Victorious(69)

“Thank you for being so gentle with me.”

“I’ll always be gentle with you.” I kiss her and hold her close. “Let me clean you up, and then we’ll get some sleep.” I release her only long enough to retrieve a warm washcloth from the bathroom that I use to clean us both.

She releases a satisfied-sounding sigh as the rough terrycloth rubs her sensitive flesh.

I look up to find her watching me tend to her, a small smile on her lips.

“What?”

“Just looking at what’s mine.”

I love that she’s possessive of me when that quality has driven me insane with other women. This woman is welcome to be as possessive of me as she’d like to be. “So am I.”

She holds out her arms to me.

I toss the washcloth on the floor and go to her, dragging the covers up and over us. We come together, arms and legs wrapped around each other, bodies pressed tightly. It’s the only way I can sleep now, with her warm, sweet softness snug against me.

“Are you hurting, sweetheart?”

“No, not really. I’m still throbbing.”

“And throbbing is a good thing?”

“In this case, yes.”

“I want you to know that I wish I’d told you the truth about myself from the beginning, that I’d had the faith I should’ve had in you and that core of inner strength that is so much a part of who you are.”

“While I wish I’d heard it from you rather than your ex-wife, you were probably wise to hold it back from me. I wouldn’t have been able to handle it at the beginning, and I might’ve done something stupid like run away from you.”

“I would’ve run after you.” I stroke my hand over her hair. “Go to sleep, sweetheart. We have a very special day ahead tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait to marry you all over again.”

“Me, too.” Long after she’s asleep, I remain awake, enjoying the simple pleasure of holding her while she sleeps.





Chapter 16





My entire body is sore from what we did last night. I can’t seem to move as I force my eyes to open on a new day, one in which we will celebrate our marriage with Flynn’s family. I’m disappointed that neither of my sisters could get the time off from school and work, and that Leah couldn’t get anyone to cover her shift at the bar. Aileen had another round of chemo on Friday, so she can’t come either.

I tell myself I’m okay with none of my people being here, but I can’t deny I’m disappointed that none of them could make it work, even after Flynn offered to fly them out for it.

I need to get up. I need to take a shower and wash my hair so I’m ready when the hair and makeup people get here to help me get ready. I told Flynn and Addie I didn’t want all that, but he insisted on full pampering today.

“Hey, you’re awake,” he says when he and Fluff come into the room. Wearing only a pair of basketball shorts, Flynn is carrying a tray, and the scent of coffee has my full attention. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

I try to sit up and instantly regret moving.

“Oh God, baby. Is it bad?”

“I’m okay.”

“Tell me the truth.”

“I’m sore.”

“I’ll run you a hot bath after you eat.” He gestures to the plate with eggs and bacon and pancakes.

My stomach growls loudly. “Did you make all this?”

“No, Fluff did. But I supervised.”

I laugh despite my aches and pains.

Fluff barks and jumps up on the bed to “help” with my breakfast.

I struggle to find a comfortable position, and when I’m settled, he places the tray on my lap. “I’ve never had breakfast in bed before I met you.”

“What do you think of it?”

Taking a bite of bacon, I smile at him. “I could get used to it.”

“We’re fine with that.”

“Have you been up long?”

“Couple hours. I took a run and did some work.” He accepts the bite of pancake I offer him. “It’s no fun being awake without you.”

I waggle a finger at him to bring him closer so I can kiss him. “Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too. Sorry I slept so late.”

“Don’t be sorry. You were worn out.”

“Extremely.”

“Are you sorry… Do you wish…”

I lay a finger over his lips. “I loved it. No regrets, no second-guessing.”

He takes a deep breath and releases it slowly. “Ready for that hot bath?”

“Sounds heavenly.”

“You should have plenty of time to soak before the masseuse arrives.”

“Masseuse?”

“You heard me right. I want my wife nice and relaxed for her big day.”

“You’re too good to me.”

He leans over to kiss me. “You’re good to me, too.” Then he’s gone to the bathroom to turn on the tub for me, Fluff following close behind him.

I meant what I said about having no regrets. I love happy, satisfied, relaxed Flynn, who isn’t wound so tightly he might burst from trying to deny who and what he is. I said I wanted all of him, and I got that last night. I have absolutely no regrets.