He continued to murmur praises while I worked through the aftermath of my release. Eventually, I calmed, my tears drying, and I shifted to look up at him.
“I’m so sorry.”
Lane shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. That had to be a lot for you.”
It was, and I hadn’t really realized it would be until it was over.
But I’d done it. With Lane’s help, I’d reclaimed that piece of me that had been stolen all those years ago. The tears—they’d been for the girl who’d lost something that night, and everyversion of her I’d been in the time since, constantly searching for ways to reclaim it.
I loved Lane for a number of reasons, but him giving me this catapulted to the top of the list. I wanted to tell him so badly, but I couldn’t make my mouth form the words.
One day, I thought. One day I’d be able to say it. For now I’d have to content myself with clinging to him tightly and making himfeelit.
twenty-nine
. . .
LANE
With Sutton sprawledon top of me, I shifted slightly, only so I could pull my softening cock out of her heat, but I never let go of her. After her crying jag, I was reluctant to let her go. Really, I just wanted to hold her, to bask in this connection we’d gone so long without. I pressed endless kisses to her hair and forehead, rubbing soothing circles up and down her spine.
“I have an idea,” I said.
“Hmm?” she replied, sounding half asleep.
“How about I run a bath? We can get cleaned up and take a moment to relax before bed.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“Okay, be right back,” I said, starting to roll her off me, but she only gripped me tighter, snaking her hands behind my neck.
“No!” she protested. “Don’t let me go.”
I chuckled but indulged her, sitting us both up and swinging my legs over the side of the bed, then walking us into the bathroom. With one arm under her ass to support her, I used my free hand to turn on the taps of my giant soaking tub, testing the water to find the perfect temp before plugging the drain. I evenadded some lavender and eucalyptus bubble bath, hoping the scents would soothe Sutton.
“You okay?” I murmured while we waited for the tub to fill.
Sutton pulled back to look at me. “Yeah,” she said. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, skin splotchy. She was still the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. “That was just…a lot.”
Reaching up, I brushed an errant tear off her cheek, hand lingering to cup her face.
“I’m so proud of you.”
Sutton’s cheeks instantly pinkened. “You’re just saying that because you got off.”
“No, sunny,” I said, shifting my hand to clasp her chin, holding her in place so her gaze remained on me. “I’m proud of you because you’re strong as hell. I’ve always known it, and now you know it too.”
For a moment, she simply stared at me, but then she nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For giving me that.”
“I’d give you anything, Sutton. All you have to do is ask.”
Her answering smile was the sweetest damn thing I’d ever seen, like the sun peeking out after days of rain. I couldn’t help but lean in and kiss her slowly, gently. After the physical and mental strain she’d put herself through, neither of us had any desire to escalate it beyond that. Being with her like this was exactly what I needed, anyway. We spent so many years apart that having her back in my arms was a bit surreal, and I clung as tightly to her as her arms wrapped around me, afraid if I let her go for even a moment, she’d disappear—or that I’d wake up from this dream.
It had already happened once before.
With the tub full, I climbed in and settled us into the water, shifting Sutton around so her back was to my front, her hips nestled between my thighs.
I hadn’t realized how much tension she still carried in her shoulders until it slowly bled from her body in the combined hot water and soothing aromas.
