Page 95 of Recovering Ivy

I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure I was ready. Another night crawling into bed with him and having him hold me until we both fell asleep was both torture and heaven. At least I was wrapped in his arms, but I wanted more. I needed my Zane back.

Before we could get into bed, he turned to face me.

“I need to talk to you.” Tears pricked my eyes and I held my breath. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

“What?”

“I promise I’ll fix everything I’ve broken.”

“You didn’t break anything.”

“I have. First, I promised to protect you and I failed. Then over the last week I’ve watched you pull into yourself. I’ve seen the shield come up and the pain in your eyes and I allowed it because I was too much of a pussy to man up.”

“What are you talking about? You did protect me. You stopped him. He didn’t get the chance to touch me because you didn’t let him.”

“But he violated you, he…”

“Stop, Zane. We’ve talked about this. Yes, I was terrified. Yes, he saw my body. But you know what? He didn’t touch me because you stopped him. I always knew you’d protect me and keep me safe, but you proved to me you’re a man of your word. You kept your promise.”

“He could…”

“He didn’t,” I said with more force. “Does it bother you another man saw me naked?”

I watched as his jaw tightened and the vein in his neck pounded.

“Yes,” he bit out.

“Yes, because now you think I’m dirty?”

There was the crux to all my worry. How did Zane now see me?

“Fuck no. Christ, Ivy. I hate that he saw you because you were screaming for him to stop. I heard everything you said.”

“It that the only reason it bothers you?”

He waited a beat before he answered. “Another man took something that belongs to me and me alone.”

“Then take it back, Zane.”

“What?”

I yanked my t-shirt over my head and tossed it aside. When I stepped out of my panties I stood before him bare. Completely. Totally. Vulnerable.

“God, you’re beautiful.” His thick voice said with reverence.

“Take it back.”

“What if I scare you or I trigger a…”

“Goddamn it. Take it back. Make me yours. In my mind, not a second has passed that I didn’t belong to you. I’ve always been yours since the first day we met. Is this what you need? Then fucking own it and claim me.”

He didn’t need any more coaxing from me - he reached out and yanked me to him. His mouth was on mine, owning me just like I had begged. Home sweet fucking home. Nothing had tasted better than Zane’s kisses, but this one was different. He was claiming me and loving me at the same time. I could feel it.

His boxers came off and we landed on the bed.

“So beautiful.” He kissed the side of my neck, down my throat, and lower to my chest.

He was keeping his touches and kisses soft and gentle and just when I was going to beg for more he sucked the skin on the side of my breast into his mouth. A few hard pulls and he looked down at the mark I knew he’d left.