AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Barely favoring his arm with the healing gunshot wound, he carries me into the bathroom where the soaking tub waits full of steamy suds and cherry blossoms.
No one follows.
The distance is weird, but not unwelcome. As much as I crave them all against my skin, I can feel them inside and nearby. Ready if I call.
So I sink happily into JJ’s embrace as he lowers me into the water.
The heat makes me moan.
JJ scrubs me while I doze, head against a tub pillow. He washes every finger and every little toe like he’s polishing marble.
When his arm dips below the water, and he scrubs my belly with a soft sponge, the needy flutter returns.
But I hesitate. “JJ. If you don’t want—”
“I do.” He pulls my wrist from the water and kisses my bracelet with eyes so dark, my heart goes still. “Don’t deserve you, but I’ll work until I do.”
I smile around my new favorite words. “Show me.”
JJ pulls me from the water, then wraps us both in a huge fuzzy towel.
The nest is empty, sheets fresh.
Guys are giving us space.
He eases me to the mattress, then pats me dry.
I watch for the smallest twitch that says this isn’t right, that he’s on edge, but the more JJ touches me, the more at ease he feels. He…softens in a way I’ve never seen, focused on me instead of his demons.
When I’m spread out on the bed, he crawls to lie next to me, our faces flush and our long hair mixing on the pillows.
His cedar’s more cherry than blossom.
Sweet.
That nostalgic scent that reminds me of the boy I never stopped loving.
Even when we both forgot.
Even when we both stopped believing in love.
JJ moves my hand to his throat. I hook my fingers in his tight collar, and he makes the ticklish purr that’s only for me.
Slowly, gently, I tug his lips to mine.
Our mouths bump.
Soft.
He doesn’t close his eyes.
JJ stares scary deep, and I look back just as closely, finding sparkling galaxies instead of creeping dark.
“Lilac,” he murmurs.
“Do you want my bite?” I run my fingers through his silky hair. “We don’t—”
“Want.” He pulls me close, inhaling my scent until I tremble, scent spiking high.
