Page 66 of Promise You Forever

I read through the document carefully, and nothing sticks out as problematic to me. The fact that they even take the time to go through all this with me when I’m fairly certain they don’t have to makes me feel so much better. I sign the paper and slide it back to him.

He goes over some cognitive test results and how those will affect his treatment plans. It feels like I’m in there forever talking. Luke’s waiting by the door with my coat when the doctor walks me out.

“How did it go?” He helps me into my coat.

“Okay.” I zip the coat and start heading toward the door. I need to feel the cold air because the heaviness of the conversation is oppressive. As soon as the frigid air hits my heated skin, I take a deep breath.

We walk to the car in silence. Part of me wants to run back inside for one more hug from Gramps and to tell him I love him so much. Sadness and grief claw at my chest until I can’t hold back the sob. It’s not fair that I lost my Grams with no warning, and now I’m watching Gramps deteriorate with nothing to do to stop it.

“Hey, hey, hey.” Luke grabs my shoulders and pulls me against his chest. “Talk to me, Sunbeam. What’s going on?”

“It’s just not fair. He’s so healthy.” I rest my forehead against the firmness of his chest. “So healthy, in fact, that they can’t always contain him when he has an episode, so I had to sign paperwork about their sedation procedures.”

“If he hadn’t told us this was what he wanted, I wouldn’t leave him there. I’d figure out a way to have him home. Even if it meant bankrupting myself. But he and Grams knew this was coming. He didn’t want to be a burden.” Another sob breaks free. “I just hate this so much.”

Luke reaches around me and opens the truck door. “I know. It does suck.” He waits for me to get in and buckled beforejogging around the back of the truck to get in. “But at least we know it was his call. This is what he wanted.” He links our hands. “And I’m right here with you.”

That sentiment feels comforting at the same time that it scares me. He keeps saying all the right things. He’s there for me when I need him. He’s open and emotionally available. But I can’t help getting lost in this feeling of apprehension for a switch to flip. I survived it once, but will I survive a second time, especially when the stakes are so much higher?

It’s late by the time we get back to the ranch, but Colt and Sam took care of everything for us today so we can just go straight to bed. While Luke lets Charlie out, I get in the shower. The urge to wash away all the big feelings from today is far too much to ignore.

I’m enjoying the hot stream of water running through my hair when I hear the shower door. My eyes open and take in the magnificent sight of Luke’s naked body. The irony of his last name being Stone when he looks like he was carved from the granite of the surrounding mountains is not lost on me.

“Do you mind if I join you?”

“A little late to be asking that, don’t you think?”

“Maybe.” He smirks, that one dimple popping out.

“You can stay if you make it worth my while.”

He cups my cheek and tilts my head back. “I can do that.”

His lips cover mine softly as he runs his fingers through my hair, pushing it under the water and getting it wet. The last thing I expect is for him to get a few pumps of shampoo and start working it through my hair. My entire body relaxes as he gently massages my scalp. As soon as I rinse it out, he’s waiting with myconditioner. My jaw unhinges as he grabs the claw clip I keep in the shower and twists my hair up, clipping in the exact way that I do to let the conditioner soak in.

“What?” he asks with a boyish grin.

“I’m just surprised you knew exactly what to do.”

“If you’re in my line of sight, I’m cataloging every single thing you do.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m in love with you.”

“I—”

He puts a finger over my lips and shakes his head. “You don’t have to say anything. I know you aren’t there yet.” He taps my temple lightly. “I think you are here.” He presses his palm over my heart. “But my love can wait. It’s as immovable as the mountains around the ranch. Millions of years couldn’t erode it away.”

He’s absolutely correct. There is a war raging inside me right now. My brain says absolutely not while my heart has shed its protective shell and is his for the taking. But I trusted him once and he hurt me. I don’t want to do it again.

“Turn around and put your hands on the tile.” He guides me around and presses a kiss to my shoulder.

I’m curious enough to let him arrange my body the way he wants it. He drops to his knees behind me, lifting my foot to the tiled bench at the back of the shower. His hands cup my ass and spread me open so every inch of me is on display.

I drop my head to the wall as his tongue runs along my parted folds before playfully teasing my clit. Any rational thought flies from my brain as he kneels at my feet worshiping my body. His fingers replace his tongue as they toy with my clit and his mouth moves back to my pussy. He fucks me with his tongue until I whimper, needing more than his tongue.

But instead of standing and filling me with his cock, I feel his tongue move to a different place. A place no one has ever gone before. He kisses the tight hole as I go still, liking the sensation way more than I ever thought I would.

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