Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I calm my anger at the injustices my woman has faced. She's been struggling for so long. Though I can't fix everything, I still feel a sense of responsibility. I should have pushed her harder to open up. If I had, she could have been happier a long time ago.
"Jamie." I jump and glance over at Violet, who's glaring out the windshield. "Why am I looking atyourapartment and not mine?"
Willing my heart to slow down, I take another breath. Jesus, I'm on edge. "You're spending the night with me, my love."
I feelher glare move from the building to the side of my face. "I think the proper thing to do isask."
"Sheesh, you woke up grumpy." Maybe I should bite my tongue, but the fastest way to get Violet on board is to push her all the way so we get the fight out of her system.
"Jamie freaking Murphy," she growls, slapping my arm as I pull into a parking spot.
Turning to her with the car in park, I give her my full attention. "Yes, my love?"
Her eyes narrow, and her seatbelt stays firmly locked in position. She's not going to leave the car unless I convince her it's okay for me to take care of her. Jaw clenching, brain working overtime, I know I need to jump in before she hurts herself trying to come up with an excuse for me to bring her home.
"Violet," I murmur, reaching forward to tuck my hand around her neck. My thumb rubs softly along her jaw, and slowly but surely, she melts. "I need you with me, please. You may not need me right now, but I'm fucking shaking with the need to take care of you. Please?"
Her eyes soften so fast the breath gets stolen from my lungs. I'm proud as hell of myself and her when I don't detect defeat in her posture, just pure sleepiness and submission.
"Okay," she whispers and leans her head into my palm. "Just tonight, though."
I snort quietly and unclip her buckle with my other hand. "We'll see."
Self-control is bullshit. Honestly, I wish it didn't fucking exist or wasn't required in many situations. Like right now, my woman is getting ready for bed with the fucking bathroom door closed. That shit should be open, and I should be helping her.
Instead, I'm sitting here like a dumbass waiting for Violet to shuffle her way back to me. Christ, she shouldn't be straining her ankle so much. Logically, I know it's mostly healed, but I want her on my bed, under my blankets. Warm, happy, safe, and healing.
Just as I'm about to say fuck it and bust the door down, Violet swings the bathroom door open with purpose. She doesn't move from the doorway. Cocking her hip, she crosses her arms and stares me down.
I'll admit, worry fills me, but I play off the feeling by leaning back on my elbows with my thighs spread. Only in a pair of looseboxers and flexing my abs, I hope I'll get out of whatever is about to happen.
While her eyes do heat and she licks her plump lips, she stomps her foot a little. Her bad one.
"Be careful," I snap, sitting back up, ready to snatch her and tuck her in with a pack of ice for her ankle or some shit.
She ignores my demand and glares at me. "Why is there an extra toothbrush by yours?"
"It's yours," I reply without skipping a beat.
Violet shakes her head. "It's not. Whose is it?"
I know what she's thinking, and it hurts my heart to see her so vulnerable right now. "The only reason you think it isn't yours is because the bristles aren't smushed to shit. It's new. I put it there foryouso maybe you'd get the hint that I want you here long enough to brush your teeth every day."
Her sassy hips shift until she's standing straight before her arms fall to her side. "Oh..." she murmurs, a blush rising on her cheeks.
Unable to help myself, I glance down to see the blush dipping between her breasts. In a tight little tank top and cotton purple panties, Violet looks like she needs some direction.
"Come here, love." Beckoning her to me, I hold out my hand and spread my thighs so she can step between them. She only hesitates for a second before pressing herself against me. "And up," I rumble, guiding her legs to straddle me.
She does so willingly. The openness of her legs and facial expression make my dick hard and my heart pound. "You bought me a toothbrush for your bathroom," she mutters, sounding like she's still trying to figure me out.
"I did," I say and press a gentle kiss above her left breast. Right where her beautiful heart beats.
"And...you love me." Her long eyelashes cradle the tears she's trying to hold in. I hear her words and understand them for what they are.
My sweet girl needs some reassurance. "And I love you," I confirm with a kiss on the front of her throat. She trembles slightly and gives me more of her weight.
"I love you too," she whimpers and to my delight, starts swiveling her hips.
