“I’d like to wash his touch off me, but I don’t have the energy. Let’s just sleep.”
Instead, he lifted her in his arms and headed to the bathroom. When she started to protest, he set her on the closed toilet seat. “I think we’ll both feel better when we’ve washed away the day.”
Knowing he needed the emotional cleanliness as much as she did helped.
Seth turned on the water and then stripped off his clothes. Despite her exhaustion, she enjoyed the view. The man was gorgeous, and her body reacted with need.
Seth held out his hands to help her stand and then shucked her clothes off her before she could even start. When he tried to lift her into the shower, she waved him off. “I’m just bruised. Lia said I’m okay to stand and walk.”
Inside the shower, the mist surrounded them as she leaned into him. The warmth and safety reached down into her core.
The onslaught of tears surprised her. She hadn’t expected to cry now that she was safe, but the sobs seemed to start in her toes and consume her body.
Seth tightened his grip, and his voice shook with emotion when he spoke. “Let it out, Mara. Let it all out.”
She did. Letting go of the fear and terror.
Seth’s hands coasted over her, offering her comfort, reminding her she was safe and cocooned here with him.
When she managed to stop the sobs, he kept his hands roaming over her skin, reminding her he was there.
“Sorry about that.”
He chuckled into her hair and kissed her forehead. “Nothing to be sorry about. It’s better to let it all out. Keeping it inside lets it fester.”
Which reminded her of Blake. “Do you think he’ll be okay?”
Seth hummed out a noise. “Blake? I think so. Part of me wants him to suffer in jail forever because of what he did to you.”
She looked up and caressed his jaw. “I feel the same. But the other part of me feels so sorry for him.”
Seth sighed and rested his forehead on hers. “Me too. I’m guessing he didn’t have anyone to talk to about his brother. Without a support system, it’s so hard to deal with it all. Shame, guilt, sorrow.”
She nodded. “Maki would be so sad for him.”
Seth brushed his lips over hers. “You’re an amazing woman, Mara. Not many people would be so sympathetic to someone who’d held them hostage.”
She shrugged. “I don’t think he really wanted to hurt either of us. He just didn’t know how to handle all the feelings. I wish I knew a way to help him.”
Seth nodded. “We’ll talk to Marcus tomorrow. Suggest Blake get some therapy, and see what Marcus suggests we can do to help him.”
Her heart grew again. “Good idea. Got any more?”
He frowned at her, and she reached up on her toes to kiss him. “I don’t want to think about it anymore. I want to think about you, and the fact that you love me back.”
His grin was fierce, and a little feral. “I have plenty of ideas about that. I love you, Mara. For now and forever.”
She had to battle back more tears, but these were happy ones as she repeated his words. “For now and forever.”
His eyes flared, and he kissed her with need. So much need. So much want.
Soon they were lost in the passion, in the love that filled them both.
Mara let the fear and sorrow drift away. They’d resurface, but for now, she’d focus on Seth and driving him clear out of his mind.
Chapter 25
If Only You Would Listen
