Page 21 of Healing Bonds

“What else haven’t you told me, Ace?” My jaw went slack at her question. She had lost all of her trust in me, andfuck, it hurt.

“Nothing, princess. Nothing else.” I cradled her face with my one hand, my other hand gripping her hip, wiping away her tears with my thumb, feeling the sticky moisture beneath my fingers.

“Stop calling me that. It’s too confusing.” I couldn’t fight the grin at her admission that all was not lost.

“You’ll always be my princess, Celine.” She smiled into my hand and closed her eyes with a sigh.

“I am so mad at you for keeping this from me, for not letting me get him help,” she murmured, her eyes still closed, her breathing finally regulating and coming out in even little breaths.

“Your brother is just as stubborn as you are, and he didn’t want anyone to know and think he was weak. He had too much to prove; you know that.” I leaned my head against hers, kissing her nose.

“Can we go inside now? I’m so thirsty,” she whispered.

“Promise me that we will be okay.” Her brilliant, blue eyes locked on mine, and she nodded, tears still wetting her long lashes.

I helped her up, holding her cold hand in mine. I pulled her to the front door and picked up her forgotten keys from the ground to unlock the door. After twisting the knob and letting us into our little home that we bought and decorated together, she kicked off her sandals at the door and waited for me to do the same. I’m surprised she didn’t insist on putting them away in the organizer like she normally did, but at least her hand was still in mine as I closed and locked the front door behind us.

She gently tugged her hand from mine when we passed the bathroom in the entrance hall, and I waited outside as she cleaned herself up. She sniffled a few times, and then I heard the rush of tap water. She walked out, face red and clear of all her makeup, making her eyes look even more swollen.

She didn’t wait for me as she headed into the kitchen, where she poured herself a giant glass of water from the chrome fridge. She loudly gulped down the water, her eyes on me across the center island while I leaned against the wall, arms crossed over my chest, watching her as well.

She was thinking; I could see it in her calculating gaze. She’d thought of something else to yell at me about. Abandoning the now empty glass next to the sink, she walked over to me, and I braced myself for whatever the hell was about to come next.

“There is something you’ve never told me.”

“And what is that? Pray tell.” She glared at the smirk on my face before crossing her arms over her chest and widening her stance in defense.

“What happened all those years ago when you left me?” Never in my fucking wildest dreams did I think she wouldbring that nightmare up. “Wind knocked out of you, babe?” she whispered, taunting me.

“Why do you want to know now?” I asked her, hating how raw my voice was. “You never asked before.”

“What are you hiding from me, Ace?” There was a cunning glint in her eyes now. The strong woman I fell in love with was surfacing as she stood in front of me, prepared for battle.

“Do you really want to know about that year, or are you just trying to start shit?” She glared at me. “This is so unlike you. You know it was hell for me. You had to know that I went back to my abusive mother because I was told she had changed, and Ineededto hear her apologize for how she treated me.” I uncrossed my arms and jabbed a finger into my chest. “You are the only person who knows what happened that day, andyou,” I pointed at her, my own anger rising to meet hers, “didn’t judge me. So, tell me why, after six years, you want to know what happened that year?” From the hurt look now playing across her features, I feared I might have overstepped.

“Because you never called or texted me after you left. I was heartbroken, and I wanted to know if you were, too,” she whispered, playing with a loose piece of hair, looking away from me.

“Of course, I was, Celine,” I said, a bit exasperated. How could I not be? I riskedeverythingto be with her, even destroyed my friendship with Ryan. “I came back when Amber called me because I was madly in love with you, you silly woman.” Reaching forward, I pulled her into my arms, wanting to wash all of her insecurities away. She melted into my arms, her head on my chest as she wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed in return.

“Sometimes, I just need reassurance,” she mumbled against my chest.

“I will always love you,” I promised her.

“I still believe it was an accident, and I know your brother has forgiven you, too.” My heart clenched at the thought of my baby brother, completely robbed of life because of one careless mistake.

“What can I do to fix this, princess? To make you trust me again?” There was an evil glint in her eyes when I pulled away. I frowned at her, a little concerned.

“Well, you could start with a bubble bath, then make me some pancakes for dinner, and then give me a foot rub while we watchGrease.”

“Lavender or rose scented?” I asked, my shoulders relaxing. I could handle those requests. The grin of pure delight that took over her features warmed my heart.

“Rose, please.”

Two hours later, we were sitting on the couch, her soft feet resting on my lap while I rubbed her toes and her arches, all the way up to her calves. She moaned as I massaged her calf muscles that were sore from standing all day at work for days on end.

“I forgive you,” she suddenly revealed, her eyes filled with love as she looked at me.

“I’m not done with you yet.” I winked, and she blushed, her blue eyes darkening with desire.

---