“Christmas in July.”I clap my hands and usher everyone in.“My very first Christmas!”
Dove waits in the living room, looking freshly fucked in her jean shorts and tee, her feet bare and arms overflowing with things for me.
One look at her and I’m undone.Every scar and quiet place inside me rouse like my body knows she’s the one it’s been waiting for.
“What’s all that?”She nods at the chaos of boxes pouring in.
“I did a little online shopping while you were reading the journals.”
“A little?”
“It’s all for you, my love.”I kiss her mouth.“My dove.”Another kiss.“My beautiful one.”
Her lashes flutter on a breathy exhale.
Watching Dove Rath melt for me?Another favorite.
Carl and Jasper stack the last of the boxes by the couch, nod their goodbyes, and head out.
My family drifts into the living room, making themselves comfortable.Frankie curls up on the couch between Monty and Leo.Kody takes one of the armchairs.
I follow Dove into the kitchen, keeping my back to them as I drag on the jeans she brought for me.
“I thought you might want these, too.”She holds out the journals, her eyes gentle and perceptive in a way I’ve needed my entire life.
“Thank you.”I rest my brow against hers, breathing her in.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier,” she whispers.
“What’s that?”I lower my voice, matching hers.
“You were legendary.”She gestures at the table, the wall, then the floor where we finished, keeping her words low enough for my ears only.“Makes me question your honesty about this inexperience you claimed to have.I mean, up until an hour ago, I thought great sex was a myth.Now I know the real myth isyou.”
“Careful.”My lips twitch.“You might want the myth forever.”
“I do.”Her eyes widen with a flash of worry before she blinks it away and smiles.“Go.Talk to your family.”
With the blanket still draped over my shoulders, I hold the edges together against my chest and walk into the living room where all the people I love most in this world are waiting.
Everyone watches me approach in that Strakh way, attentive and over-protective, waiting for the next emotional grenade to go off.
I pause in front of Frankie and hold out the journals.“Thank you for writing all of that and letting me read it.”
“Sorry I was so pushy about it.”She accepts the books.
“Don’t be.You gave me the guts to write my story.”I gesture at the journal on top.“And to share it with you.All of you.”
Her eyes shine instantly.
“No tears.”I shake a finger at her.“I’m shirtless, and if you cry on me, you’ll be tempted to cop a feel, and your husbands will make it weird.”
Leo throws a pillow at my head.
I dodge it.
Frankie ignores him, her hands trembling around the books.“You’re sure you want us to read it?”
I never told anyone the details of my ten months in Rhett Howell’s cage.Not until Dove.
