Page 45 of Love Beyond Repair
His hands roam over my backside, rough, pulling my bikini bottoms aside. Then, in one swift, desperate move, he thrusts, stretching me wide. I cry out, muffled against his lips. He’s deep. Deeper than I’ve ever felt him.
His rhythm is fast, urgent, the water rocking with us, salt on our skin, sun on our faces. My back scrapes against the stone, pain blending with pleasure, sharpening everything. My body clenches around him, pulling him over the edge with me. He bites down on my shoulder, groaning into my neck as he finds his release. We stay like that for a long moment, drenched in salt, sweat, and aftershock.
Then he leans back, grinning. “Told you I wouldn’t let you go.”
I trace circles on his back, unable to respond, memorizing the feel of him. The words he just said moments ago—I wouldn’t let you go—echo through me, fragile and dangerous all at once.
Hell, I hope he means it. I hope that when we return to our normal lives, he’ll hold on just as tightly as he has now.
Because I’ve seen what happens when Ben walks away. He left Kelsey, and I’m not sure I could survive him leaving me.
***
On our final evening, we head out to a small beachfront restaurant. It’s quaint and romantic, with fairy lights hung around the terrace, and the only music playing is the sound of lapping waves.
Ben has been quiet today. His regular glances at his phone tell me all I need to know. He’s nervous about going home, more concerned than I am, maybe. I want to ask him what’s wrong, but don’t want to ruin what we’ve enjoyed. Once we’re back in London, we can face it together. So, I stay quiet, hold his hand, and kiss his lips whenever I can. I'm here for him, and I want him to know it.
I’m wearing his favorite white lace dress with no underwear. The shock on his face was hilarious when I ran his hand up the inside of my thigh in the taxi. A hint of what was in store for him when we got home tonight.
We sit across the tiny table from each other. A single candle burns in a green bottle, and the wax dribbles down the side. The meal was exquisite. Course after course of seafood perfection. A woman selling single red roses approaches. Ben buys one and presents it to me like it’s a diamond ring. I laugh and accept it willingly.
He holds my face in his hands and kisses me. It is gentle, but full of possession.
“I adore you, Bex,” he murmurs, his voice low, almost breaking. “You complete me.”
Tears prick my eyes. I kiss him back, hard and greedy.
“I love you, too.”
We hold each other for what seems like forever. He kisses me again, and I fall further. The look in his eyes tells me he feels it, too. We’ve each found our soul mate, but that change in him is still there. I can sense it.
A quiet cough from behind us breaks the moment, and we look up into the embarrassed eyes of our server. He offers us a drink to finish our meal, and we both accept happily.
Sitting with the man I love, full and satisfied after a delicious meal in the most beautiful place, really is the most wonderful feeling. My mind wanders to what may wait for us at home. Everyone will have had time to consider our relationship. My stomach somersaults as I imagine the verdict waiting for us.
But I know if we face it together, we will be fine.
Chapter twenty-three
Ben
I hit play on the latest message. Her voice is breathless, pained.
I need you. Please, Ben. I won’t survive this.
Kelsey’s messages have flooded my phone for forty-eight hours. Each one more panicked and desperate than the last. I ignored them. I told myself it was nothing. That it always was. Until now. Until I received a voicemail from my mother.
Ben, this is your mother. A disaster is unfolding in your partner of a decade’s life. It’s time to stop pissing around and remember where yourloyalties lie.
Not wanting to ruin the time Bex and I shared, I hadn’t told her about the calls. And yes, I feel guilty.
But she looks so happy, glowing, full of joy. The last thing I wanted to do was destroy that. She hinted a question as to why I was subdued, and I lied that I was just enjoying the moment. She continued to hold my hand and kiss me as we lounged around the villa or wandered the local streets.
We’ve had the most amazing two weeks together. Making love in the sea, wandering naked around the villa, and spending our nights in each other’s arms. Then, last night, she took my breath away by telling me she loves me. It was unexpected and beautiful. The perfect end to a perfect holiday. I wanted to say it back, but… the words never came, even though they’re true.
The plane touches down on the runway, and I look out the window at the gray London sky. It mirrors the heaviness inside me. But then I glance at Bex, and for a moment, feel lighter.
Her skin is sun-kissed, and her hair has brightened in the Spanish sunshine. She looks relaxed and happy with her nose stuck in a book ? judging by the half-naked man on the cover, a romance. I could tell when she was reading a naughty part as her breathing hitched ever so slightly, the way it does when I run my fingers up the inside of her thigh unexpectedly. Soft eyes meet mine, and I try to smile. Shefrowns slightly, then leans forward, kissing the side of my mouth.
