Page 134 of Echoes of You

I pressed my hand to his chest, halting his words. “You were upset. I shouldn’t have hidden what happened from you. I just didn’t want to hurt you. And now, I have. By keeping secrets. By letting a monster into our lives.”

Nash’s arms came around me, pulling me close. “I would put up with a million monsters for you.”

Tears brimmed in my eyes, a few cascading over my lower lids and tracking down my cheeks. “But you shouldn’t have to. You come from a normal family. You don’t welcome abusers into your life. I’m a mess, Nash. And I can’t help but think you’d be better off without me.”

Nash’s grip on me tightened. “Look at me.”

I brought my watery gaze to his.

“See me. See how I’ve loved you since that day in kindergarten. See how there’s been no one in this world who has understood me better than you. See how you make me feel free and accepted and whole. See how I would never want to live a day without you.”

The tears came faster. “Nash…”

“I love you with everything I have. And there is no one more perfect in my eyes than you. Not because you do everything just right, but because you always welcome me just as I am. You are my home, and I never want that to change.”

I pressed my face against his neck, my tears dampening his T-shirt. “I’ve loved you in every incarnation. And I don’t want to miss any future one either.”

“Good. Because I hate to break it to you, but you’re stuck with me.”

A laugh bubbled out of me, and I tipped my head back. “There’s no one I’d rather be stuck with.”

Nash dipped his head and took my mouth in a slow kiss. His tongue parted my lips with teasing strokes. Only when his warmth bled into me did I realize how cold I’d been.

I lost myself in the dance of our mouths, relishing every stroke. Nash’s hand slipped under my T-shirt, exploring my skin. His fingers felt like heaven, but I forced myself to pull back. “We can’t. You need to rest.”

He looked down at me, green eyes blazing. “I needyou.”

I warred with myself. I wanted that closeness with Nash, to feel all of him. But more than that, I wanted him healthy and whole. “You could rip your stitches.”

The corner of Nash’s mouth kicked up. “Not if you do all the work.”

A smile stretched across my face as I shook my head. “You move too much, and I’ll tie you to the bed.”

“Kinky. I like it.” But he was already herding me toward the bedroom.

The second we were inside, he tugged his shirt over his head, letting it fall to the floor.

I wagged my finger back and forth. “I thought I said you weren’t allowed to move too much.”

He arched a brow at that.

I dropped to my knees, untying one boot. “Lift.”

He did, and I pulled it off. Then I repeated the action with the other. I straightened, my fingers going to the button on Nash’s jeans. I unfastened it and lowered the zipper. Tugging his jeans down, I looked up. “Step out.”

My voice was husky, even to my ears.

Nash’s eyes blazed, but he obeyed.

My fingers hooked in the waistband of his boxer briefs. My gaze locked with Nash’s as I pulled them down. I took my time, my fingers skimming down his muscular thighs and the rest of his legs. His cock stood at attention, straining.

The need coursing through Nash’s body made me feel powerful in a way I desperately needed. I leaned forward, taking him into my mouth. Nash groaned. “Mads…”

My tongue swirled from base to tip as Nash’s fingers tangled in my hair. I hollowed my cheeks, sucking him deep.

Nash cursed. “You gotta stop. I’m not gonna last. Need you too badly.”

I pulled back, staring up at him.

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