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I nod. “Thank you for this.”
“One day you’re going to stop thanking me, and I know when that time comes it’s because you’ll finally understand that my friendship comes without expectations or requirements.”
“Thank–” I cut myself off, giving her a wavering smile. “I appreciate you. If there’s ever a time you need to talk about anything, I’ll be here for you too.”
“I know.” She grins, releasing me from her hold. “Now, you go back upstairs. Get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day…” Her voice trails off as she tips her head to the side. “We could have a girls’ day. Go for lunch at the hotel, maybe a spa treatment, on Dalton of course,” she winks.
“Why on Dalton?”
She frowns. “He owes me for being a dick.”
“How so?”
Daisy waves her hand. “It’s too late to go into it today, but if you want to hear all the details, then spend time with me tomorrow and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“I’d like that very much.”
“Good. Now, I’m going back to bed. See you in the morning, Lia.”
“See you then, Daisy,” I reply.
By the time I head back upstairs, the bedding has been changed, Toby is tucked into bed, and Drix is lying on his side, curled around him, stroking his hair.
“Is he okay?” I ask softly, and Drix lifts a finger to his lips.
“He’s just fine, Lia,” he whispers.
Placing the glass of water on the bedside cabinet, I watch Drix lean over and press a tender kiss against Toby’s temple. That simple act of affection has my heart bursting with gratitude, and as he pushes off the bed, he opens his arms to me. I don’t hesitate, walking straight into them.
“That was awful,” I whisper, my arms circling his back as he hauls me close, pressing soft kisses against the top of my head.
“He’s going to be okay,” Drix quietly says. “You’re going to be okay, Lia.”
Pressing my eyes shut, I nod, feeling so much comfort from the strength of his arms, from his words, his actions. Everything about him makes me feel as safe as Daisy promised he’d make me feel.
“We’ll talk in the morning. It’s been a long night. Sleep, okay?” he requests, drawing back.
I reach for him, my hands cupping his face. There are no words I’m able to say to express everything this man makes me feel, so all I can do is rise up on to my toes and press a heartfelt kiss against his lips.
It’s tender, lingering, and probably the most beautiful kiss I’ve ever experienced.
And it’s over way too soon.
“Goodnight, Lia,” Drix says, taking my wrists in his hands and stepping back.
“Goodnight, Drix,” I reply, watching him leave.
Stripping out of my clothes and putting on my pyjamas, I lay down next to Toby, one hand on his hip as I stare up at the ceiling. I lay there like that for what seems like hours thinking over all that we’ve been through. I think about the woman I was before Martin, the hollowed out version I was whilst I was with him, and the woman I’m slowly becoming now. I think about how much upheaval Toby has had in his short life and how, from tomorrow things are going to be different.
Eventually, after I’m positive Toby won’t wake up again, I slip out of the bedroom and take the first step to a future I’m desperate to have with a man I’m falling in love with.
TWENTY-ONE
DRIX
I can’t sleep.
Lying on my bed I stare up at the ceiling, thinking about everything that’s happened tonight. The way Lia had felt in my arms dancing with her, the taste of her lips, her skin, her goddamn beautiful pussy. The heady scent of her still lingers, a reminder to my cock just how much she turns me on.
