“I’m proud of you,” she says.
I lean forward and press another kiss to her mouth. Softer now. Slower. I need her so bad it’s unbelievable.
“Eat my pussy,” I mumble against her lips, not bothering to hide my neediness. She grins widely, also not bothering to object, and gets on her knees immediately. She pulls my scrub pants down and immediately dives into my pussy. I throw my head back and try to stifle my moans, and it rattles my entire body. I love being loud, but I can’t risk it.
“Just like that.” I move my hands to the back of her head and fuck her face. I grind into her and feel her sucking on my clit harder. I have to bite down on my tongue to stop from moaning.
“I know baby, i know,” she mumbles in my pussy, and the vibration makes my clit throb, and I clench around her. The exhaustion stops me from edging, and I cum all around her mouth as hard as I can, covering my mouth with my hand.
“Better?” she asks with a smile, wiping her mouth.
“Much better, baby. Thank you.” I sigh out in relief, and she puts my pants back on for me, pecking my lips sweetly.
Eventually we separate, even though neither of us wants to. My hands slide reluctantly from her waist. Her fingers trail down my arms as she steps back. The air between us feels colder already. She reaches up one last time and smooths my collar properly.
“Call me when you’re done?”
“I will.” I smile
She leans in and presses one final kiss to my mouth. Gentle. Almost careful. Then she slips out first as to not cause suspicion.
The door opens and closes quietly behind her. For a second I just stand there alone in the small room, staring at the door she disappeared through. My heart is still racing but my head feels clearer. Like someone has wiped fog from a mirror.
When I step back onto the ward, it is like walking into a different world again. The bleeps start almost immediately. Someone calls my name from the other end of the corridor. A trolley rattles past.
Nothing has changed.
The noise returns. The fluorescent lights hum. The work waits. But my shoulders are straighter. When someone makes another comment about how lucky I am, I just smile to myself and adjust my gloves.
They have no idea how lucky I really am.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Proposal
JULIETTE
The second morning in Florence, I wake up before her and immediately feel sick. Not ill. Not exactly. Just that tight, electric nausea that sits right under your ribs when you know you are about to change your entire life.
Adaline is still asleep beside me, one arm half across my waist, her face turned into the pillow like she fell asleep mid-thought. The curtains are barely drawn and pale gold light spills across her shoulders. Florence is already awake outside. I can hear the low hum of voices drifting up from the street, the distant whine of a scooter, the clatter of plates from a café below.
We have been here two days. Two days of walking until our feet hurt, of sharing pastries and arguing over which painting we liked best, of kissing in narrow alleyways like we are reckless andtwenty again. Two days of her looking lighter. Two days of me carrying a secret so heavy I barely sleep.
The ring is in my bag. I bought it the first month we started dating. I glance toward the chair where it hangs, folded neatly like it is not holding the most important thing I have ever bought. My heart starts racing again. This is it. Today.
She shifts slightly and tightens her arm around me. “Why are you awake?” she mumbles, voice rough with sleep.
Because I am about to ask you to marry me. Because I have rehearsed this speech in my head so many times it has lost all structure. Because I am terrified you will see how much I need you and realise it is too much.
“Because you kick,” I say instead.
She huffs softly, not even denying it, and finally opens her eyes. They are still heavy, lashes tangled, but when they focus on me they soften immediately.
God.
I almost do it right there. Almost ruin every careful plan and blurt it out in a crumpled hotel bed with yesterday’s clothes on the floor. She is so unbelievably beautiful, radiant in a way I couldn’t even describe.
“Today,” I say, forcing my voice to sound normal, “I have a surprise for you.”
