“Thanks.”
They share another look. Olivia smiles. Marissa smiles. “That’s what family’s for.”
Finally, we escape Nash and Marissa. Olivia doesn’t say much, just gathers up some stuff and takes it into the bathroom. A few minutes later, I hear the shower cut on. A few minutes after that, I hear it shut off. Being the guy that I am, I’m a little pissed that I wasn’t invited. Of course, I could’ve just gone in and joined her anyway, but if she’s still irritated with me, that wouldn’t be the wisest move.
I take off my clothes, climb into bed and turn out the lights, settling in to await her. We’re going to hash this out before morning, one way or the other.
Quietly, the bathroom door opens. Her room is very dark and the door is closed, so I can’t see her, but I can hear her light footsteps as she approaches the bed. Gently, she peels back the covers and eases in beside me. I wait until she gets comfortable before I speak.
“There’s something I want you to understand,” I begin. I hear her sharp inhalation. “What?”
“You scared the crap out of me.”
“Did you think I’d just go right to sleep, knowing you’re upset?”
I’m a little ticked off at that.
“I just don’t understand how you could care so little about what happens to Marissa.”
“There are several reasons, actually. One, I know what she’s like. Two, I can’t so easily forget the way she’s treated you. And three, she’s not you. I’m sorry, but you’re my first priority.”
“Even so, how could you have let her come here alone, knowing it’s not entirely safe?”
“Olivia, she’s a grown woman. She can do whatever she wants to. And it’s not like she had nowhere safe to go. She could’ve stayed with her father. She just didn’t want to.”
“I just don’t see how you could be so cold about it.”
“I can tell you how. This isn’t about Marissa. It never was. It’s about you. Keeping you safe. I’m not in love with her. I’m in love with you. Can’t you understand that I don’t want to live without you? That I can’t live without you? What the hell would I do if something happened to you? I couldn’t let you come here with her by yourself. I couldn’t take the risk. I’ll never take the risk if the risk is losing you. Never. Why can’t you understand that?”
I’ve gotten louder in my agitation, which makes the silence when I’m done much more pronounced.
She doesn’t respond, but I feel the bed shift as she moves. Then, I feel her hands on my stomach first, soft and warm. “Cash?” she whispers.
“Yeah?”
Her hands slide up my chest and circle my neck as she stretches out on top of me. She presses her lips to mine in a feather light kiss. “That’s all you had to say.”
“You didn’t give me a chance to say it,” I mumble against her mouth.
“Next time, lead with that,” she says. I feel her lips spread against mine. I know she’s grinning.
Quickly, I coil my arms around her and roll her onto her back, settling between her spread legs. She’s naked and it takes all of my self-control not to plunge right into her. Her body beckons me like a warm bath on a cold night. Her soul beckons me like a refreshing oasis in the dry desert. And her heart beckons me like a safe harbor beckons a lost ship.
“You mean lead with the fact that I’m in love with you?” I say as I tease her entrance with my already stiff and throbbing head.
“Yes. Always, always lead with that.”
“I’m in love with you, Olivia Townsend,” I whisper as I ease into her. I feel her sigh and I echo it.
“I’m in love with you, Cash Davenport.”
I pull out of her until only my tip rests within her then I slide back in, a little deeper this time. “Promise you’ll never leave me. Stay with me, Olivia. Come home with me tomorrow and stay.”
She pauses, but only for a second. When she speaks, I can hear the smile in her voice.
“I’ll stay with you as long as you want me.”
“I’ll want you with me forever. I never want to spend another night without you. Ever. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to you. I can’t stand the thought of us fighting. I can’t stand the thought of you being anything other than deliriously happy. With me.”
“Then consider me deliriously happy. With you. Always.”
“Always,” I repeat as I cover her mouth with mine. She sighs again as I move inside her. This time, I breathe it in, her breath becoming a part of me as much as she herself has become a part of me. And that’s the way I like it, because I don’t plan on giving either of them back. Not now, not ever.