We lie tangled together, heartbeats slowing in sync, until I feel her shift beneath me. Reluctantly, I pull out, both of us gasping at the sensation.
"Don't move," I tell her, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before slipping from the bed.
I check on Poppy first, still sound asleep, oblivious to the world, then head to the bathroom to wet a washcloth with warm water.
When I return, Sadie is watching me with heavy-lidded eyes, a soft smile playing at her lips. I clean her gently, my touch soft as I care for her body.
"Let me take care of you," I whisper, setting the washcloth aside. "A hot bath will help with the tension."
She looks up at me with those eyes that still show traces of earlier fear, now softened with love and exhaustion. "That sounds wonderful."
I help her from the bed, supporting her when her legs tremble. She leans against me as I lead her to the bathroom, both of us pausing to check on Poppy one more time. The baby sleeps peacefully, one tiny fist curled against her cheek.
The hotel bathroom is spacious, with a deep soaking tub that I fill with steaming water. I add the complimentary bath salts, watching as they dissolve into swirls of lavender-scented foam.
"In you go," I murmur, steadying Sadie as she steps into the water. She sighs as she sinks down, her eyes closing as the heat envelops her.
"Join me?" she asks, looking up through half-lidded eyes.
I don't need to be asked twice. I slide in behind her, pulling her back against my chest. Her body melts into mine, head resting on my shoulder as the water laps around us.
"I still can't believe it's over," she whispers, her voice echoing slightly in the tiled space.
"Believe it," I tell her, pressing a kiss to her damp temple. "You're free."
I reach for the hotel shampoo, pouring some into my palm before working it through her hair. My fingers massage her scalp, drawing a moan from deep in her throat that's pure pleasure, not desire. This isn't about sex, it's about care, about comfort, about showing her with every touch that she's safe.
"That feels amazing," she murmurs as I rinse the suds away.
"You deserve to be taken care of," I tell her, reaching for the conditioner next.
I wash every inch of her with adoring hands, her shoulders, her back, her arms. She lets me, surrendering completely to my ministrations in a way that speaks of absolute trust. When I'm finished, we simply sit in the cooling water, her back against my chest, my arms wrapped around her middle.
"We should get out before we turn into prunes," I finally say, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.
She nods sleepily, allowing me to help her from the tub. I wrap her in one of the plush hotel towels, drying her with careful attention before doing the same for myself.
Back in the bedroom, I find the lotion in her toiletry bag, the same coconut scent I've come to associate with her. Starting with her feet, I work the lotion into her skin, massaging away the last of the tension that's kept her muscles rigid for so long.
"You're good at this," she says as I work up her calves to her thighs.
"I'm good at taking care of what matters to me," I reply, my hands gentle but thorough.
By the time I reach her shoulders, she's practically boneless beneath my touch, her eyes heavy with approaching sleep. I help her into one of my t-shirts, the fabric engulfing hersmaller frame in a way that makes my heart clench with fierce protectiveness.
I check on Poppy one more time, adjusting her blanket and making sure the baby monitor is on before sliding into bed beside Sadie. She immediately curls into me, her head finding its place on my chest as if designed to fit there.
"Thank you," she murmurs against my skin, her voice thick with approaching sleep.
"For what?" I ask, running my fingers through her damp hair.
"For seeing me," she says simply. "The real me. Not just the scared, broken parts."
I tilt her face up to mine, needing her to see the truth in my eyes. "You're not broken, Sadie. Wounded, maybe. Healing, definitely. But never broken."
She smiles, a soft, vulnerable curve of her lips that makes me pull her tighter against me. I kiss her gently, pouring all my love into the connection.
"Sleep now," I whisper against her mouth. "I'll be right here when you wake up."
