Page 113 of Avenging Azalea

Titus cupped the side of my face, thumb brushing over my lips like he was memorizing the feel.

“Hope. That’s what you are to me.”

Tears stung my eyes, and as I blinked, a single tear trickled down my cheek.

“You didn’t just crawl under my skin…you rebuilt me from the inside out. And I’ll give you every broken piece I have if it means I can keep you.”

My breath hitched as I pushed myself up just enough so that my lips hovered over his.

“I love you, Titus. I always have.”

He smiled before he kissed me slowly, like he was worshiping my lips. It wasn’t rushed or rough, but full of meaning, like he was trying to convey the depth of his feelings with the simple touch. And I felt everything. Every unsaid word, every scar, and surrender between us. If this was all we ever had, this one kiss of longing and love, then I would carry the moment like a prayer whispered into my chest, loving him quietly for the rest of my life.

Chapter

Thirty-Six

FAWN

Last night had been beyond incredible. It was out of this world. Every time I’d woken up, I was reminded that I was in Titus’s bed. His arms around me all night felt like I was living a page ripped out of the best romance novel ever written.

There was no wiping the smile off my face, even though my body ached all over. Every muscle screamed with the lactic acid buildup, and I was thankful that I didn’t have work until tomorrow. The limping would be hard to explain and not something that I wanted to discuss with Matt.

Shit, that reminded me, I was going to have to talk to him about his dinner invitation. I could already hear Steph as if she was in the room, telling me to go and make sure I’d weighed all my options thoroughly. But what I said to Titus was the truth. I loved him. I’d always loved him, and that wasn’t going to change. Leading Matt on by going out on a date wasn’t me.

Leaning my head back, I let the hot spray of the shower soothe the stiffness. It didn’t matter how sore I was, though, if Titus walked in here right now, I’d be up for another round. Just the thought made my legs clench with the visceral imagery that danced behind my closed eyes.

Turning off the water before I turned into a prune, I squeezed the excess from my hair before grabbing a towel to twist it up, and then another for my body. Titus’s shower was massive. Then again, it needed to be for someone of his size without constantly bumping into glass or elbowing the tiled wall. What I really loved was the bench that ran along one end and wrapped around the corner so I could sit and shave my legs without being a contortionist.

When I stepped out into Titus’s bedroom, the smile that had been on my face all morning widened further. A silver dome sat on the small tea table that overlooked the gardens. Sneaky.

Walking over, I picked up a folded piece of paper.

Little Bird,

I would’ve stayed in bed with you all day. Unfortunately, I had an early conference call. To make up for not being there when you woke up, I made you your favorite.

Love, Titus

I squealed, not caring how ridiculous it was to be this excited over a little note. It wasn’t a dream. Titus loved me, his wedding was off, and we had a chance at a future together. It was like the stars had finally heard me, and for once, they answered.

Lifting the lid, the scent hit me first…warm, sweet, and made just for me. My stomach growled as I smiled down at the spread. Titus made me a strawberry milkshake. My favorite. I picked it up and took a slow sip, moaning as the taste touched my tongue. It wasn’t quite as perfect as one of his hugs, but it came close.

Food, especially milkshakes, was how we communicated. Unnamed, unspoken…but the meaning was always understood.

I set the milkshake down and stared at the stack of golden pancakes, topped with fresh fruit and a cloud of homemade whipped cream. Of course, he had. Titus always went above and beyond.

I dipped a finger into the sweet white topping and licked it clean. Maybe…just maybe, Titus would let me smear it on him. A mischievousness had come alive inside of me. Titus might believe he’d only rescued a broken girl from abuse and poverty. In reality, what he had done was heal the cracks and then awaken the woman waiting to be released.

I no longer trembled like a startled bird. I didn’t flinch at every shadow or glance over my shoulder whenever I walked anywhere without the dogs.

Because of him, I’d learned to live like I wasn’t always expecting pain.

I changed quickly and sat down to eat while the breakfast was still warm. Outside, the world looked almost magical. Sunlight spilled across the lawn, and the birds chirped like they were part of a soundtrack.

It felt like something out of a fairy tale. Like I was suddenly Cinderella, sitting in her room watching the little animals dance around her. Only my Prince Charming had already come and rescued me. But even Cinderella didn’t have to deal with someone like Neil. I would take the wicked stepmother over my stepfather any day.

I set the fork aside, and before I realized it, a single tear slipped down my cheek. I wiped it away, embarrassed, even now while I was alone.