No, that wasn’t true. I had let my fear push her away.
“No, angel, I’m not.”
She took a single step closer, then stopped herself.
Opening my arms, I said hoarsely, “I’m sorry, Eva.”
She came to me in a rush, her body lush and warm. I held her too tightly, but she didn’t complain. Pressing my cheek to the top of her head, I breathed in her scent. I could face anything—I would face anything—as long as she stayed with me.
“I’m afraid.” My voice was scarcely a whisper, but she heard it.
Her fingers dug into the muscles of my back as she pulled me closer. “Don’t be. I’m here.”
“I’ll try harder,” I promised. “Don’t give up on me.”
“Gideon.” She sighed, her breath soft against my chest. “I love you so much. I just want you to be happy. I’m sorry for pushing you after I said I wouldn’t.”
“It’s my fault. I f**ked up. I’m sorry, Eva. So sorry.”
“Shh. You don’t have to apologize.”
I picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down carefully. I crawled into her arms, wrapping myself around her and resting my face against her belly. She ran her fingers through my hair, massaging my scalp, then my nape, then my back. Accepting me, despite all my flaws.
The cotton of her T-shirt grew wet with my tears and I curled in tighter, ashamed.
“I love you,” she murmured. “I’ll never stop.”
—
GIDEON.
I stirred at the sound of Eva’s voice, then at the feel of her hand sliding down my chest. Opening my tired, burning eyes, I saw her leaning over me, the room softly lit by the coming dawn, her hair aglow in the meager light.
“Angel?”
She shifted, sliding a leg over me. Rising, she straddled me. “Let’s make today our best ever.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m on board with that plan.”
Her smile rocked my world. She reached for something she’d left on her pillow and a moment later, haunting strains of music piped softly out of the speakers in the ceiling.
It took me a moment to recognize it. “Ave Maria.”
She touched my face, her fingertips gliding over my brow. “Okay?”
I wanted to answer her, but my throat was too tight. I could only nod. How could I tell her it felt like a dream, a breathtaking heaven I didn’t deserve?
She reached behind her to push the sheet below my h*ps and out of the way. Her arms crossed her torso to pull her shirt up and over her head. She threw it aside.
Awed, I struggled for my voice. “God, you’re beautiful,” I said hoarsely.
My hands lifted, gliding over the plush curves and valleys of her voluptuous body. I sat up and dug my heels into the bed, pushing us backward until I was leaning against the headboard. My hands went into her hair and down her throat. I could touch her for days and not get my fill.
“I love you,” she said, tilting her head to take my mouth in a hot, demanding kiss.
I let her have me, opening to her. Eva licked deep, stroking me with her tongue, her lips soft and wet against mine.
“Tell me what you need,” I murmured, lost to the gently muted music. Lost to her.