Page 69 of In Too Deep

Making a beeline for my bathroom, I turn on the shower so it can heat up while I undress. The water is perfect as I step inside the tub, immediately easing my tense muscles. If only I could find a way to ease my worried mind.

I’ll admit, I thought I would’ve heard from Cat by now. Or at least I hoped. It hadn’t been easy to walk away from her the other night, but if I’d pulled her in my arms the way I wanted, we still would’ve ended up here. She left Spencer and came straight to me, acting without processing everything that happened. I need her to be sure of what she wants so I can feel secure.

In the past, I’ve always been the one pursuing Cat. Every single time I tried to move forward with her, she would hesitate. I believed then, as I do now, it was her fear holding her back. She tends to take the path with the least resistance, and that usually means doing what she thinks she should or what other people want. She needs time to catch her breath and really think about what she’s doing and wants, but the more time she takes, the harder it is to breathe. My mind reels at the possibility that she might not come back.

The water is nearly cold before I feel relaxed and clean, my entire bathroom filled with steam by the time I turn the shower off. I’m considering skipping dinner as I step out and wrap a towel around my waist, even though my stomach growls in protest. It’s not like I have anything decent to eat in the kitchen anyway, and my tired body and depressed heart couldn’t care less about food.

I pad from my bathroom to my dresser and grab a pair of boxer briefs, pulling them on before remembering my dead cellphone sitting on my coffee table. Hating the thought of my mom needing and not being able to reach me, I drag myself back out into the living room to retrieve it. Just as I reach for it, there’s a knock on my door, and I jump in surprise. My pulse races as I move to the front door, my heart leaping out of my chest when I see who’s standing on the other side.

Cat is here.

She came back to me. I can’t get the damn door open fast enough. Her eyes go wide as I swing it open, her cheeks turning red as her eyes roam over my nearly naked body. She looks so beautiful, and I’m desperate to pull her into my arms, but I remain frozen and silent, terrified it’s all a dream.

“Can I come in?” she asks, her words unsure.

Eyeing the bags in her hands with curiosity, I step aside and motion for her to come inside. Her vanilla scent washes over me as she walks by, and my entire body comes to life as I shut the door. A smile tugs at my lips as I turn to face her.

“What do you have there?” I point to the groceries in her hands, and she shrugs as she lifts them.

“Your mother said you’ve been working a lot and haven’t had a decent meal in days. I stopped by the store and got some stuff to make us dinner.”

I blink at her in disbelief, questioning my sanity. She smirks and turns on her heel, heading toward my kitchen with me following right behind her. “Whoa, what’s happening? You talked to my mother?”

“Yeah…” She looks over her shoulder, amusement dancing in her eyes. “I called the shop when I couldn’t get ahold of you on your cellphone. We had a nice chat.”

“You had a nice chat with my mom, and you want to make us dinner? Am I hallucinating here or what?”

She chuckles as she places the bags down and faces me. My brow furrows as she moves closer, my body coming back to life as blood rushes through my veins.

Her eyes cautiously search mine as she reaches out, taking my hands with hers. “I’m really here.”

I lift our hands and examine them as I thread my fingers through hers, yanking her forward to close the tiny gap between us. Her eyes darken with desire as I lock my gaze on hers again, her laboring breath brushing across my lips.

“So you are. Why?”

“Because this is where I want to be.” Her words come out breathless, and it’s sexy as hell.

She doesn’t need to say anything else to convince me she’s sure. I’m already itching to take her back to my bedroom, but I continue to probe her anyway.

“Why?”

“Because this is where you are.”

I inhale a long breath, my need for her growing uncomfortable as I continue to push her.

“And?”

Her tongue darts out to wet her lips, her mouth steadily gravitating toward mine. “The only time I feel whole is when I’m with you.”

“I like where this is going,” I tell her, a smile spreading across my face as I nuzzle her nose with mine. “Please go on.”

“I want this. You. Us. I’ve spent so much time fighting and denying my love for you, as if I ever had a choice. It’s always been you. And I’m tired of swimming against the tide. I love you.”

My heart soars as those three magic words pass through her perfect, pink lips. “It’s about damn time. Now, shut up and kiss me.”

44

Catelyn

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