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I’m in my bed. Or rather Blakely’s bed. I can smell her perfume linger all over me.
A smile spreads across my face as I realise she has designated her own bedroom to me instead of mine. My clothes have been changed. Looking down, I take note of my clothing - only boxer briefs and a T-shirt, and the sensation of the compression bandage wrapped around my waist. I assume someone must have scrubbed me thoroughly because I can smell the fresh, clean scent on my skin, and there’s no trace of blood.
I prop myself up on an elbow to look around.
Through the window, I can see the darkness of night, and the memories of the events that happened earlier tonight flood my mind.
What the fuck happened?
I never expected to find out she was Kore.
How?
The sound of approaching footsteps makes me slowly lower back down the bed, taking a sitting position. I guess I’ll have my answers soon, as she appears in the bedroom door.
“Hey.” She walks closer to me and sits on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m alright. I told you, it’s just a scratch.” She raises her eyebrows at me, not believing me. I’m not lying. I’ve had worse. “What time is it?”
With her curly hair dancing around her face, she appears pale and tired. “It’s almost 3 a.m.”
She pours me a glass of cool water and holds it to my lips so I can drink.
“I can drink by myself, you know?” I say, taking a sip.
“Is that so?” she asks with a devious grin on her face. “I remember being able to do most things on my own, but for some reason, you wouldn’t even let me go to the bathroom alone,” she reminds me.
I wince in pain as a laugh bubbles up inside of me, and I end up spitting out the water I was drinking. I should have expected that from her. “So, it’s vengeance?” I raise my eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
“The label you give it is up to you.” She lifts her shoulders up. “Scoot over.”
I sense a longing for closeness in her voice, so I do as she asks and move to the side. As soon as I finish, I hold her close, and she nestles into the curve of my arms, her delicate hands resting on my chest, directly above my heart.
“You okay, baby?” She shakes her head, and I can feel the wetness of her tears seeping through my T-shirt. Running my fingers through her hair, with a gentle voice, I ask, “Hey. What’s wrong? Talk to me.”
She sniffs before talking, “It’s just… you got shot, and I really thought I would lose you again.”
“Give me those beautiful eyes,” I say, grabbing her chin gently. “I’m not going anywhere, you hear me? It’s just a scratch. I’m fine.” I caress her cheek.
“I know, but?—”
“No buts. Now I guess you understand what I felt when I saw you stabbed and unable to move for weeks. What I felt when I heard you were almost raped and killed.” I kiss the top of her head. “I am not going anywhere.” I pause. “You are my reason for breathing. Even if I die today, I’ll find a way to come back to you in this life or another.” I caress her cheek. “Our souls are intertwined, and I would find you no matter where you are. I will always find you.” I swallow over the lump in my throat. “There’s nothing on this earth that would keep me from you. You can hate me. You can love me. My obsession with you runs so deep that I’d watch this world burn if it means you are mine.” The emotions of these past years have taken over me. “My biggest regret is the eight years I spent without you, but I would make that sacrifice again in a heartbeat if it meant keeping you out of harm’s way. If something happens to you, I won’t be content to simply watch the chaos unfold. I’ll be the one to ignite the fire. I’ll kill every person who dares lay a finger on you.” A life without her is not one that I want to live in. “If you are to die tomorrow, I’ll pull the trigger on myself. Because you, Tink, you're the sun that lights up my days, the stars that grace my nights, and the reason my heart keeps beating. Living without you in this world would be like trying to breathe without air, impossible and agonising."
Tears stream down her face, and her shoulders shake with each sob, leaving her eyes red and puffy.
“You broke me. For years, I went back and forth, trying to move on from you, but even now, I’m not entirely sure I had. I understand why now, but it still stings. You’re an arsehole. But you’re my arsehole. There’s no one else I’d rather watch the world burn with than you. And rest assured, if you ever try to leave me again for any reason, know that I’ll come after you no matter what, even if it means descending into the fiery pits of hell. And if any woman lays a hand on you, even slightly, they won’t be alive for much longer.”
My cheeks are aching from the wide, beaming smile on my face. I lean closer to her mouth.
“My jealous little thing.” My lips are an inch from hers. “I love you.”
Her eyes filled with tears, but they are still bright with love when she replies, “I love you too.”
I’ve been waiting for what feels like an eternity to hear those three little words from her once more.
As I lean in to kiss her, I take it slow at first, but the sounds she makes quickly become my undoing. I deepen the kiss, tangling my fingers in her hair to draw her closer to me. I want to be one with her so completely that I’d let her permeate every fibre of my being.
She moans in my mouth, “Aidan. You’re hurt. We can’t.”
