Page 75 of Catch My Fall

I can see his own tears swimming in his eyes as I speak, and as if to back up my words, I lean in and kiss him, pouring all of my love for him into it.

“I hope you know just how important you are to me, too,” he says against my lips.

We don’t have to say those three little words, but they hang unspoken in the air that crackles around us. I know deep down we both feel it. We live with it every day, at least I know I have since the moment I met him and being with him here… It’s everything.

We turn back to the TV with Alec stretched out on the couch and my back up against his chest. He hits play on the controller and the screen unfreezes. Alec caresses my body when the things on screen get harder to watch, just the slightest touch of his fingers or his mouth on my neck and it settles some of the unease inside my body.

We watch as Rip smashes his way into Beth’s office, literally, and saves his girl, holding her broken, bloodied body in his arms before whispering, ‘I love you’ against her hair. For the first time, Beth’s seemingly impenetrable exterior, the wall she’s built around herself comes crumbling down, and Rip is there to catch her. He’s where her heart belongs.

He’s her home.

One of the reasons I agreed for Alec to take me away was because home didn’t feel like home anymore. I felt out of place, uneasy in my surroundings, like I didn’t fit anymore.

But with Alec, in his arms…

I’m home.

∞∞∞

“So, how are you?” Della asks, the video feed through my phone turning pixelated for a moment before the image of my two best friends sharpens. The signal out here in the middle of nowhere isn’t great.

“Really good actually.” It’s been a while since I’ve been able to say that but it’s true. I’ve never felt better.

“Oh yeah? Does that mean you’ve finally had a taste of that hot bodyguard of yours?” Reese quizzes.

A smile tugs at my mouth involuntarily as the image of what Alec and I did earlier flashes through my mind. “Maybe.”

Reese gasps. “Oh my God! Tell us everything! Have you had sex with him yet?”

Oh Jesus, I knew this was coming.

“Do not repeat this. My brothers can’t find out. Promise me.”

“We won’t say anything will we, babe?” Reese asks, turning to Della.

“No, of course not.”

“Then… Yes. I slept with him.”

Reese squeals excitedly, clapping her hands together. “Oh my gosh, this is so exciting! How was it? Was it good? Was he good? Is it big? I bet it’s big. It’s big isn’t it?”

“Will you stop!” I laugh. “It was amazing, he was amazing and… yes, he’s big.” My cheeks flame.

“I fucking knew it! Get it girl! I’m so happy for you,” Reese cheers.

“Were you okay? I mean, after everything…” Della asks.

“Honestly? Yes. I was terrified at first, but the way he looked at me put all my fears at ease. Everything was on my terms and at the risk of sounding cringe and cliché, it was the best night of my life.”

Della smiles. “I’m glad. You deserve some happiness, Si. Gosh, I wish I could hug you right now.”

Reese clears her throat. “Um, babe, you might wanna look over your shoulder.”

I spin around in my chair to see Alec leaning up against the door frame, arms folded wearing a shit-eating grin. “Don’t mind me, pretend I’m not here.”

“Not likely,” I reply.

“We’ll leave you to it, babe. Love you,” Reese says.

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