I grab my bag, then we say goodbye. As I walk to my car, the thought of seeing him makes me nervous. I just hope I can repair this strain between us.
Once I open the door and toss my stuff inside, I notice a single rose attached with twine to something wrapped in brown paper. On top, it reads, To Ivy.
Already knowing it's from Kane, I collapse into the seat, then grab the rose and smell it. Memories flood in from every time he'd bring me one. Carefully, I undo the paper and tear up at the leather journal he’s worked on all summer.
My fingers rub over the cover that's engraved with vines of roses and ivy. In the center, it says, Ivy Rose Callaway.
I never told him my middle name, mostly because I grew up hating it. Kids at school teased me for having double floral names and even started calling me Poison Ivy. It was bad enough that I stuttered a lot, but they had a field day once they heard my mom call it out one time.
But seeing it engraved in Kane's handwriting, I've never loved it more.
Flipping it over, I see the same vine design around the edges, but in the center, he wrote my favorite book quote from the book I'd been reading him. Tears surface in the corners of my eyes. I can't believe he did this. After watching him work on some others, I know this took him hours.
He did a beautiful job, but it means so much more knowing he took the time to make it perfect just for me. And that he remembered the quote I told him I loved.
When I unravel the leather string and open it, I find a handwritten note on the first page.
To my sweet girl,
I've spent the past four days consumed by thoughts of you. I can hardly remember a time in my life without you even though you came into it not that long ago. That's how much of an impact you've had on me and how much of a hole you left when you told me you needed space. I'm willing to give you anything you ask, so if you need more time, I will wait.
I'll wait because I know without a doubt that I'm in love with you.
I'm sorry if that scares you, but when it comes to my feelings, I don’t want to hold back. I did that once before, and it bit me in the ass. So I'm giving you my whole heart. It's yours if you want it.
If by chance you don't, please tell me so I don't hold on to hope.
And if that's what you decide, I still want you to know I will love you until my last breath.
Forever yours,
Kane
I'm a messy sobbing puddle by the time I finish reading. My cheeks are blotchy and covered in tears. The pounding of my heart is all I can hear over my shallow breaths.
I feel so fucking awful for putting him through this. And even though it was only four days, it was four days of pain I caused.
After I set the journal and rose down on the passenger seat, I drive as fast as the gravel road allows. Hopefully, he's home because I don't want to wait another minute to see him.
When his house comes into view, I'm so relieved to see his truck that I don't even bother parking in my secret spot. I rush out of my car and up the porch, then knock. I wait five seconds before trying the knob and decide to let myself in.
“Kane?” I call out, looking around and noticing how nothing's changed since I was here last weekend. My book is still on the coffee table where I was last reading to him.
Guilt floods in as I walk through his living room.
How could I ever walk away from a man who's been nothing but perfect?
As soon as I round the hallway, I hear the shower running. He must've just gotten home from work.
“Kane?” I repeat, not wanting to startle him. Pushing open the bathroom door, I see his naked body surrounded by hot steam.
Sweet Jesus.
Not only does his shower hold some of the best memories we’ve shared, but the view in front of me is enough to bring me to my knees and beg him to touch me again.
I tap my knuckles on the door to alert him, and when he finally turns toward me, my gaze falls to his cock. He's not even erect, and it's still thick and long.
“Ivy.” His deep baritone vibrates through the air as I take a few steps inside.
Turning off the shower, he opens the door and shows off every hard muscle. Then he grabs a towel off the hook and wraps it around his waist.