Page 115 of The Retreat

“It’s true, not a joke.”

He fights laughing more. “Mean!”

I kiss his forehead. “I love you and you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t know how you feel but—” I don’t know what else to say.

“You really love me?”

I nod, slipping a finger under his chin carefully so he’ll look at me. “With all of me. I don’t want anyone else. I want you. Not because we have to be married. Not because we need to protect anyone. I want to protect you and have you. You are everything I never knew I needed and wanted. Just as you are.”

“You’ll get tired of my shit.”

“Not possible. You bring so much joy to my days. Finishing practice or a tournament and getting to come home to you is the highlight of my life. I love everything about you. How happy you are all the time. Your clothes. Your excitement for theater and art. The trashy television we watch in our snuggies.” I bring my forehead to his. “You’re the sunlight in my sky, princess.”

“Don’t call me that, you’re going to make me hard, and I’m too bruised to have sex.”

“Are you too bruised to orgasm?” I ask playfully.

He groans, half painful, half wanting. “Your fucking brother asked the doctor how long I have to wait to have sex.”

“He knows us too well after those pictures.” I grimace, but don’t actually care as long as I get the answer. “How long?”

“Isaac didn’t let the doctor answer!”

“We’ll have to ask the concierge doctor when he comes.”

I take him to bed, and we sleep until Oliver wakes us saying the doctor is here.

He checks us both out. I don’t have any breaks, just bruising, which will heal fine as long as I don’t do anything else to injure myself, and he does a full workup on Colin, saying he needs bedrest for at least a week with only light activity and no sex.

The lawyer is next, and I don’t want to deal with it. All I want is to cuddle Colin and forget about the last twenty-four hours.

“I’ve talked to Mr. Covington, and he says as long as Colin doesn’t press charges, he won’t press charges against Owen?—”

“No.” I cut off the lawyer. “I want Colin to press charges. He’s not getting away with this.”

Colin and Oliver both look at me.

Finally, Oliver speaks. “Do you really think he needs to go to jail?”

“He won’t go to jail. I’m sure his lawyers will get him off.” Colin sounds defeated.

“Jail is the least of his worries now. I’m going to destroy him,” Oliver says offhandedly.

Colin looks at him. “What?”

“I told you yesterday. I’m going to make sure he has nothing left.” Oliver turns to the lawyer. “What is Owen looking at if Mr. Covington doesn’t drop the charges.”

The lawyer walks us through what will probably happen. “I don’t think with his clean record and family name, he will get more than community service.”

“Fine. Press charges, Colin, please.” I take his hands in mine.

“This could get you kicked off the national team.” Colin shakes his head.

“If I get kicked off the national team, I get kicked off the national team. It was worth it. The only thing I care about is you.”

Colin lifts his eyes to meet mine, and I hold his gaze, unwavering. “You’re serious? You could go to the Olympics. You can’t throw that away for nothing.”

“I’m not throwing it away for nothing. My husband is way more important to me than fencing ever was. I can live without fencing. I can’t live without you.”

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