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All of that relaxation is quickly ripped away as a blast of cold air sinks into my skin when the door to the bathroom swings open, letting the heat and steam leak from the room. “Hello?”
“It’s me.” Ezra’s voice is thick with sleepiness and a small smile touches my lips at the adorable sound. “I heard you moving around. Do you need anything?”
“Umm, no. I’m feeling much better now and I’ve already got food on the way. I wouldn’t mind a little company though, there’s plenty of room.” The door clicks closed once more and my heart skips in my chest when I feel a pulsing of satisfaction slip from his aura. “I saw that.”
“I let you.” He rumbles in response to my teasing and I giggle.
It takes only a moment more before his massive frame is overtaking the space in the shower, that I’m pretty sure I vastly overestimated. I do always seem to forget how freaking huge Ezra is. I’m sure his damn head is cocked sideways just to stand in here. Maybe it’s time for me to buy a bigger house. One with a ginormous shower and hot tub sized bath. Oh, and maybe six rooms, so none of the guys have to share with Gizmo and Snitch.
Wait, what?
“What are you thinking, Squeaks?” Ezra rumbles as his bare skin presses to mine, his hand pushing my wet hair out of my face.
“Dangerous things.”
“And what could my little badass think is scary enough to be too dangerous for even her?” I open up to him as he holds me against his front, seeing my own cloudy white gaze staring up at him droplets of water hanging from my thick lashes.
“Hmm. I don’t know if I should tell you.” I shut down the connection, not wanting to see the ardent look on my face as I enjoy my proximity with Ezra far too much.
I busy myself grabbing soap and washing the giant in front of me as he descends into silence, leaving me to it. He doesn’t force me to talk, or press me, he just lets me avoid anything that could cause me discomfort. Which, in itself, might be an unhealthy way to do things in the long run. But it’s like he just knows that’s what I need right now.
To figure things out on my own.
The shower is mechanical at this point, but not uncomfortable. I’m glad he’s here. I find myself wanting to be alone less and less these days. I enjoy the guys’ company far more than I enjoy my own. Ezra’s presence alone soothes the turmoil that’s been present in my heart since I woke up.
When I shut the water off, Ezra gathers a large towel around me and lifts me out of the shower-tub-duo, always the gentlemen, before stepping out himself. I meander to where I know the large mirror sits across from the shower and wipe away the condensation coating the surface.
“Ezra? Can I see you?”
He steps up behind me, the squeak of his hand on the mirror giving away that I did not do a good enough job of wiping the mirror myself, before he wraps his arms around my front and I settle my arms over his. I open up again, concentrating on wanting to see, and I instantly do. It’s become almost effortless to access it, though it can still take a lot out of me if I do it for too long.
There he stands, dwarfing me, as I only come up to his well-defined pecs. His focus is on my face, everything else slightly out of focus, so I clear my throat with a grin. “I want to see you, Brick, not me.”
His gaze snaps to his face in the mirror and I let out a gasp. No, the few fleeting images and memories from the ladies at the office have nothing on the man before me. His dark brown beard and hair are a direct contrast to the mesmerizing light gray eyes that seem to sparkle and swirl with the light. His features are strong, large, and beautiful in a way only a man can be. My grip on his arm tightens as his muscles jump and flex beneath the weight of our combined gaze and I’m stepping from beneath his arms before I realize what I’m doing.
I don’t let my touch on him go as I step to his side and hold his arm with my right hand. With my left, I explore. I run my palm over his chest, watching as his gaze darkens like there’s a storm brewing in his eyes alone, before it follows the movement of my touch. I skate my fingers along the edge of where his towel sits low on his pelvis, his defined V stark and toned, leading straight to the bulge that not even the fluffy, thick fabric can hide the size of.
“Ezra…” His eyes leave the mirror and snap to my face as I gaze up at him, pure adoration on my features. “You’ll never leave me, right?”
“Never.” He swears, his eyes flicking back to the mirror so I can witness the promise in his shining gaze, determination pasted into every line of his features.
“Can you promise me that I’ll die first?” My throat tightens painfully, but I shove the feeling back. I’ve cried enough lately and I’m done with it. “Can you promise me that I won’t have to live without you?”
His gaze softens, mouth turning down at my words before his eyes flick back to my face. My features look almost desperate, like I’m pleading, but there’s also so much hope hidden beneath the surface.
“No, Squeaks, I can’t.” My heart practically deflates like a balloon, blood rushing through my ears as I hang my head. At least, it does until Ezra’s large hand cups my face, forcing it back up towards him.
“I can’t promise you things I have no control over. I won’t lie to you.” His eyes stroke over my features as his thumb does the same. “But I will promise you something.”
My heart flutters, pushing life into my limbs once more as I grab onto his words like a lifeline.
“I promise that every moment we have together will hold the fulfillment of a thousand lives. I promise that when death does come to take one of us away, we won’t be leaving with any regrets. I promise that, while the one left behind may mourn, it will be because they have truly loved and been loved beyond something that death can steal. I promise to give you a life so worth living, that you no longer fear losing me, because you know our lives are so intertwined and woven together that even death cannot separate our souls.” His hand moves to my hair and tightens as he pulls me flush against his front.
Fuck.
“I love you, Izabella.” His aura opens wide, the truth of his proclamation in every vibration and pulse, wrapping around me and pulling me within its grasp. The warmth, the light, the safety–everything about it screamsrightness.
Fuck. Fuck.
