I confess, “That need for more tipped my rationality over. I knew in that moment I’d do anything to be with you. It has come to a point where if I go another day without us being together, I’ll succumb to distress.”
He exhales a deep breath ringing of relief before he dips his head for a kiss. “Let’s get in the tub.”
He takes my hand, and I love how he seems incapable of not touching me. We have a lot of time to make up for.
Inside the bathroom, he turns on the faucet. As the water fills the tub, I add bath oil, and bubbles create scented clouds on the surface.
He gets in first and helps me in.
The warm water soothes my soreness, and the bubbles caress along my back, floating around like candy cones.
My cheek rests on his chest, and he trails his hand lazily over my side.
In his arms, the world around me disappears while he creates a new one for me from scratch—laying a foundation of love with bricks made of dreams.
“Lilly, promise me something right here and now. I can’t go back to how things were.”
I turn in his arms, placing my chin on my crossed hands over his chest. A pensive look shadows his features.
I feel panic bubbling inside of me. “Something happened yesterday, right?”
He nods, sighing as he takes a loofah and washes my back.
“Tell me.”
“First, promise me.”
The fear of losing me is clear in his clipped tone. That would be impossible. I am his.
“I promise,” I say, kissing his chest.
He drags a hand through his hair. “I’m benched for a game.”
The words boom down on me like thunder, stirring a storm to ravage my insides.
I dart to scoot up when he keeps me there.
Gulping, I glance at him. “Because of what happened in front of the club, right?”
“Yes. The videos got posted and…”
Guilt cramps my throat, making it hard to form words. “I’m sorry. It was my fault.”
The corners of his eyes crinkle. “No, it was the fault of that fucking dick.”
“Ian.”
He squeezes his eyes shut, shaking his head. “Don’t say it. Please don’t say it.”
His plea undoes me.
That’s why he insisted. I drag a lungful of air and palm his face.
“This is not the first time I’ve gotten you into trouble.” The knowledge twists my heart, hating to cause him any harm.
His midnight blue eyes harden. “Not true. My personal life should be mine and my actions are on me. I should have calmed down and listened to you. Actually, the only reason I didn’t beat him up was because of you. So, you see, not your fault.”
I hold on to his words instead of freaking out and going to that place where doubts nag at me, stealing every bit of serenity.
