and let them fall. I want to see Brick’s eyes as he talks.
“That being said, how do you feel about us? I want to take our relationship further, but I won’t do so unless I know where your head is at.”
He stops talking and cups the side of my head.
“If you’re not ready for me at this moment, then I’ll back off a little,” he leans in close enough that our breaths mingle together. “But know this. I will never walk away. I will never let you go. You are mine, baby. I’ll wait for you until you’re ready for me. But don’t you ever doubt that our futures are already written.” He kisses my nose. “You and me, baby. It’s going to happen.”
Well, dang! What do I say to all of that?
I remember what he said, and I close my eyes and focus on my feelings. Not the sense of feeling protected. I push aside the fact that Brick is putting his life on hold just to help me.
I think about how he pushes me to get better. How he never gets angry when I say I don’t want to use my voice. How he softly smiles when he thinks I’m not looking and flat out smiles seductively when he knows I am.
I think of the soft touches, the gentle kisses, and warm hugs.
I think of how he’s always making me laugh, how he’s making me want to laugh even when I’m scared. I’m remembering every night wrapped in his arms while he fights away the nightmares.
The proud look on his face when he introduces me as ‘his woman’. I focus on that warm feeling in my heart that intensifies when he looks at me with eyes filled with so much care.
And I know my answer without a single doubt.
I open my eyes and see Brick watching me with a soft smile. I sit up on the bed and look down at him.
All or nothing, Jessalyn. Give him all or nothing. Here it goes.
I clear my throat a few times before I feel ready. Time to test out my voice.
“I love you, Brick.”
His eyes widen to match my own. My voice sounds almost normal. It’s a little scratchier than it used to be, but nothing that makes me sound broken.
I smile.
“I’m not broken,” I say, testing out my voice again. “Brick, I’m not broken, and I love you.”
The tears fall freely down my face. Don’t ask me why I’m crying. It must be the buildup of fear and stress that I’ve been under. This moment of happiness has overwhelmed me.
Brick laughs, pulls me on top of his body, and holds me tight.
“You love me. Thank fuck!” he says.
I rest my head against his chest and just enjoy the moment.
“I love you, too, baby,” he whispers against the top of my head. “I love you so fucking much that I want to steal you away and spend the rest of our lives together completely alone.”
I raise my head and rest my chin on my folded arms.
“You would miss your family way too much,” I say. Still shocked at my own voice. “And my daddy would kill you.”
Brick laughs. “Right you are, darlin’.” He runs his fingers through my hair. “And just so you know, I never thought you were broken without your voice. You were, are, and always will be, absolutely perfect.”
Chapter Twelve
Brick
I can’t get this damn goofy smile off my face. Jessa loves me. Fuck, yeah!
“That question?” she asks, interrupting me from my internal celebratory party. “What question did you want to ask me?”
“Do you trust me?” I ask.
“What kind of silly question is that?” she says.
I smile again, happy to hear her beautiful voice. I never want her to stop talking.
“You’re stressed and restless,” I say. “Let me help you relax.”
It takes her a few seconds, but when she understands, her eyes widen to comical levels.
“Oh, Uhm.” I reach out and trace the blush running down her face.
So fucking beautiful.
“No one’s ever… well, I’ve never even… I don’t think.”
I laugh and roll my body on top of hers, holding myself up, so I don’t squash her.
“Let me pleasure you,” I beg. I’m not above begging this woman to let me touch her.
“Nothing else for tonight,” I continue. “Just let me make you feel good, darlin’.”
“Oka…”
I lean down and kiss her acceptance into my mouth.
“Good girl,” I praise, kissing down her neck. “Brave girl.”
I kiss a path down to my destination. Once I reach her legs, I urge her