Page 92 of Rose
Even though every part of him wanted to speak—wanted to tell her how beautiful she was, how hesawher andwantedevery piece she tried to hide—he said nothing. He simply turned, giving her the privacy she needed, even if it killed him not to love the parts of her she couldn’t yet love herself.
Ahzii now sat still, submerged in the hot, relaxing water, the bath bomb he dropped earlier still fizzing faintly in the tub. Her body felt like it was floating—muscles loose, skin soft, the steam wrapping around her like a weighted blanket.
“You can turn around now.”
“I know you’re not gonna have time to go home,” Savior said once he turned back around, his voice low as he leaned against the doorframe. “So pick anything you want from my closet. You love baggy shit—take whatever feels good. Also... take any car. I got business to handle, so I can’t drive you.”
She blinked at him, her brows lifting. “Wait... you’ll let me take any car?”
“Any one,” he confirmed with a shrug, like it was nothing. “Keys are in the garage. Whole key ring. Choose whatever you want.”
She stared at him, unsure if the warmth spreading through her was from the water—or from him.
Savior Carter.
This massive, unhinged man had walked into her life and started peeling back the layers she buried so deep even she forgot they were there. He touched her without flinching. Saw her without blinking. And treated her—scars, attitude, trauma and all—like she was something soft and sacred.
And it terrified her.
Because no matter how much she fought it, she was starting to feel something. Something too familiar. Too dangerous.
The same feeling she once gave away recklessly to a man who tore her world apart.
William.
He was her first everything. Her anchor. Her storm. The man she once trusted her whole future with. The man who died with pieces of her still in his hands. No matter how long it had been, no one had ever touched the space he left behind.
Until now.
And it didn’t feel like cheating on William. It felt like erasing him. Like letting go. Like closing a chapter she swore she’d keep open forever.
And she couldn’t do that.
She wouldn’t.
No matter how sweet Savior was. No matter how good his touch felt. No matter how many bubble baths and car keys he left in her lap… she couldn’t give him that same part of her. Thatlastpart.
Because once she gave it away… there’d be nothing left of the woman William once loved. And part of her still needed to keep that girl alive. Even if it meant pushing Savior away. Even if it meant staying broken.
Ahzii finished soaking in the tub before slipping into Savior’s massive glass shower. The warm water cascaded down her curves, washing away the remnants of last night—the sand caught in her boho braids, the salt in the air, the fire in her body. These braids were coming out today anyway, but for now, she let the water rinse through them, clearing away the last traces of the beach and everything they did on it.
Everything he did to her. She tried not to think about it. But her mind replayed it anyway.
The way he touched her, like he had ownership of every inch. The way he spoke to her, like he saw through the cracks and wanted to kiss every one of them. The way he filled her, slow, deep strokes that touched places inside her body and soul she thought were sealed shut. Her moans echoing against the crashing waves and rushing wind. That mouth. That voice. That dick.
She hated how badly she wanted it again.
Craved it.
She couldn’t attach to the things he said, refused to—but damn if they didn’t make her unravel anyway. Savior wasn’t just giving her what she wanted; he was giving her what hewantedtoo. He didn’t push. He didn’t demand. But he didn’t stop either.
He told her she could be detached, closed off, emotionless.
But he was showing her, in every word, every touch, that he still wantedallof her. And all she had to do… was not crack.
Not feel.
She’d been doing that for a year now. It should be easy.
