“What’s the last thing you remember?”
She purses her lips. “Being held at a knife point, then Freya saying she’ll kill us all.”
“It was a sleeping gas,” I sigh, relief written all over me. “She knew it wouldn’t affect me since I had the protective gear on. But what in the world happened to her botanic garden?”
“Alright, when Aria and I heard of the shooting, we started fighting the men off. She was the first one to hear Freya’s screams, and by the time we got there, her eye was already gone. Between us getting there and you arriving, it couldn’t have been more than five minutes. As for her garden, Aria decided to switch the base because it’s been compromised by the mole. Freya got a head start and spent two whole days without sleeping, transporting all of her herbs and flowers and whatnot. It’s safe somewhere else.”
“That’s good,” I nod. “But seriously, are you hurt anywhere?”
Blair ponders on the question, then shakes her head. “Listen, Arlo…”
Immediately, I don’t like the tone of her voice. It’s the serious one she uses whenever there’s something important to discuss.
However, today, I want it to be just about us. I’ve missed her scent, her voice, her entire being. I’d be happy with just spending hours to no end in her presence, without a word being spoken. My hands twitch, the desire to hold her closely to myself slowly starting to stir inside me.
“Blair,” I clear my throat. “Tomorrow. You and I both know that what will happen in the next few weeks, or months, will be hella hard. I need you right now. I need to just be with you. Please.”
Blair’s gaze softens, and she buries her head in my chest. I pull her down to lie on top of me, holding her tightly to my body. I’m fucking terrified she’ll disappear. I’m scared someone will hurt her again, and I won’t be able to prevent it.
The smell of her shampoo hits my nose, and I close my eyes for a moment. She doesn’t speak, but the way her hands clutch my shirt, holding onto me so dearly, makes my heart skip a beat.
“Arlo,” she whispers. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too, butterfly.” I kiss the top of her head. “More than you’ll ever know.”
She sighs, the soft tune sliding past her lips with ease. Her body starts relaxing against mine, and nothing but the sound of our heartbeat could be heard in the room. I’ll never stop loving the way she just fits perfectly against me. There’s a reason she’s my heaven, why she’s all I’ve ever wanted, needed, and more.
Slowly, Blair lifts her head up, propping her chin on my chest. She’s looking at me through her thick lashes, the small freckles on her face close to the point I could count them all if I wanted — and I did. She has fifty-eight in total.
“How was the rehab?”
I chuckle. “Don’t worry about it.”
A frown etches on her face. “How could I not worry, Arlo?”
“It was fine. The first few days without alcohol were brutal. The following week was even worse, if possible, because it was all evaporating from my body. And the fact that my hands were shaking uncontrollably didn’t help.”
“Did you get the tremor under control?”
I nod. “Don’t worry.”
“Please, don’t drink again.”
“I won’t,” I promise. “And if I do, it will be in moderation. I won’t allow myself to be like that again. I won’t let you see me like that again.”
Blair offers me a small smile, a sincere one that I’ve been missing. It’s such a heartwarming sight, my hands squeezing around her body a little tighter. The fact that she’s comfortable around me, that she’s always allowing me to keep her near is one of the best privileges I have.
“Butterfly,” I mutter, brushing a hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. “You’re beautiful.”
Her face splits into a wide grin. “You’re the beautiful one, Arlo. You look like you came straight out of those webcomics.’’
My cheeks heat up at the compliment, and I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure. Blair notices the flush on my face, smirking and poking my cheek with her index finger.
“Aw, did my baby get shy?”
My heart stutters at the term of endearment. My palms grow hotter, my entire body set ablaze by a mere word. I swallow thickly, the desire building inside of me at a rapid speed.
Blair quirks an amused brow, leaning in. Her breath fans over my lips, her eyes never leaving mine. “You like it.”
