Page 91 of Stolen Kisses

“That’s really tasty. Thank you.” She looks at Dad. “Did you make all of this yourself?”

He shakes his head. “Unfortunately, no. I put it together on the platter, but my chef prepares all of the different foods. I don’t have so much time to spend in the kitchen,with running the business side of things.” He shrugs, disappointment radiating off of him.

Emma and I catch Dad up on the kids. It feels completely natural to refer to them as one unit; as though they’re already siblings. They certainly act as though they are. There have been a couple of arguments this past week with us all living together. I’m sure there are bound to be some teething problems as we all adjust to the new living arrangements. Emma thinks it’s a temporary situation while she recovers from surgery, but Kenny and I won’t be moving out any time soon.

Once lunch is finished, we leave Dad and drive to the store to buy groceries. “We seem to be going through a lot of food,” Emma mumbles as we fill the cart.

“Therearefive of us.” I point out.

She looks at me as though she’sonly nowrealized we’ve been feeding five people. Granted, three of them are kids, but I’ve been trying to cook high-protein and vegetable-rich meals to help Emma’s healing. I’ve also been slowly encouraging Lachlan to try eating some of the same foods as the rest of us. I always have his favorites on standby just in case, but it hasn’t been needed for the last two nights. I think it helps him take the risk with the new foods, knowing his regular favorites are available to him.

Emma nods. “I guess so.”

We move toward the milk, our last stop before heading for the register. After the shop assistant scans our groceries, she looks at me. “That’ll be ninety-three dollars and eighty-five cents.”

I grab my wallet, pulling out my card at the same time as Emma, barely managing to scan my card through the machine first. “Why are you paying for our groceries? You’re already helping us out so much.”

“Kenny and I are eating the foodas well. I like to pay my way. You can pick them up next time.” I shrug and begin loading the bags into the cart. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the end of the conversation. I hear her huff behind me and in my mind’s eye, I can see her rolling her gorgeous eyes and crossing her arms in a pout. I smile to myself, knowing I’ve won this round.

–emma–

I feel as though I’m wrapped in a furnace—the blankets twisted around my body, make it difficult to throw them off. Working to disengage from the tangle, I realize it’s not the blankets making me feel hot, it’s the body wrapped around mine from behind.

I sigh in comfort.

Every night since coming home from the hospital, Theo’s been in my bed. His excuse is that he needs to make certain I’m alright, which has been completely unnecessary. The thing is, it feels good to have him here—it feels …right. I should put a stop to it, but I can’t bring myself to give this up—whateverthisis. Surprisingly, the boys haven’t questioned Theo sleeping in my bed. Austin came in one morning and climbed in between us; Kenny did it yesterday. When Lachlan wakes in the early hours of the morning, Theo tells me to go back to sleep and he gets up to spend time with him; allowing me to rest. It’s as though this is the way it’s always been and the way it always will be.

I like it. Maybe too much.

Turning my head to look over my shoulder at him, I smile at the peaceful, almost boyish appearance of his face in slumber. His thick lashes rest on the tops of his cheeks. Studying his features, I’m reminded of Friday. How hisforehead creased in contemplationwhen he asked to come into my appointment with me. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea at first. Then I thought, what the hell, maybe if he hears what the doctors have to say and sees the ugliness as a result of the surgery, he’ll choose to walk away.

When I think about it now, I was definitely testing himat myappointments on Friday.

He stood strong and firm.

He was my support and encouragement.

When my scars were finally exposed, he didn’t look at me any differently than all of the times before. He didn’t cringe or shy away. I felt acceptance in his presence. Support and strength in his grip as he held my hand. Heat in his gaze as he looked at me. There wasn’t any sign of disgust or that he found me lacking in any way.

My bladder screams at me to get up, so I carefully remove Theo’s arm and slide out of bed. He must be exhausted because he doesn’t move a muscle. Making my way to the bathroom, I do my business and decide to have a shower, which is so much easier without the drains. Removing my clothes, I study my scarred, bruised, and still swollen breasts. The expanders feel hard as rocks behind what little tissue I have left and I’m hoping the plastic surgeon is right, that the implants I’m due to get will feel less invasive.

Today, I’m getting my first injection to begin increasing their size. Carefully cupping the smaller mounds, I peer at them closely. Looking at their flaws, tears form in my eyes, welling to the point they can no longer be contained. Splashes of pain landing on my scars. I’m so caught up in my stupid, waste of time and energy self-pity party that I jump a little when Theo’s hands come up to cover mine. With eyes locked together in the mirror, he bends down, placing the gentlest of kisses on my shoulder. The rasp of his beard reminds me of other places his bristles have touched.

“Youwannaknow what I see, Em?” he whispers roughly beside my ear. His breathsendsgoosebumps rising across my body. I nod slowly, swallowing down my doubts and fears in preparation for what he’s about to say. “I see a strong woman who did what she had to do to ensure her survival for not only herself but her family.”He lays a tender kiss on my shoulder. “I see scars which remind me that you were brave enough to make tough choices.”Another tender kiss lands in the crook of my neck. “I see power in the way you took control of the situation you found yourself in.”Another tender, barely-there kiss touches my ear. “I see a sexy woman with the most feminine of curves, dips, and valleys that I hope I will have the privilege of exploring again one day.”Yet another kiss is pressed against my temple this time. “I see the woman I hope will allow me to share her life, her family, her mind, her body, and her bed for the rest of my days.”He lands a light press of his lips against my cheek.

Turning in his arms, I press up, touching my lips to his. His hands move up to cup each side of my face, the roughened pad of his thumbs wiping my tears away from my cheeks. “Theo,” I whisper against his lips.

“It’ll be okay, Em. I promise,” he breathes before sweeping his tongue across my lips, requesting entry which I readily grant. Our kiss is full of life, fire, and affection. But it’s more than that. It feels as though this kiss is branding my soul, marking me in a way that makes me undoubtedly his.

Slowly, our lips separate, breaths coming in short pants. Opening my eyes, I’m greeted by pupils that almost swallow the blue that I love so much. We both tilt our heads forward, pressing our foreheads together. “Do you mean it?”

“I do. Every single word and more. I understand that it’ll take time for you to trust me. I promise, with everything I am, that I’m here with you for better or for worse, Em.” He finishes his statement with another peck to my forehead. “Come on, we need to get ready to take the kids to school, so you can get to your appointment this morning.”

Stepping away, Theo starts the shower for me as I remove my panties and tie my hair up out of the way. The warm spray feels amazing on my skin. Closing my eyes, I enjoy the warmth of the water sluicing down my body. I feel more than see Theo enter the shower behind me, the click of the soapbottlemy only warning before calloused hands begin gliding over my skin—heating me in ways the water can’t. I hope he understands that sex won’t be on the horizon any time soon. As much as he turns me on, I’m not up for it. Not yet. I’m not sure when I will be.

“What’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours?” He’s got a playful tone to his voice.

Turning to face him, I swallow down my nerves. “Uh, I was wondering if you were aware that I won’t be ready for sex any time s—”

---