Page 18 of Swallow

For so long, I’d lived in a constant state of survival. Waking up had always come with a sense of dread and uncertainty.

But now, everything was different. I’d never been happier.

I turned my head, my gaze landing onAsh, who lay beside me. He was still asleep, his face relaxed in the early light, his scruff growing thicker and darker, since he hadn’t shaved in a few days. His breathing was deep and steady.

Ash had once seemed so intense, with the raw,unwaveringway he held himself. But he now relaxed beside me, protecting me… loving me.

We were bonded.

Maybe this had always been where my path was meant to lead?

I lifted my hand, my fingers tracing along the inked lines of the tattoo on his forearm, the one I’d seen countless times before. I traced his eyebrow, and he slowly opened his eyes. He already seemed so alert, like he was this sentry who was always on guard, watching over me.

He smiled sleepily, reaching up to brush a thumb over my cheek in return. “You’re beautiful in the morning light… in any light, if I’m being honest.”

I smiled, feeling something warm grow even hotter inside of me. “I can say the same about you.”

Ash let out a low chuckle, his voice still rough from sleep. “I love when you stare at me.”

He pulled me in close, spooning with me, and we stayed like that for a moment, tangled in the quiet comfort of the morning. I thought about everything it had taken to get here.

Ash hadn’t just saved me. He gave me what I needed to find myself again.

Strength. Confidence. Trust.

And he had given me a future I never thought I deserved.

“Let me make my girl some breakfast.” He kissed the crown of my head and got out of bed, and I snuggled deeper under the covers and watched him pull on a pair of gray sweats and nothing else.

He was about to leave the bedroom when he glanced over his shoulder at me. “I love you, sweetheart.”

I felt my chest heat and bloom with pleasure. “I love you more.”

He smirked and shook his head. “Not even close, baby.” He left, and for minutes after, I was still grinning.

The scent of coffee and something warm and buttery filtered down the hall to me. I got up and dressed, leaving the bedroom I shared with Ash in his apartment, and went into the kitchen, standing by the counter. He poured me a fresh cup of coffee andleaned against the island, watching me with that quiet intensity that never quite faded and made me tingle in all the right places.

We moved in together shortly after he had gone to see my ex, and it had been the easiest decision I ever made. I had the choice to leave and find my way in another town—hell, across the country if I wanted to—but being here with Ash was like kismet.

“How long are you gonna do that?” I asked, lifting an eyebrow as I met his gaze.

He smirked, sipping his own coffee. “What? Look at the most beautiful woman in the whole fucking world? Lost in thought and wondering how I became the luckiest bastard in the universe, because you’re mine?”

My heartskippedat the way he said all of that.With so much sincerity.

Truth was, I hadn’t fought what grew between us, because it felt like the most perfect and natural thing ever. And now, I was here.With him.

Ash stepped closer, setting his mug down beside me before placing his hands on my hips, pulling me in.

“I love how much lighter, brighter, you so clearly feel. Like you know how safe you are with me,” he murmured, brushing his lips against my temple.

I let out a breath, tilting my head to look up at him. “Iamsafe with you, and I trust you with everything.” I lifted my hand, brushing my fingers along his jaw. “All the bad in my life is over,” I whispered. “And I haveyouto thank for that. I owe you everything.”

His gaze softened. “Nah, baby. You don’t owe me anything, Evie. Being in love with you means I’ll fight to the death to make sure you’re happy and safe.”

Ash never accepted the fact that he was the one who had given me so much that I’d been able to find my way back to myself again.

I was strong, and maybe, eventually, I would have found that path without meeting him, but I’m glad our lives came together and we did it as a team.

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