter.
Chuckling, I turn to see that he really does have everything ready for me. I press the green button, then watch in relief as the coffee and milk pour into my cup. With a smile on my face for the first time today, I take a selfie with my cup and send it to Sasha. I’m not expecting a reply so soon, but my phone dings almost immediately.
Sasha:
Beautiful! That’s my girl
Sasha:
Wait, we still have a house, yes?
Me:
Yes we still have a house *eye-roll emoji*
Me:
Thank you for setting everything up for me
Sasha:
It’s the least I could do. I forgot about my plans with Ledger today until my alarm went off this morning. You slept right through it, by the way. Anyway, I’ll be back later tonight
Me:
I appreciate the heads-up
Sasha:
I really am sorry for the late notice
Me:
Sasha, it’s fine. I promise:) It’s the perfect weather to catch up on some reading
Sasha:
