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“Yeah, it was,” I agree, kissing her forehead and the tip of her nose.
Allegra sighs contentedly before curling up on my chest again. We lie in silence for a few moments, soaking up the love we’ve found. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her my intense feelings, but I’m not sure she’s ready to hear it. Allegra has been through so much, and even though I’m ready for our forever, it’s understandable for her to need more time.
I can be patient. I think. It’s never been a particularly strong trait, but I’d do anything for my angel.
“This is seriously the comfiest bed in the world,” Allegra sighs, snuggling up closer while pulling the blankets around her.
My chest grows tight at her words, remembering when she first stepped into her room and marveled at the sheets and pillows. I want to know everything about her, but I need to tread carefully.
I gently stroke Allegra’s back, the tips of my fingers barely touching her silky-smooth skin as I trail them up and down her spine. She melts against me, letting me soothe every worry and doubt.
“Where were you sleeping before you met me?” I ask softly.
My sweet girl tenses and curls in on herself.
“Don’t hide from me,” I whisper, kissing the top of her head. “Remember who you are, Allegra. Strong, brave as fuck, kind, and beautiful. Nothing about your past can change that.”
“How do you always know what to say?” she murmurs, tipping her head up. Blue eyes lock onto mine, and vulnerability clashes with growing confidence as she braces herself to tell me her truth.
“I’m not usually good with my words,” I admit. “But with you… I’m trying so damn hard to be what you need.”
“You are,” Allegra whispers. She tucks her head into my neck, clinging to me while searching for her words. I’ll wait however long she needs. “After my uncle kicked me out for being late on rent, I didn’t know where to go. I still had my job as a waitress, and if I could find someplace to live for free, I’d be able to save enough money to get out and start over somewhere new.”
I hum softly, resuming my steady, gentle strokes along her spine. I can tell Allegra has never spoken about this with anyone, and knowing she trusts me with her past and her secrets is humbling.
“Where did you end up?” I ask, though I’m sure I won’t like the answer.
“I went into work like usual, then hid in the bathroom or out by the dumpsters until everyone else left around two-thirty or three in the morning. I sneaked back inside and made a little nest in a storage closet out of coats from the lost and found. Eventually, I stashed a blanket and pillow in the closet, but my uncle found them after a few weeks and threw them out after yelling at everyone for being lazy pieces of shit. I didn’t try anything stupid like that again.”
“Allegra,” I murmur, cupping the back of her neck and nudging her to look up at me. “Jesus, sweetheart. I’m so sorry you had to live like that.” She shrugs and looks away from me, but I don’t let her get away with that. “I know what it’s like to survive with nothing but the clothes on your back.”
This gets her attention. Allegra gasps and her blue eyes grow wide.“What happened?”
“I…” Taking a breath, I let it out and focus on what’s important. I can’t derail this conversation with my sordid past, but I know we’ll need to talk about everything soon. “This isn’t about me right now, sweetheart. I need you to know I don’t think less of you. It takes courage and perseverance to push through that shit and wake up every morning. I’m so proud of you.”
“Proud of… me?” Her voice is soft and broken, tugging at my heart painfully.
“Yes, sweet girl. You’re a survivor.”
“I don’t deserve this,” she whispers.
“Deserve what?”
“This… you, the bed, a fresh start. It’s going to be ripped away. I’m going to screw it up, and–”
“Never,” I say firmly, cutting her off as I flip her on her back and hover over her, caging in my beautiful angel with an arm on either side of her head. “You’re not going to screw up anything, Allegra. Nothing is going to be ripped away. I’m your safe place, remember? And I’m not going anywhere.”
My beautiful girl nods, cupping my cheek. I lean into her touch, closing my eyes and breathing in her sweet, honied scent. My lips are drawn to hers, and she opens up for me, accepting my kiss and asking for more.
“Thank you,” she breathes against my lips before tangling her tongue with mine.
I groan as Allegra slides her hands into my hair, scratching my scalp and neck to pull me closer. I cover my sweet girl with my large frame, taking long, lazy sips from her addictive mouth.
“Never thank me,” I rasp. “You give me everything just by breathing.”
I rest my forehead on hers, sharing the same breath as we come back down. Rolling over on my back, I open my arms, smiling when Allegra snuggles into my side.
We still have a lot to talk about, including my career, but right now, I’m content to have the love of my life in my arms. We’ll figure everything else out.
