Page 102 of Corrupt Me

“I know, angel.”

With my story out, my head drops, shame pouring over me. If that hadn’t happened to me, I would have long ago realized my feelings for Bailey, been the best version of myself for her, and not behaved like an immature prick.

She jumps into my arms, holding me tight. “You’re so strong, Hunter. Look at me and see how I see you.”

I lift my chin slowly to find only adoration and awe brimming in her eyes. Burying my face in her neck, I break out in tears. I wrap my arms around hers, but she’s the one holding me together. I am safe with her.

“I love you. I’m never going to leave you. I have you,” she repeats, lulling me into a cocoon of pure security. That teenager in me feels safe for the first time, and I can finally forgive myself.

She dabs my tears away with soft strokes and kisses my eyelids gently. “It was not your fault. Do you hear me? There’s no reason to be ashamed. You’re a survivor of abuse. That only makes you strong and never weak.”

Every word coming out of her mouth is dipped in belief, easing everything in me.

“You always say the right things.” I doubt this woman will ever cease to amaze me. Her power over me is not terrifying but healing.

Her eyes lock onto mine. “You said you don’t deserve me. I only wish to deserve you. Tell me what you need. Take whatever you want from me.”

Her words ignite a fiery demand in me to connect to her and never let her go. All I desire is to belong to her. Now that I found her, I will never let her go. She rooted herself in my life’s fabric and stitched together all the holes in my being. There’s nothing but peace, rapture, and love. That is such a surreal experience. I touch her to assure myself she’s real and I haven’t conjured her even though I could have never pictured something this perfect.

Rolling her onto her back, I lay on my palms above her while she gazes at me with unadulterated love and pure softness. I will take care of her, protect her at any cost, and always make sure I am worthy of this precious gift and the wonder of my life. All mine. All perfect.

Brushing my nose against hers, I say, “You’re perfect, my beautiful girl. So damn perfect.”

“Can I touch you?”

“Bailey—”

She cuts me off by quickly adding, “You never had a choice then. But this is your first time, okay? There was no one before me. There’s only ever me.”

I am aware of what she’s doing and, fuck, she ruins me in the best way.

“I’m bloody mad about you. You can touch me. I only want your touch. Now and forever.”

She lifts her dainty hands and holds my face. We stay like this for a while, savoring the skin-on-skin contact. Her gentle touch caresses me like a cleansing balm, healing me inch by inch. There’s nothing sexual about this moment, even though desire thrums under my skin, reverberating through my body. But for now, it’s just us and the need to cherish.

“I want only your touch too.”

“You better. You’re mine and mine alone, kitten.”

A radiant smile blooms on her face. “No complaints on my part.”

Our faces draw nearer, and when our mouths seal, nothing else exists. She tethers me to her, grounding me in safety. She’s my home, what I look forward to. We have been corrupting each other in some ways, but what we have done even more is save each other. I’ve finally stopped running around, no longer desperate to stay ahead of my demons.

“You’re my first and my last, Bailey.”

She tugs at my shirt, lifts my arms, then scoots up and throws it to the side. I stand up and unbutton my jeans while she undresses herself.

“No, you’re mine to unwrap. You’re my present, love. And if all that mental and physical abuse meant I get to have you, it was worth it. I’d endure it a hundred times over because I know what all the torment would bring me in the end. You.”

“Yours, Hunter… from the inside out.” Her fingers still as she stares at my naked body. To witness the spark in her eyes, loving what she sees, is such a potent high. “It’s unreal the way you look…”

“I better remain in shape then.”

She tilts her head, looking me in the eye. “I’d love you, anyway. My love is not conditional.”

I believe her because a calmness envelops me.

“But I won’t lie and say I don’t love all that physical perfection. No wonder all those girls can’t keep staring at you—like vultures.”

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