Beautifully Damaged(40)

One night we were playing gin rummy. My dad had taught me the game but Trace was kicking my ass. It was actually embarrassing to be so thoroughly whipped and then I saw it. He was fast, I had to give him credit for that, but the sneak was dealing from the bottom of the deck.

"You cheat!"

He was laughing when he placed the cards down on the table and held up his hands in defense.

"How long have you been cheating?"

"Since the beginning."

"Son of a bitch." I stood and moved from the table as Trace continued to grin at me, completely unrepentant I might add. It was the smug look on his face that had me reaching for the can of cheese spray. He was up out of his chair in a flash, his eyes completely focused on me, but I didn't miss the humor in them.

"Don't do it, sweetheart."

I looked behind me to see how far I had to run to get to safety and he knew what I was thinking when he offered very softly, "You'll never make it."

I let my shoulders slump as I held his gaze. "You're right."

He relaxed for a second and that was all the time I needed. I laughed out loud at the cheese dripping down his face and then I ran. I didn't get far before Trace's arms wrapped around me and pulled me back against his hard chest. He was laughing, a sound that I really liked hearing, and then he lifted me up over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

He said nothing as he walked us down the hall to the bathroom. He moved to the shower and started the water as I wiggled to get free. His hold on me never wavered. He stepped into the shower and pulled me down with my body moving along the hard line of his, causing desire to pool in my belly. My eyes lifted to his and I saw desire burning there and then his mouth came down hard on mine. I was practically boneless when he pulled his mouth away. No matter how many times the man kissed me it still had the effect of making my head spin. I didn't mean to say the words, they sort of just slipped out.

"I love you, Trace."

He went completely still and I felt my heart drop as I lowered my eyes. Stupid, Ember, way to kill the moment. When his thumb touched my chin to lift my gaze to his I wasn't expecting to see adoration burning in his eyes but there was another emotion burning there too, doubt. He didn't say anything only sealed his lips over mine and showed me what he was still unable to say with words.

After my declaration slipped, I was treated to a side of Trace that was more carefree. He was without the burden of his past weighing him down and I really liked what I saw. I didn't miss the side-long glances that he repeatedly gave to me and the look of wonder but also worry, as if I was going to come to my senses and take off.

I couldn't say how I knew that he was the one for me but I did with absolute certainty. I thought about how I could prove to him that I wasn't going anywhere and spent a few days considering my options.

A week after the cheese incident, I came home from work with more pain than my typical achy feet. I entered the apartment to the smell of something yummy teasing my nose as I followed it into the kitchen to find Trace standing in front of the stove.

"Smells good."

He turned at the sound of my voice and a smile spread over his face.

"Hi." He placed the spoon on the plate before he walked over and pulled me into a hug but when I winced he pulled back with a look of concern.

"What's wrong?"

"I um."

"What, Ember? Are you hurt?" His eyes grew hard before he asked, "Did someone hurt you?"

"No, nothing like that I just, well, I guess it would be easier to show you."

His eyebrow arched slightly in response but when I took a step away from him, and moved to unsnap my jeans, his expression turned into something else entirely as a wicked gleam entered his eyes. He rolled back on his heals before pushing his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

"I'm liking this already."

I grinned -- couldn't help it -- before I pushed my jeans down a bit as I lifted my blouse to expose a bandage just below my hip bone. It only took him a second for understanding to dawn when his eyes looked up into mine.

"What have you done?"

I removed the bandage and watched as his eyes moved to the spot I just revealed. The tattoo of the Celtic symbol for everlasting love was done in black and gray and just under it was Trace's name in cursive. I watched him as he stood transfixed, looking at my hip, and then I offered softly, "I knew with absolute certainty that, what I wanted, I'd want forever."

His gaze moved up to mine as tenderness washed over his face and then he had me in his arms.

"God, Ember." He buried his face in my hair and breathed me in and when he pulled back and looked into my eyes, I felt tears burning my throat. His voice was a harsh vow when he whispered. "I love you, Ember."