Page 69 of It Happened Back Then
I press my forehead to hers and close my eyes. We breathe the same air. The kind that feels like forever.
She whispers, “I wish I’d told you back then. About everything.”
I understand why she didn’t. We were young, she was scared. I’ll replay this night over and over, probably compare it to thousands of other conversations throughout the years, seeing the holes, having questions answered, but I’m not mad.
The air feels different. There are no secrets anymore. “You thought you had to protect me.”
She nods, looking down.
“I would’ve chosen you.” my voice cracks. “Don’t ever be afraid to come to me, or to tell me anything because then, now, a thousand years from now, I’ll always choose you.”
The weight of the night finally hits, and she cries. The tears come hard and fast but all I can do is hold her, while doing my best to hold back my own. I need to be strong for us both. She’s unloading a whole decade of hurt and I need to be the man she needs right now, a strong and safe place for her.
“Will you stay with me tonight? Let me hold you.”
She nods. “Please.”
My fingers intertwine with hers and I lead her to my bedroom. I begin to undress her, slowly. I want to take my time, let her feel my love.
Pulling her shirt over her head, I bend and help her step out of her shorts. Seeing her in just a bra and panties, I lay my hand on her belly, which has me feeling things I’ve felt before, but on a whole new level. Protection. Lust.Forever.
We move to the bed, and I lay her down, placing a kiss onher belly before sliding her out of her panties and removing her bra, just looking at her before me, taking her in. “You’re fucking beautiful, Blossom.”
I quickly shed my clothes and lay down next to her, loving the feel of her body pressed against mine. I kiss down her neck, flick at her nipple, and when she arches her back, I dip my head low and kiss her belly again. Nipping with my teeth then soothing with a lick, I tickle her where our love grows.
I rise above her, eyes locked on hers, and when I enter her, it’s slow and deliberate. One deep thrust and everything else falls away. Another, and I can’t stop, I can’t get close enough. There’s no sound but the rhythm of skin meeting skin, the movement of the bed, her breath catching beneath mine.
“I’m glad you told me.” I whisper and she wraps her arms around me, holding me tight. She’s had years to come to terms with this, but I’ve had an hour, so while I say I’m okay, I still need her to put me back together.
I move with purpose, not just to feel her, but toclaimthis moment. She needs to know, as much as I do, that we’re going to be alright. “I’m never leaving you.”
Her nails dig into my back, and I welcome the sting. Every clench of her around me feels like a promise, or maybe forgiveness. Like we’re healing wounds I didn't know were there, but together we can move forward.
“There’s no one who fits me better than you.” I thrust deeper, slower, then harder, reminding her who I am to her, reminding her who we are as a couple underneath all the hurt and miscommunication. All the texts and late-night conversations. All the years between us and even just nights where there was only a windowpane to crawl through to get to her.
My forehead rests against hers, slick with sweat. Webreathe together, gasping, trembling, the moment growing bigger than either of us.
I feel something shift between us as I slide my arms under her back, holding her shoulders for leverage so I can pour all of myself into her. We’re not just making love. We’rerememberinghow it was, we’re growing it into more, and we’re never giving it up.
“I’m inlovewith you, Blossom.”
And when we both come together, her cry is soft against my mouth, and I whisper her name like it’s the only word that’s ever mattered.
Right now, there is no past.
Only us, in this bed, our love and our future.
Together.
CHAPTER 36 - BENNETT
I’ve been sitting in my truck out in front of my parents’ house for the last ten minutes trying to cool off, but it’s of no use. My hands grip the steering wheel as I think about my dad interfering in mine and Blossom’s relationship all those years ago.
Giving up, I exit my truck, stride up the walkway and barge inside. Knowing Mom is at the grocery store, I don’t bother easing my way into it. I need this time alone to confront my dad.
"We need to talk."
He’s sitting in his chair, newspaper in hand, barely giving me a glance as I come in. “Hello, son. How are you?”
