“You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” she protests, tangling her fingers in the hair at the nape of my neck.
“Maybe, but it’s not any less true,” I say, nuzzling my nose along the column of her neck, over her jaw, and into her nose. I hover over her mouth, staring into her eyes, waiting for the green light to kiss her. She closes the distance, her lips meeting mine, tentatively at first then more firmly. She pulls herself closer into my body, hooking her leg over my hip. I smile slightly, feeling like I’m starting to get my girl back.
“What can I do?” Chase pulls back and wipes my tear-stained cheeks.
“Keep kissing me. I need to feel you.” Wordlessly, he stands from the bed and picks me up in a bridal carry. My arms go around his neck as he carries me across the room.
“Where are we going?”
“I’m going to take care of you.” He kisses my forehead where it rests against his shoulder. Walking into the bathroom, he sets me on the counter and turns to the bathtub, cranking on the hot water. I watch as the tub fills with water, and he dumps in bubble bath and bath salts. When he’s happy with the temperature, he turns off the water and discards his pants and underwear.
Sliding off the counter, I remove my clothes as he scans my body. I feel the warmth of love in his gaze. Admiration. Devotion.
“Come here.” He holds his hand out for me and I take it, the feel of his callused palm against my skin calming me. “You’re so beautiful.” He kisses me slowly, taking his time to explore every corner of my mouth. Pulling him closer, I sink my fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck and try to take it further. To feel every inch of him pressed against me.
“Let’s get you in the tub.”
“Aren’t you joining me?” I need his strength and love wrapped around me.
“Yeah, Princess. I’m getting in too.”
I step into the hot water and sigh as I sit down. It feels heavenly. When he sits behind me and pulls me back to his chest, I close my eyes and revel in the comfort of his embrace.
“Thank you,” I say softly.
“Anything for you.” He presses a light kiss to my neck.
“I’m sorry for picking a fight with you.”
“I know. I’d like to talk about what was really happening whenever you’re ready. You’ve had a rough day, so let me take care of you.”
“I think I’d like to talk about it now if that’s okay.”
“Whatever you need.”
“I’m not sure what exactly Miller told you, but last year I had a scare. There was a lump in my breast and the doctor ordered a diagnostic mammogram. I did the scan, and they said there was nothing to worry about.”
He stays quiet, sensing I need to get this all out at once.
“It was a huge relief, but there’s still this fear associated with it, you know? Like what if they got it wrong? What if it wasn’t the lump I thought I felt? I feel a whole host of anxiety when I think about it. But since I was cleared, I didn’t tell anyone about it. Miller only knows because he found me that day. Just like he found me today. Oh my god.” I start to cry. My poor friend. He’s found me comatose twice now.
“He’s downstairs. He’s okay,” Chase soothes.
“I can’t believe I did that to him again.”
“He’s worried about you, but I promise he’s okay. He’s not going anywhere until he knows you’re okay too.”
“I’m glad he called you.”
“Me too. Keep going, Princess. Get it out.” He massages my shoulders, distracting me with his touch. I focus on it while I share the rest.
“So, my annual gynecology appointment was last week. Leading up to it, I started getting more anxious and not trusting myself when I tried to do my self-exam. I knew the doctor woulddo another breast exam while I was there, but all of the sudden the past couple weeks the worry creeped in.”
“When was your appointment?”
“The day after Bark in the Park.”
“When Taylor came over? She said you weren’t acting yourself that day. Then that night you were really quiet.”
