Then the memory shifts.
His arms around me. His breath on my shoulder. His heartbeat against my spine.
The water lifting my body instead of dragging it down.
None of it feels like death.
It feels like rebirth.
“I love you,” he murmurs.
I lean into him.
“I love you so fucking much, Seth.”
“You still coming?” he asks quietly.
“A little.”
“Good.”
A tired laugh escapes me.
“Sadist.”
“Only for you.”
Silence settles between us.
“I thought I lost you,” he says finally.
“You didn’t. You never will.”
I turn to face him. His length slips free of me and we both groan softly at the loss.
“You saved me.”
“You didn’t need saving tonight.”
We stay in the pool until the heat fades and our breathing slows.
Finally he kisses me softly.
“Let’s clean up and go to bed.”
I let him lift me from the water.
Tonight was healing.
I killed the man who hurt me and made love to the man who always saves me.
It is us choosing each other.
And choosing what comes next.
Chapter 39
Seth
