Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(36)

“Yeah, so?” He was already undressing.

“It’s over ten years old.”

“Did you expect me to throw it away?”

“Well, yeah, I did.”

“Why? It was full.”

“It’s for colored hair, Chad. According to the grays filling the sides of your head, I’d say you’re all natural.”

“When you moved out I brought your stuff here, and I may have used it once or twice. I liked the smell. It reminded me of you. To be honest, I forgot all about it. I don’t really pay attention to products. As long as I can wash with soap I’m pretty set.”

I shook my head and watched as he tossed his wet clothes into a pile. He stood there in all his glory staring back at me. “What now?”

“So, you just expect me to pick up where we left off? I’m still emotional, buddy.”

He pulled me into his arms. “I have a good idea regarding how to go about making you forget.”

“I bet you do. Does it involve using this stale shampoo?”

He squinted. “It doesn’t expire. It’s soap. Pretend it’s the apocalypse.”

“How about we get under the hot water and then we’ll talk. I’m going to turn into an ice cube.”

He walked us under the spray of water. “Don’t worry, Rach. I’ll have you melting in no time.”

I started to worry about his daughter waking up again. "What about Harper?"

"I locked the door this time. I won't make the same mistake again. Stop cock blocking me."

I laughed when he said it.

Chad took his time washing my hair, then taking the suds and rubbing them gently over my sensitive areas. Even after our falling out, I could still feel residual tingling from when he'd been inside of me. I kept my eyes closed during the whole ordeal, praying he knew what he was doing. Every minute spent close to him was going to make it harder if we had to say goodbye. His skilled hands navigated down every inch of my skin like he was on a quest to make new discoveries even though he'd ventured there before. I focused on the way it made me feel. I had to stop worrying about what could happen and allow myself to appreciate what was happening between us. Finally, after all this time, we were back together and he wanted a future with me, one that had the potential to last for the rest of our lives.

I had to keep reminding myself that this was really happening. This man, who I'd loved for so long, was finally here for me, with me. ?He was determined to prove we could make it work if we only had faith. Even though I trusted him, I understood life can get ugly without a moments notice. I didn't want to be another memory that faded away. I wanted to be the one that continued on.

When Chad was finished washing my body, he held me close against his own wet skin. ?"This is how it should be."

"Fighting in the rain?" I teased.

"I don't mind fighting with you, because it ensures we will have a chance for some great makeup sex. I'm all for some bickering every now and again."

I yawned and he let his arms finally let go of me. "It's been a rough couple of days. Let's get you into bed."

"What happened to the man who could go all night?"

"He aged." Chad grinned and slapped me lightly on the ass. "Don't fret, I can still keep up with you."

"I don't doubt it, me being a grandmother and all."

Chad laughed loudly, the sound echoing off the tile and high ceilings. "Quit it. You'll always be young and stunning in my eyes," he said while wrapping an oversized towel around my body. "Love has no boundaries."

There'd been plenty of times when I felt like Chad was too good to be true, especially years ago when we'd had our first romp. I'd been wrong before. He was an old soul in a young body, set in his ways and determined to get everything he wanted.

He led me into the bedroom, stripping me of the towel and handing me a white cotton undershirt. I placed it over my head, watching as he slipped on a pair of boxers across from me. Chad smiled as he climbed under the covers and patted the opposite side for me to join him.

?"You just want to jump into this, don't you?"

"I told you we've wasted enough time. From now on were a team."

"What about your wife?" I pointed to the ring on his finger.

He tugged it off and tossed it on the floor behind him. "My soon-to-be ex-wife will be hearing from my lawyer first thing in the morning. I'm done with the charade. This entire estate belongs to me now, and she's not seeing a penny."

I climbed in the bed but began to worry. First because I was still wearing my ring from Grayson. He was gone, but I’d kept it on for sentiment. “Do you have a problem with this?” I held up my hand.

“No, but when I buy you one to replace it, that sucker is coming off. I’ve been patient.”

“You have.”

“We don’t have to figure it out tonight, Rach. We’ve got plenty of time.”

"Tell me you have some kind of pre-nup." I didn’t mean to change the subject, but I knew better than to think any of this would be a simple adjustment.

"I do. It was her idea. I have proof she's been having an affair. It's means for an immediate divorce. Unless she wants her little secret coming out, she'll keep it amicable."