Page 136 of His to Save

I want to question her—to demand answers, for her to tell me she loves me. But I swallow down every word that tries to escape. Waiting her out is the least I can do.

I suck in a deep breath and force myself to relax back against the countertop as I exhale.

It feels like hours pass, though it’s probably only minutes before she shuts off the water. I rush forward, and grab the towel, ready to help her over the edge of the tub in case she needs it.

“You’re right,” she whispers as she steps into me. I wrap a towel around her shoulders and hold her against my chest. “You broke my trust, but I know firsthand how stupid fear can make us.”

“I’m so sorry, Pip.”

“I know.” She pulls back and looks up at me. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything. Name it.” I mean it too—any-fucking-thing she says, I’ll find a way to do it.

“Don’t lie to me again, Atlas. Not to me, not ever again.”

“Done.” I draw an X over my heart with my fingertip and then seal my vow with a kiss on her forehead.

She smiles up at me, and it’s the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen, even if she does look exhausted.

“Does that mean you forgive me?” I ask. I know the answer now, but I still need to hear her say it.

“Of course I do.” She rubs her cheek against my now soaking wet shirt. “I love you. Now please can we get dressed, so we can eat right when Ellis gets back? I’m exhausted and want to sleep for like a year.”

“I know, Pip.” I run one hand up her back in a soothing motion. “C’mon, I’ve got you.”

Nora sags against me before sighing and reluctantly stepping out of my embrace.

I strip off my wet shirt and splash my face and chest with cold water before dragging a towel over myself and following after her.

I glance toward the bed as I step out of the bathroom, half expecting Nora to be curled up asleep, but she’s nowhere in sight.

A sniffle sounds from the closet, and I pivot, poking my head in to check on her.

The vision that greets me causes my heart to thump painfully against my ribs. My girl, who’s fought so damn hard to overcome all of the shit she’s gone through, looks absolutely pitiful.

She’s ghostly pale, which only serves to make the bruises marring her skin stand out even more, and looks like she could fall asleep standing up.

“You need help, Pip?” I ask, making sure to keep my tone soft.

“Please,” she whispers, her voice cracking as she curls her shoulders inward, the way she used to when she wanted to make herself seem smaller.

I fucking hate this.I hate that she’s scared, that she’s hurting. But most of all, I hate that I can’t fix it, that I can’t take her pain away. Because if I could, I would. In a fucking heartbeat.

“You look miserable,” I murmur, as I riffle through the drawers for everything she needs.

“That’s because I am.” A drawn-out yawn punctuates her reply.

I set the pile of clothes on top of the dresser and then take a step closer to my girl, softly running my hands over the towel she’s still wrapped up in, making sure she’s good and dry. “C’mon, pretty girl. Let’s get you bundled up.”

Kneeling before her, I help her into a pair of simple cotton panties, followed by a pair of my sweats, which I have to fold the waistband on twice. Even halfway through her pregnancy, Nora’s tiny.

I cradle her belly between my palms, and press a soft kiss to her taut skin, sending up a silent thanks that our little man is okay before standing and tugging one of my shirts over her head.

“Socks or no socks?”

Nora looks at her bare feet and wiggles her toes. “Socks,” she croaks, and I smile, because we both know she will kick them off in the middle of the night.

I grab her favorite pair from the top drawer and drop down to my knees again, quickly tugging them onto her feet.

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