Page 61 of Loving Violet
Chapter 22
Austin
I stand in the bathroom,the cool water from the sink splashing over my hands as I wash away the remnants of my moment with Violet.
My mind races, replaying every recent memory with her. My heart pounds as I realize the reality of holding her in my arms, her body entwined with mine, is so much better than any dream I’ve ever had. My reflection in the mirror shows a man who is utterly captivated, a man who has found something he never thought possible.
Is this what falling in love looks like?
I can’t believe she’s mine. The thought sends a rush of warmth through me, an insatiable need to be near her, to feel her, to love her. Every second spent away from her feels like an eternity, and I know, without a doubt, that I’m in love with her. Deeply, irrevocably in love.
I dry my hands and grab a small, soft hand towel, wetting it slightly. As I walk back to the bedroom, the sight of her lying there, a satisfied and content smile on her face, fills my heart with an overwhelming sense of happiness. I move quietly to her side, my eyes never leaving hers
"Hey," I whisper softly, not wanting to startle her. "I just want to clean you up a bit."
She nods, her eyes half-closed but still fixed on me. Gently, I run the damp towel over her skin, cleaning the mess that I made. She shivers slightly at the touch, but I can see the trust and contentment in her eyes. It’s a moment of pure intimacy, and I cherish it.
“No one has ever taken care of me this way,” Violet whispers.
“Well, get used to it. I will always take care of you, always,” I say as I keep working on cleaning her.
I look at Violet and see that her eyes are welling up. A lonely tear spills out of her left eye and I lean over to catch it with a kiss.
“Thank you, Austin.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I love taking care of you. Just, let me. Baby, with us, there will never be any regrets.”
Violet gives me the most beautiful smile and softly kisses my lips. I continue to clean her up and after I’m done, I toss the towel aside and slide into bed next to her. She nestles against me, her head resting on my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. The feel of her warm, soft body against mine is a sensation I never want to end.
Violet feels like home.
We lie there in a comfortable silence, the room filled with the soft sounds of our breathing. Just as I’m starting to drift off, Violet’s voice breaks the quiet.
“Austin,” she murmurs, her voice heavy with sleep.
“Yeah?” I reply, my hand gently stroking her hair.
“That was the best experience I’ve ever had,” she says, her words a tender caress to my soul. It sends a gentle thrill through me knowing I’m the best and that it’s only going to get better.
I smile, my heart swelling with love and pride. “For me too, Violet. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, dreamed of, and so much more.” If she only knew that she has become the center of my world. I won’t ever stop trying my best to make her and Adrian happy.
She sighs contentedly, snuggling even closer. “I’m so happy.”
“Me too, my beautiful mountain flower,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Me too.”
As Violet’s breathing slows, her soft, steady rhythm lulling me into a state of calm, I can’t help but feel like I’m on top of the damn world. She’s here, in my arms, wrapped around me like she belongs, and for the first time in years, everything feels right.
I glance down at her, her hair spilling across the pillow in messy waves, her face relaxed in a way that makes my chest ache. I made her mine tonight, and I still can’t quite believe it.
How the hell did another man have this woman, this incredible, beautiful, resilient woman, and not see what he had? Was he blind? Or just stupid? I can’t wrap my head around how someone could go through years of their life without touching her, without cherishing her.
I let my hand drift over her bare shoulder, my fingers brushing lightly against her soft skin. Every curve, every line of her body feels like it was meant to perfectly fit with mine. And her laugh, her wit, the fire in her eyes, how could anyone take that for granted?
His loss is my gain. That thought grounds me, but it also fills me with a sense of responsibility. Because she’s been hurt before. She’s been made to feel less than, and I can see the traces of that pain in her guarded moments, in the way her insecurities tried to creep in earlier tonight. But I’ll erase every bit of it, one day at a time.
She deserves to feel wanted, adored, loved beyond measure. And I’m going to make sure she never questions how much she means to me.
I tighten my hold on her, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head as I let my eyes drift closed.
