I’m defenseless as he carries me to the tub. No strength—no desire to use a single muscle. I’m scared they’ll immediately lock up again if I do and I’m so fucking tired. Aaron keeps me in his arms as he starts the bath, sitting on the edge as it fills beneath us. He looks at me in the meantime, resting a hand on my cheek as he studies my face.
“Benjamin.” He says—so softly—like its scripture.
“Aaron.” I counter, my voice shot to hell and barely audible. He shudders under me.
“Benjamin Archer.” Aaron looks hungry, like he didn’t just destroy my body over and over—like he’ll never get enough. Like he loves me. “I finally have you.”
“You’ve always had me.” He scoffs, shaking his head as he lets a hand swirl in the rising water.
“You were mine, but I didn’t have you.” I flinch—avoiding his eyes and replaying the night of his graduation. Replaying waking up by the pool—pressed against Drew all sweaty and shirtless with Aaron staring brokenly at the ground a few feet away. Every snide comment—every time he saw me walk out the door.
“I didn’t think—”
“I know.” He rubs a hand up my back gently. “But the fact remains. All those years—all of that time watching him touch you—having you look at me with thoseeyesand then walk away. I was in a hell of my own making. But now, now I finally have you. All of those years, all of this pain. I would do it over and over justto be here with you again. You are mine now. An Archer—my husband. I’m so fucking happy I jumped off that bridge.”
I throw my arms around his neck, not caring about my muscles aching anymore. I hold him tightly—I hold him as if I’m afraid he’ll slip away, and maybe I am. I’m so scared of this happiness being taken from me. Being ripped out of my hands after all of this time we’ve spent circling each other.
The bath is ready and Aaron sits in the water—sitting me in front of him to rest my back to his chest. When he wraps me up in his arms there is so much safety—so much warmth I feel like crying.
“I love you.” I tell him instead. “I’ve loved you for so long.” Aaron kisses my temple.
“In sickness and in health.” He jokes—running a soapy rag up my thighs, face shoved into my hair to breathe me in.
The endless cycle, the red thread of fate that ties two souls together. Divine intervention and destiny—it’s all made for us. For this moment—for our love. I would too, Aaron. I would do it again. Over and over.
Till death do us part.
Chapter Forty Nine
May 2024
Aaron
Benjamin does not like our means of travel—this much is true. The honeymoon I planned is right up his alley, but I wanted it to be a surprise. Therefore—he can’t see where we’re going. But getting him to Fiji without him seeing a sign is proving to be very difficult.
“I have to be blindfolded this whole time?” His tone clearly tells me he’s not happy or impressed. “This is my honeymoon too—no?” I laugh, guiding him to sit next to me at the gate for our first flight.
“Sure is. But I have a plan and you not knowing anything is a part of it. Soshh.”
We have to fly to Nadi, Fiji first. Then one short flight to Savusavu Island and a ten-minute drive given by the resort staff and we’re at Savasi Island Resort. If I can keep him from getting too much intel along the way, the location should stay secret—as well as the activities. Fingers crossed.
“Whatever—I want some coffee.” It’s very early and we had a late night. Benjamin is grumpy.
“I’ll get you some, baby. I’m gonna guide you. Also—when we get back you have to wear the noise-cancelling headphones, so you don’t hear them call out the flights.” He groans, one foot stomping on the epoxy. A few passersby turn to stare, but I pay them no mind.
“Stupid.” It’s a mumble, but I hear it anyway.
“Really?” I don’t sound very impressed and I can see it in the way he stands up straight that he knows. “Come.” I grab his hand and pull him to the closest bathroom and into a stall.
“I-Is this the coffee shop?” He knows it’s not.
Benjamin’sfiddling with the hem of his crewneck sweater—shuffling side to side just slightly.
“You’re being a brat.” I tell him and his face flushes. He takes a deep breath.
“I know. But this is so dumb. I feel stupid walking around like this and I’m so curious.” I drag a finger over his bottom lip—feeling the hitch in his breath—the flinch of sudden contact without his sight.
“You’re hurting my feelings, Benjamin. I spent so much time planning this.” I sound like a disappointed father—sighing and shaking my head. He truly is such a fucking brat. Too spoiled, too. Just how I like it.
