His lips begin to move against mine, the kiss tentative, as if he’s more focused on my reaction than the actual kiss.
When it feels like he’s going to pull back, I urgently whisper, “Don’t stop.”
I feel his mouth curve up into a grin, and then he deepens the kiss. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, and it makes me press closer to him. The kiss goes from cautious to desperate, as if Christopher is trying to reassure me of how much I mean to him.
It means everything to me. This is the kiss I’ll always remember. Not the first we had in his office. Not the ones when he made love to me.
This one is everything.
It’s healing, calming, uplifting.
I know things won’t magically come right, and there’s still a long road of healing ahead of me, but as long as I have Christopher, I know I’ll be okay. I’ll make it back to who I once was.
I was strong and independent because Christopher always encouraged me.
I felt beautiful and sexy because that’s how he saw me.
I might not deserve him, but he’s giving himself to me anyway.
Christopher slows the kiss, and then he says, “You’re my life.”
I bury my face against his neck, and closing my eyes, I whisper, “You’re the reason I’m still here.”
“I just wish I found you sooner,” he murmurs.
I shake my head. “No, I mean, you’re the reason I didn’t give up. I held out because of you.”
“My fighter,” he whispers, his voice filled with emotion.
Chapter 27
CHRISTOPHER
Dash ducks her head into the crook of my neck, and her breath warms my skin as she says, “You’re all that matters.” Her voice hitches. “It only matters what you think. What you say.”
It sounds like she’s trying to recondition herself, and it has me murmuring, “That’s right, beautiful. Don’t think of what he said. You’re so fucking strong. You can heal from this. Okay? If you start doubting anything, tell me. I’ll keep reassuring you until you believe it.” I press my mouth to the side of her head. “God, you’re so precious to me.”
Her breath flutters over her lips and against my neck as if she just let out a sigh of relief.
“You’re mine, Dash,” I whisper, my arms tightening around her. “You’ve always been mine. Feeling your body, your warmth, your arms clinging to me, it’s life. If I had lost you… there’d be no tomorrow.”
“Only you…” her voice sounds so fucking small, “matter.”
I keep pressing kisses to her hair, and moving a hand to behind her neck, I brush my fingers over her soft skin. After a while, her body relaxes into mine as she falls asleep.
Finally, having Dash back in my arms, I can’t bring myself to move her to the bed.
Burying my face in her hair, I take a deep breath of her.
I love you so fucking much, Dash.
God, I love you so much.
I spent the night holding Dash, and when the sun begins to brighten the apartment, I still have no intention of letting go of her.
Dash begins to stir, and for a moment, she stiffens before her body relaxes again. Lifting her head, she squints around us, then she presses her forehead against my shoulder. “You sat with me the whole night?” Placing her hands on my shoulders, she moves back and gets up. “You must be so tired.”
“Not at all,” I murmur as I move to the edge of the couch. It takes a moment for life to return to my legs, and then I push to my feet. “I’ll get the coffee going.”
Just then, my phone begins to ring. Seeing it’s the concierge downstairs, I frown. “Yes?”
“Morning, Mr. Hayes. There’s a Miss Sebastian to see you.”
I let out a chuckle. “Send her up.”
“Right away, sir.”
Ending the call, I smile as I glance at Dash. “Miss Sebastian’s here.”
A minute later, the elevator doors slide open, and a whirlwind of color descends on Dash. “Morning, my godbaby.” Her eyes sweep over Dash, then she looks at me. “Did you stay up all night?”
I shake my head. “We talked and fell asleep on the couch.”
Miss Sebastian waves her hands. “Go do whatever you do first thing in the morning. I’ll fix coffee and breakfast.”
“You don’t have to –” I begin, but she indicates for me to keep quiet with her finger over her mouth.
“I’ve already made up my mind, and my bedazzled ass will be here every day from now on.”
“But your work?” Dash asks.
“Early retirement. You’re more important,” Miss Sebastian says.
Dash’s eyes widen. “I’ll go back to work at some point. What then?”
“You’re going to have babies, right?” Miss Sebastian asks.
“Ahh…” Dash’s eyes dart to me, and it has me jumping in. “Are you saying I don’t have to worry about getting a nanny?”
A wide smile spreads over Miss Sebastian’s face. “I was there the day Dash was born, and I’ll be there the day she brings my grandbabies into this world.”