After an hour, unable to sleep in what had quickly become an unfamiliar bed, I thought better of my decision. Cal wanted me closer in every sense of the word. Even if he was angry with me, I’d give him that.
I wished I could make him understand the level of trust that required.
I padded down the hall back to the master. I slipped between the sheets, immediately comforted by the smell of Cal on them—the smell of us.
When the door clicked open an indeterminate amount of time later, my eyes snapped open, sleep immediately forgotten. I kept my back to him as I listened to the sound of his jeans dropping to the floor, of the soft whoosh of fabric as he pulled off his shirt.
He slid in between the sheets and immediately pulled me close.
My whole body sagged with relief.
His warm, strong body spooned mine and I wiggled to get closer. The silence stretched between us while I worked to organize the thoughts that had been swirling in my head since he’d left.
My throat felt suddenly dry. “I know you’re angry with me and I’m still here,” I murmured. “I’m not afraid of you. I still want to be close to you. I know I have a long way to go, but that’s progress,” I murmured into the dark room. “For me, that’s progress.”
He was quiet, waiting for me to continue, knowing I wasn’t done. He did that a lot and instead of rattling me it soothed me. I knew he’d wait while I formulated my next thought. What I shared was on my terms and in my own time.
“I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone. You have a piece of me no one ever has. It will get bigger and bigger over time. In the meantime, that piece? You helped build it. It’s yours and mine—no one else can ever touch it,” I explained, hoping like hell he understood.
He pulled me closer as his lips found the shell of my ear. “I get that you trust me more than anyone, darlin’. I don’t doubt it. We’ll work on getting you to trust me completely. And… I’ll work on my patience.”
My body quivered as his tongue touched my neck.
His lips remained a breath from my neck as he spoke. “You’re still that puzzle that I can’t wait to put together, but I get it—one piece at a time.”
He understood. My eyes burned with emotion at the realization.
His hand grasped my hip as he pressed into me from behind. “I wasn’t sure you’d be in our bed. I get that was big for you. Gonna show you my appreciation,” he murmured as his fingers dipped low.
Apparently he was reallyreallygrateful, and in the end so was I.
Chapter 21
“You are being insane!” Connie shrieked as she stalked into the club the next day, Wes hot on her heels.
Kat and I shot each other wary looks.
“I’m not being insane,” he growled as he stalked after his wife.
Attitude seemed to be part of the DNA of all the Knights’ women. I realized with a jolt that I fit that mold as well.
“You are!” she exclaimed, her bright blue eyes landing on me. “Jill, please tell my insane husband that it’s okay for me to go surfing! We’re visiting my family in Cali and I’ve missed the ocean like you wouldn’t believe,” she pleaded.
I inwardly winced. I hated not to take my girl’s side, but on this she wouldn’t like my answer.
“Shit!” she groaned when she saw my expression.
“Sorry, Con,” I apologized. “I’d worry too much about you falling the wrong way or having to hold your breath for too long under water. Especially since it’s been a while since you surfed—it’s just really not a good idea.”
Her shoulders drooped but she seemed to calm some. “Fine.”
Wes looked at her with exasperation. “Why the hell do you listen to her and not me?” he demanded.
“Because she’s a nurse and she’s not my crazy, over the top protective husband who worries about me taking a shower!”
He glowered at her. “It was slippery!”
I looked at Kat as we both desperately tried not to laugh. She cocked her head toward the back and I nodded, following her so we could give them some privacy. I was sure they’d be making out somewhere in no time.
