Page 128 of Lily In The Valley
Minutes passed. Or maybe hours. She lay in front of me, her spine flush against my chest, her skin warm and slick with the echoes of us. My arm curled tight around her waist, holding her like she might drift away if I let go. I pressed a kiss to the back of her neck. She exhaled as if I’d reached her chest and touched something sacred.
Karter’s snores rumbled from the living room like a lullaby. Somewhere out there, the world kept turning. But in here, it was just us. She reached down and laced our fingers. Her thumb brushed over mine.
“You good?” I asked softly, lips against her shoulder.
She nodded. “I feel full in every way possible.”
“This wasn’t just sex,” I whispered.
She turned to me, her eyes heavy, glassy, but clear. “I know.”
“I meant every part of what I said. Every word. Every touch.” I kissed her again. “I love you, Kelly.”
Her breath hitched, and I felt her swallow. “I love you, Khalil.”
I pressed my fingers to her lips. “Say it again.”
“I love you, Khalil,” she repeated, laughing, a single tear escaping.
“I’m here,” I promised. “I’m not going anywhere.”
We stayed like that, our hearts syncing, skin cooling. I pulled the blankets up around us, careful not to let the air steal the warmth between us. She sighed and tucked herself deeper into my hold. In that breath between heartbeats, I didn’t just know she was mine.
I knew I was hers.
Chapter 38
Kelly
I wokeup reaching for him. The other side of the bed was still warm, but empty. Khalil had left before the sun even rose. I’d barely closed my eyes after seeing him out and getting back in bed before Karter started his barking from his cage. I rolled over as the sharp yips filtered into my bedroom. I inhaled, smelling the remnants of him–smoky sandalwood lingering in the threads of my sheets.
He was gone.
My chest ached like a bruise I’d forgotten was still tender.
I rolled out of bed, padding to my living room where Karter nipped at the door of his cage. His head popped up at my sigh while his tail thumped on his doggy bed. “Good morning, my sweet boy,” I said, my voice still groggy from sleep. He licked my face and jumped out of my arms, trotting around the apartment looking for his new favorite adversary. When his hunt went futile, he gave a quiet whine.
“Yeah,” I murmured, rubbing behind his ears. “I miss him, too.”
After filling Karter’s food and water bowl, I freshened up and journaled by the window. The Seattle morning was cool andgray, mist curling around the trees like it was trying to hold onto its secrets a little longer. The rising sun made the little water droplets sparkle like gossip ready to spread like wildfire.
I put on a workout set, got Karter in his harness, and decided to take us on a walk. Music played in my headphones, but I didn’t hear it. Karter and I walked the same path we’d taken a few days ago with Khalil. While it looked the same, it wasn’t the same. My heart stirred. My nose prickled with the tell-tale sign of tears to follow. I let myself feel it all. The lingering warmth of his presence in my soul. The ache of his absence in my heart.
My cell phone buzzed in my crossbody bag. I took it out and a picture of my dad filled the screen. I answered with a smile and sat on a nearby bench.
“Hey, baby girl,” he answered, big and boastful.
“Hi, Daddy,” I replied. Karter barked from his perched spot on the ground.
“I told you I taught the dog how to speak English,” he said, cocky as ever.
“He’s only barking because he thinks you can give him treats through the phone.” I laughed.
“How you feeling?”
“Good. Taking it day by day.”
“Why you look so sad then?”
