See Me .(67)
He tucked her head under his chin and slid off the stretchy band holding her ponytail. “Yes. I love your hair. I hope, one day, our little girl has your hair.”
Abigail felt her lungs catch. The thought of seeing a little person padding into the kitchen while her daddy was standing at the stove making pancakes made her eyes go blurry. “Sean…” She couldn’t seem to wrap her arms tight enough around his waist.
“Is there anything else you need to tell me?” he asked.
She rested her cheek on the hard muscles of his chest. “I…I never told my family it was Justin who attacked me. I didn’t want my dad to go after him and get himself hurt. My family doesn’t know.”
His arms tightened around her like a vise. “We can tell them together when you’re ready.”
“Okay,” she reluctantly agreed.
“I was going to make us a spot next to the fire. Do you girls want to go roast some marshmallows?”
Abigail looked down to where Penelope had worked her way between their legs. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”
They started to walk off the porch, Sean clutching her hand like a thirsty man hanging on to an oasis. “I want you to know how glad I am we did this. It feels so good to just get away from the city.”
“I know. I’m glad too. It’s been fun.” The three simple words made his eyes light up.
“Damn, I can’t wait to get you in that tent.”
She giggled and started on a dead run for the fire pit. When she looked over her shoulder, Sean was standing with his hands on his hips, watching her.
“You have to catch me first!”
The smile that tilted his lips made her want to slow down so he could catch her.
* * * *
Abigail turned around and adjusted the pillow again. She looked over at the corner of the tent where Penelope was curled up on her own blanket.
“How does this look?” She flipped the cotton spaghetti strap off her shoulder. The dog blinked back at her. “I want this to be perfect.” God, she needed this to be perfect. Sean had been gone for over half an hour. She’d already taken a shower in the cabin and came out to find Sean sitting with the guys by the fire, talking about cars and sports. He hadn’t given her a second look as she walked by on the way to their tent.
“What if he doesn’t want to do this? What if he’s had time to think and has decided I’m not worth the trouble?” She slipped the strap back onto her shoulder. “Crap.” With a huff, she fell back against the pillow.
The crickets’ song wafted through the tent. The lull almost calmed the rippling sensation rolling through her stomach. Sean gave her courage, made her feel like a woman who could accomplish anything. Made her feel beautiful in a world filled with fear and ugliness.
She stared up into the mesh top of the tent. Sean had left the rain cover off, allowing a warm breeze to dip into the tent. The sound of the sheet rubbing the inflated mattress made her remember all those times she’d been camping with her brother and sisters. Now, those memories were for another person, someone who hadn’t been violated, left broken and unlovable.
The ting of the tent’s zipper opening made her look toward her feet. Sean’s head popped in the rounded doorway. She shifted under the covers and curled onto her side.
Sean crawled inside the tent. “I brought you something,” he said slyly. “You’re going to like it. I promise.” He zipped the tent closed. “Come on, ask me.”
She didn’t say anything; the old fear of rejection raced through her mind. The what-if’s came tumbling back.
“Baby,” he whispered as he scooted onto the other side of the mattress. The shift made her bob around on her side of the bed. “I brought you me. Well, and some strawberries. I thought we could play a little game. I took a shower inside, and I stole a bowl of these on my way out.
“Hey,” he coaxed as he tugged on the blanket. “Open your mouth.”
He scooted closer with the bowl of strawberries. After popping one in his mouth, he nudged her hip with his waist. “Come on, you know you want one.”
She leaned over and pushed the black button on the battery lamp, sending the tent into darkness. The crickets’ song seemed magnified, accompanied by the sound of other furry little creatures scurrying around the woods.
“Okay, can I have one of those?” she asked.
When she rolled over, her vision adjusted to the moonlight streaming in from the mesh top of the tent. Sean was leaning against a pillow, shirtless and…good God. He’d taken off his sweatpants. The man was naked, gorgeous, and so breathtaking. The bowl of strawberries sitting on his abdomen rose and fell with each breath. He’d popped another one in his mouth and had one waiting in his hand.