Page 20 of When You're Gone
“I love you, too. And Ireallylove slow mornings,” he added as he ground his erection into her ass, making his intentions clear.
“Simmer down,” she scolded playfully. “My dad’s downstairs making breakfast.”
Rhett’s body froze behind her. In the next breath, he removed his arm from around her waist.
Now it was her turn to burst out laughing.
“Um, Ev? Did you forget that we’re married?”
She felt his posture relax as he worked an arm around her front once more. He chuckled softly, the stubble on his jaw brushing against the sensitive skin stretched between her collarbone and neck.
“Yeah,” he admitted. “I guess I did. Worrying about your dad finding me up here in your room is just ingrained in me after all those years of sneaking around. I love the man, but that death stare he does…” Rhett shuddered before he kissed down along her spine.
“What are all these marks on your back, V?” he asked in alarm.
“Oh… I accidentally slept in that bra I was wearing last night.”
He grazed his fingertips over the grooves in her skin. “You couldn’t even feel it, could you?” His voice was husky with concern as he continued to plant kisses along her curves.
“No. It sucks,” she confessed, tears prickling in her eyes. “What if I can’t ever feel you touch me again?”
“Hey, hey,” he soothed. “It’ll be okay. I know it’s miserable right now. But I have faith in Dr. Brennan. Remember what she told us after your surgery? She said you were an ideal candidate for nerve preservation, V. She was so confident it went well and that you’d regain a significant amount of feeling. Plus, when you told her about the pain last week…”
“I know. I’m hopeful, but I just didn’t know it would be this hard.”
He wrapped his arms around her tighter, holding her and letting her cry. She appreciated that he didn’t try to talk her out of her feelings or offer up suggestions like he was prone to do. This wasn’t something Rhett could fix, and they both knew it. She had undergone two major surgeries in the span of six months. She just needed time to adjust. To heal. To figure out what was next and make peace with her new normal.
“I’m sorry it sucks right now. But now is not forever.” He rested his chin on her shoulder, then leaned forward to kiss away one of her tears. “I love you. I love every part of you.”
“I love you, too.” She sniffled, feeling a little calmer as he held her. The man she loved was lying beside her. The man she had loved for almost half her life, the man who was now her husband. She didn’t want to waste any more time crying.
“What can I do for you? Do you want to stay in bed awhile? We can stay in bed all day if that’s what you want.”
“No,” she decided. “I want to get up, get dressed, and go have breakfast with my dad.”
“That’s my girl,” he encouraged as he kissed her again before rising out of bed. “It’s going to be a really good day, V. I can promise you that.”
She rolled her eyes and sat up. “Oh, believe me, I’ve been told time and time again this week that a Jake and RhettBirthdayParty is a whole new level of debauchery.”
Rhett cocked one eyebrow and smiled. “If you love the party tonight, I get the credit.”
“And if I don’t?” she challenged.
“Please just remember that your bisexual backup husband has a mind of his own, and that he rarely takes no for an answer.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He just shook his head and grinned.
“Everhett! Tell me what he’s planning right now!” she demanded.
Her husband ignored her, collected his clothes, and headed for the bathroom.
It was almost eleven by the time they had both showered, snuck in a quickie, dressed, and joined her dad for breakfast. She beamed at him as he set all her favorites on the table.
“I wanted to make you a special birthday breakfast, but I guess this is more of a brunch.” Her dad chuckled as he finally sat down in his usual seat.
“Everything looks great,” she said as she cut into a waffle. She reached for her coffee and took a long sip, savoring the warm, familiar jolt of caffeine. Her dad made the best coffee.
