Page 196 of When Love Takes Root

I moved with a steady rhythm, deep enough to make her cling, slow enough to keep her present, and firm enough to remind us both that love could be tender without being timid. Her body answered mine in waves. Every time she lifted into me, I kissed her. When her breath caught, I gave her mine. When her eyes drifted closed, I touched her face until she came back to me.

“Look at me, baby.”

She opened her eyes.

There she was.

No running.

No hiding.

No fear making a home in the doorway.

Just my Red beneath me, brave and trembling, letting herself be loved without apologizing for needing it.

“I’m scared,” she whispered.

“I know.”

“I don’t want to run.”

“Then don’t.” I slowed, keeping my forehead near hers. “Run to me. Bring me the fear. Bring me the grief. Bring me the ugly thoughts you don’t want to say out loud. But don’t run from me after asking me to love you.”

“Okay.”

“Say it.”

“I won’t run from you.”

I kissed her, and something in her surrendered, not to me, but to the safety between us. Her body arched into mine, and the sound that left her moved through my chest like a hymn sung through mercy instead of music.

I kept one hand at her face.

“Stay with me.”

“I’m here.”

Her release came with my name trembling from her lips. I held her through it, slowing when her body shuddered and speaking over her until the storm inside her softened.

“I got you, Red.”

“You’re safe with me, baby.”

“I’m right here.”

When I followed her, it felt less like losing control and more like laying something down. My face pressed against her neck, her name caught in my throat, and the prayer that left me had no formal language.

For a while, I stayed over her, breathing with her, letting both of us come back slowly. Celeste’s hands slid over my back, gentle and tired, and I kissed her temple before easing away.

“Stay right here, baby.”

Her eyes opened, soft and dazed. “Where you going?”

“To take care of you.”

I kissed her once, then went to the bathroom and returned with a warm washcloth. When I came back, she had pulled the sheet over her chest, her locs loosened around her face, her eyes following me with a softness that made my throat tighten.

I sat beside her and touched her knee. “Open for me, Red.”