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He smirked—that same sexy smirk I fell in love with two years ago. “Because I know you.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t even know I neededthat.”
He shrugged. “Clearly you don’t pay enough attention to yourself.”
He glanced over to the clock on his nightstand and then pushed himself off my body, slowly pulling out of me. After cleaning himself up in the bathroom, he came out with a wet washcloth, putting the warm material against my sensitive flesh. I’d fallen so hard for this man, but it was these tender moments when he took such sweet care of me that reminded me I fell in love with his actions before I ever fell for his words. When I was thoroughly cleaned, he went around the bed, releasing the straps one at a time. He gently massaged each limb as he released it, and I sagged in our bed, completely blissed out. The way he always knew how to care for me and what I needed made me feel more cherished than I’d ever felt in my entire life.
Once he was done, he slid his hands underneath me, lifting me up and eliciting a squeal. “What are you doing?”
“We’re taking a shower. We have dinner reservations.”
“We do?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him carry me into our shower. He washed my hair, something he’d told me he loved doing, and then took my loofah and proceeded to wash my entire body—thoroughly. I returned the favor, but when I tried to grab his quickly hardening dick, he gripped my wrist.
“As much as I’d love for you to do what you’re thinking, we really do have a reservation.”
I tried to hide my disappointment, but he caught it, lifting my chin and dropping a tender kiss to my lips. “Keep thinking what you’re thinking for after dinner, alright?”
A small smile graced my face. “Alright.”
We finished our shower quickly after that and got dressed. He knew there was a fancy restaurant where I’d always hoped to celebrate when I finished my degree, so I already suspected where we were going and dressed accordingly. When I finished with my makeup and came out of the bathroom to find him dressed in a suit, I knew I’d chosen the right outfit. Then again, you could never go wrong with a sexy figure-hugging red dress.
The drive to the restaurant was quick, and Connor filled the time by telling me about the latest conversation he’d had with his dad. Our parents hadn’t been too happy when they found out we’d gotten together, but Connor and I both thought it was more because they were upset that we were clearly in love when they never had been. They both pretended to be happy for us now, but things had been strained. I couldn’t say I was upset that my mom called me less often. If anything, it took some stress off my shoulders.
It also helped that even when she did call, Connor was always there to hold my hand and offer me a hug when she inevitably tried to make me feel like shit for something.
His conversations with his dad hadn’t been much better, but he always told me about them. Connor still struggled sometimes, but most of the time, if I asked him a question, he answered it honestly without hesitation. The only thing he still struggled with was talking about his time in the army, but since he was doing telehealth appointments with his therapist, I was less concerned about that. I didn’t need to know about that trauma if he didn’t want me to. He’d explained why it was hard for him to tell me, and while I didn’t agree with him carrying that burden all by himself, I’d also never experienced anything close to what he had. I’d never been in a war zone, and if it made him feel better not to put those images in my mind, then I could be okay with that.
As long as he didn’t shut me out entirely, we were good. And for the last two years, he hadn’t.
“When will you find out how you did on your finals?”
I twist my hands in my lap. “I should find out in the next day or two. All but one class has already posted.”
He glanced over. “And?”
I smiled. “Bs in every single one so far.”
My internship with Dr. Cunningham had been the start of a much-needed mentorship with someone who was not only kind, but encouraging. He was always happy to answer an email or talk to me over the phone if I had questions or needed guidance over the last two years. He’d offered me a job this summer, and Connor and I were planning to move back to LA once he could get reassigned.
“What’s the last one that you’re still waiting on?”
“Dr. Washington’s class.” I was dreading that grade. She’d been none too pleased when I returned to school and requested a new advisor, but I didn’t regret my decision. I needed someone who supported me, not someone who didn’t believe I could do better. My new advisor was a much better fit and had even shared some additional resources for support. She shared that I wasn’t the first to struggle, but several others had become very successful veterinarians and she had no doubt I would be among them. I understood some people did well with the tough love approach, but I wasn’t one of them.
“You’re going to pass. I know you will. You studied harder for that class than any other.”
“I hope so,” I mumbled to the window. I wished I had his confidence.
He gripped my thigh, squeezing it once and then leaving his hand there as a comforting touch. “I have complete faith in you, Jenna.”
I wrapped my hand over his, staring at his profile as we neared the restaurant. “Thank you for all your support this year.”
He glanced over, a smile on his face. “It was easy, Sugar.”
My heart swelled in my chest. I still loved when he called me that.
He pulled up to the valet and then gripped my thigh where his hand still rested. “Wait for me.”
I nodded and then watched him hand his keys to the valet and come around the car, adjusting his suit jacket before he opened my door and held out his hand for me.
