Page 221 of Indulge
“Didn’t have much of a fashion show at Finn’s.”
“Come on,” she says, slipping her fingers through mine.
I follow her upstairs, Sassy trotting after us like a shadow.
The room smells like her, vanilla and something warm I can’t name. The sunlight’s streaming through the curtains, cutting across the bed that looks too big without both of them in it.
She turns to face me, her expression soft. “Let me help?”
I nod, and she steps closer, unbuttoning my shirt one careful clasp at a time. Each one feels heavier than it should.
When it’s off, she traces her fingers lightly around the bandage on my shoulder.
“Does it hurt?” she whispers.
“Only when you’re not touching me.”
She giggles, her eyes glazing over. “Smooth, Irish. That’s why I fell for you.”
I press my hand over hers against my chest.
“I know yesterday was a lot. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Lyla. I wanted to protect you both from it.” I shake my head. “It’s what I’ve always tried to do. Take the brunt of everything and force myself to deal with it. When I’ve realized, I need to let people in. I need to let you in. Because this would have never happened like that if I’d have just told you and Rowan the truth from the start.”
She sighs, a tear rolling down her cheek.
“You did what you thought was right. You just tried to protect us. There is nothing wrong with that, Reggie. Sometimes, I enjoy being looked after.”
She looks up at me through her lashes.
“Oh, really?”
She nods. “And I’m hoping no more women are going to come forward and claim you or Rowan have impregnated them.”
“Nope. Only one woman I wanna get pregnant, and I’m staring right at her.”
Her breath hitches.
“Wow, Irish. We’ve bypassed the wedding and ran straight to babies.”
I lift my good arm and run my fingers along her throat. “It’s up to you, Princess. I’ve told you before. You have all the power here.”
She nods, the smallest movement. Then she helps me step out of my pants, steady hands guiding me as I change into the clean pair she grabbed from my drawer. It’s domestic, quiet. But it feels sacred somehow.
“Movie day? I used to love those when I was a kid with my brothers.” she asks, and that glint in her eye makes me smile.
“Yeah. I like the sound of that.”
She leans in, kisses me once more; it’s gentle, lingering, like she’s memorizing the feel of me alive and warm beneath her hands.
“I love you, Bella King. I’ll love you forever. For exactly who you are. You want me to walk through the fire with you? I will. You want me to put out the flames for you? I’ll do that. I’ll keep your heart safe, baby. I promise. For the rest of my life, I’ll choose you. Over and over again.”
She smiles despite the tears falling.
“I love you so much, Reggie. Even if I push you to your limits, I know I’m safe with you, that I’m loved and respected. You make me so happy. I can finally be me. And all I want to do is love you, forever.”
I kiss her again, showing her that I meant every word. That my love for her is endless.
“Hungry?” she asks against my lips.
