Page 75 of Billion Dollar Revenge

Three letters that hit my core and make me fold over.

“I want to be my whole self with you. The way we share the same pain makes it hard for me to deny what we have, and how I want to be with you.”

My mouth opens and closes, and no response forms.

“Loud, unapologetically me, without worrying you will hurt me.”

“That’s beautiful.”

“Like you,” he says, skimming my face with his hand.

Under hooded eyes, I watch him blink his eyes open and they are brighter now. I expect him to pull out immediately and dispose of the condom, but he gives me a shit-eating grin before kissing my lips in a bruising claim.

When he pulls back, he whispers, “Thank you.”

“What for?” I ask in a daze.

“For tonight. For being you.”

I stare up at his dangerous smile, because he doesn't smile very often, so I know it's special at this moment.

“You're so beautiful when you smile,” I blurt out.

He shakes his head and kisses me more tenderly. “You’re the beautiful one, baby. Now let me clean you up.”

I nod, humming with satisfaction. He leaves the bathroom, and I hear the tap turn on. Is he running the tub?

Peeling myself up out of his comfortable bed, I walk to see him beside it, adding candles and bath scents.

He must sense me because as soon as I hit the entry, he turns. “You ready?”

I step over to him and take his hand, moving to the side of the tub.

Sitting down, I sigh as the warm water covers me. My eyes drift closed. “Now this is going to be hard to get out of.”

“Stay in as long as you want.”

I open my eyes, lips forming a small pout. “You aren’t joining me?”

“I need to get you some food. You haven’t eaten.”

“I’m not hungry,” I say quickly.

“But you haven’t eaten.”

“It’s okay.”

“You’ll sleep better after you eat,” he says softly, yet firmly. I could get used to having someone care for me like this.

“It’s fast food anyway.”

“Oh, our Chick-fil-A order.”

He chuckles at my high-pitched voice.

“Yes.”

“Well, now I changed my mind,” I say, settling back down into the tub, allowing my head to lay back on the headrest behind me.

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