“I’m sorry it’s so late.”
I put a gentle hand on her arm and lead her into the living room and over to the couch. “I’m glad you’re here. What’s happened? Is Annabelle okay?”
The long sigh that comes out of her mouth makes my heart ache.
“The doctors gave her some new drugs to prepare for the treatment,” Amelia says. “They’ve made her pretty lethargic. I was worried she was sleeping too much and had to wait for the doctor to come and see me, but they’re confident she’s alright. I’m going to go back first thing and check on her. She’s sleeping now, but she hates being alone in the hospital.”
“Alright, I’m so glad she’s doing okay. Melvin can drive you there in the morning if you want. But it’s up to you…” I take a deep breath. “What do you need? Have you eaten?”
She nods. “I had a baguette from the canteen at the hospital. I just wanted to get here tonight so we could talk.” My chest tightens. “But I’m so tired, I’m not sure I would make much sense, right now.”
I take her hand. “Can I say something, then? I’ll try to be brief.”
She frowns at me, her thumb smoothing over the back of my hand. “Of course.”
“Since I left your parents’ house yesterday, I’ve been thinking a lot about our time together. All I wanted to say is that from now on, I’m going to stop dictating everything. This, you and me, needs to be your choice. Whatever you decide, I’ll respect it.”
I squeeze her hand. “And you should stay here tonight. I have a lot of guest rooms, and you can get some real rest without me disturbing you. In the morning, you can be with your sister, and if you need more time to decide about you and me, that’s okay. I can wait.”
She glances at me, a frown marring her beautiful face, and she nods. “Yeah. Maybe sleep would be best right now.”
Unsure how to interpret the sad little downturn of her lips, I simply interlace our fingers, stand up, and lead her down the hall to one of the guest rooms I rarely use. She walks inside, looking around, and my heart aches at how much I want to pull her into my arms and never let go.
Give her time, Lucas. That’s the least you can do.
“Would you like anything else? I could make you an herbal tea?” I offer.
She shrugs one shoulder. “I might take a shower, if that’s alright.”
“Of course. There’s a bathroom right down the hall.”
She nods, clutching the towel to her like a lifeline, and then walks past me and up the hallway. At the door to the shower, she turns, her eyes locking with mine, and there’s such heat in them I catch my breath.
“Are you coming or not?” she asks with a little smile.
I stare at her, desire pulsing through me, before I march up the hallway, lift her off her feet, and spin her around, kissing her deeply as she gives a wonderful little giggle of surprise.
I pull back, lowering her to her feet, and she smiles up at me contentedly. “We should talk,” I say grimly, Ambrose’s advice storming back into my mind even as my hands brush over her waist.
“I know,” she says. “But not right now.”
“What do you want?” I ask, lowering myself so my eyes are at her level. “Whatever you want, we’ll do that.”
“I just want you,” she says softly. “The logistics can wait.”
I tug her against me, wrapping my arms around her briefly, before pulling her gently into the bathroom. I can see by the way she’s moving that she’s exhausted, and after I have turned on the water, and steam is slowly rising behind her, I lay a hand on her shoulder.
“May I undress you?”
She rolls her eyes. “You’ve seen me naked dozens of times.”
“Well, this time it’s different. I’m going to worship you like I should have right from the beginning.”
The contented smile on her face is beautiful, and she leans into me as I begin to undress her. Amelia is languid in my arms,and I keep my movements slow, ensuring she can stop me at any time.
Once we’re in the shower under the hot spray, I lather her body with soap, relishing the feel of her skin.
She leans against me heavily to begin with, her eyes closed, and I wash her hair, enjoying the moan she lets out as I massage her head.
