Page 121 of Only Ever You

Faye’s eyes glinted like she was up to no good. “Fishing for compliments now, are we?”

“No.” Not about his appearance, at least. “It’s just nice to hear you say these things.”

They were still naked – which was marginally perilous when handling such a frozen, drippy dessert – but Bash hadn’t felt this comfortable to simply exist naked next to somebody else, purely talking, ever.

He didn’t mind the second Faye took to think, because her answer was more than he could’ve ever expected.

“I like how much you make me laugh,” she said softly, longingly. “I like the warmth of your hugs and how you tug your ear when you’re nervous, and this freckle right here is really adorable. I think you’re brave for how much you open up, even when it’s hard for you. And I appreciate how much you do for me. I don’t think I’ve ever told you that. You go out of your way a lot, Bash, when you don’t have to. From when I started the bakery to running with me when it’s dark, you always come when I need someone.”

Damn it,his eyes went misty. “You do a lot for me too, Faye. You’re my chainsaw.”

“I’m your—what?” Faye’s gentle laugh mirrored the confusion twisting her face.

“That didn’t come out right.” Bash un-scrunched his eyes and put his empty bowl on the nightstand. Moving closer, he angled himself to face her.

“My chainsaw,” he explained. “You help me cut through my unhealthy habits, you always have. Yes, I noticed. You telling me it was okay to eat that doughnut the other morning is just one example.”

There were so many times where it was as though she’d read his intrusive thoughts creeping in before he had and encouraged him to shove them away. Most days he was able to regulate himself, but sometimes he just needed that little extra help.

Bash knew for certain he wouldn’t be half of who he was now if he didn’t have Faye there in his life.

The smile on her lips slowly slipped. Wanting to touch her, Bash circled his thumb lazily around her knee.

“I never want you to be unwell,” she said, mirroring his action in stroking her thumb across his tattoo, the one he’d gotten just for her. “And I’m glad you’ve trusted me to tell me about it.”

Bash held Faye’s gentle eyes for a moment, then moved her bowl sitting empty between them to the nightstand so he could lean over and kiss her. He wouldn’t ever get enough of the bonfires that she lit in his heart. Cupping her jaw in his palm as he poured out his appreciation in a slow, reverent kiss, Faye responded to his lips like this ease was both new and what had always been between them.

Bash sifted his fingers up through her hair when they pulled apart, which in itself kept them close, eyes bouncing between hers.

“I should’ve told you a thousand times that you are so …gorgeous,” he said, sighing because he couldn’t quite believe that she existed. So beautiful inside and out. Faye’d brought up his dating life, but he couldn’t have ever pretended to be in love with someone else for the rest of his days whenshewas always just out of reach.

The corners of Faye’s mouth tugged right before she dipped her head.

“I’m serious!” Bash protested to how she shied away from his gaze. “And I won’t let you tell me that you’re not. I won’t even let you think it.”

Faye curled her knees up towards her stomach, bringing her attention somewhere near to his jaw. “I never thought you were attracted to me.”

If she still believed that, then he hadn’t done a very good job just now. Tucking his fingers under her chin, Bash coaxed her eyes up to his, a lazy smile on his face.

“I have been for a decade, Peanut,” he promised. “I guess that I can let myself be more obvious about it from now on.”

If she knew just how many times he’d had to stop himself from turning his casual, affectionate touches into something more, then she would’ve known how much he wanted her a long time ago.

His skin tickled where Faye began to brush her fingers up and down his arm. He’d completely forgotten that he was naked, though it was impossible to forget that she was too whilst they sat here between pillows and blankets. Unashamed, Bash stole as many glances at every inch of her as he could, finding freckles that he didn’t know existed above her waist and on her thighs.

Faye curled her lip between her teeth before she uttered, “I don’t know if this was just a one time thing, or?—”

He frowned. “Why would it only be that?”

“Well … I’m leaving London, Bash. For a year. Maybe more …”

“Faye, if you think that the length of England and a few hours of driving is going to stop this” – Bash gestured between them – “from being exactly what it should be, then you’re wrong, Peanut. I’ve waited thislong to have you, I’m not going to let you go now that we’re not just a fantasy anymore.”

Her features softened as she slowly blinked, hopefully accepting that what he’d said was true.

Bash shifted himself and began to lay back against the headboard. He opened his arm out wide and waited while Faye grabbed the green throw blanket and pulled it over them. One of them would have to get out of bed to turn the light off, but he’d worry about that later.

It was their first night sharing a bed as a couple and Bash wouldn’t let anything ruin that.

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