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I move my hands to her back and she relaxes.
“How are you really feeling, love?” Watching her intently, I wait for her answer.
She shifts her weight from one leg to the other, her eyes downcast. Taking a deep breath, she slowly raises them. “Shitty… traumatized. And I fuckinghateit.” She grits her teeth, then grabs at my arms, moving them to her hips. As soon as my hands touch them, she winces, her body tensing.
Removing my hands from her waist, I wrap her fingers in mine, gripping them firmly. “Stop, Everleigh. Don’t force yourself to deal with this. To try and hurry to get over it.” I press my lips to her forehead before pulling back. “It’s going to take time.”
She exhales a frustrated breath. “In my heart, I know that. But I don’t like it. I hate being weak and vulnerable.”
I nod, squeezing her hand. “I know, goddess. If it’s any consolation, I don’t view you as anything less than the badass woman I first met a few years ago. And you’ve only grown more powerful and amazing the longer I’ve known you.”
Her expression slowly brightens, a sparkle of hope lighting up her brown eyes, making them look like darkened honey. “Yeah?”
“Oh, sweetheart. There is nothing in this world that could make me view you as anything less than the incredible fucking badass goddess you are.”
She melts against me, a soft smile on her face.
The light dims in the bulb overhead, causing us both to look up, knowing the light won’t last long.
“We should get out of here before that thing burns out.”
She squeezes my hands, her lips curving into a smile. “It doesn’t matter if we are plunged into darkness. Your light brightens my world and always leads me home.” She stands on her tiptoes, her lips softly pressing against mine. When she pulls back, she whispers, “I love you to the moon and back, Will.”
I grin at her, raising a brow. “And what if your moon is standing right in front of you?”
“Then I love you to infinity. And beyond.”
Pressing my lips against hers again, her light fills me, letting me know that she will ultimately be okay.
It will just take time.
And I have all the time in the world forher.
twenty-three
Everleigh
Sittingonthehospitalbed, I stare at my feet as I swing them, turning my ankles in clockwise, then counterclockwise circles, my gaze locked on the raw scarlet marks that blemish my skin. A reminder of my helplessness and loss of power.
An inability to save myself.
“Do they still hurt from the ropes? Or are you a bundle of nerves?” Will leans over my shoulder. Jumping slightly, I let out a breathless giggle. I was so consumed by my thoughts; I hadn’t realized he’d moved behind me.
“Both.” Drawing in a long, shuddering breath, my hand shifts to my stomach beneath the hospital gown, rubbing gently. I stare at the floor, shame washing through me that I couldn’t protect my babies inside that concrete bunker. “I just… I want them to be fine. I think they are, but…”
Will’s large hands sink into my shoulders, massaging gently but firmly. “Relax, my love.” The smell of wood and spice tickles my nose as he presses his lips against my ear. “They’ll be just fine, sweetheart.”
A long sigh escapes my lips as I lean against him, enjoying how his fingers loosen my taut muscles that, until this moment, resembled piano wire about ready to snap. “God, that feels amazing, Will. Please don’t stop.”
His chuckle is low and deep, sexy as sin, as he whispers, “I won’t. I’ll do it for as long as you like.”
Despite the traumatic events of the night, heat floods my core. I squeeze my thighs together, and my voice is husky as I retort, “You never disappoint. My pleasure is your priority.”
To my shock, he freezes, his muscles tensing. With an awkward laugh, he resumes massaging me, but moves slightly away from me, putting some space between us.
My brows furrow as my thoughts race, trying to understand the distance he placed between us. Opening my mouth, I search for the words to explain all the confusing thoughts running through my head, but I’m interrupted by the door swinging open.
Dr. Jackson steps inside the room, wearing his signature white coat, a smile on his face, crinkling his eyes.
