Page 117 of Love Me Fierce

I gulp a breath, but it spikes the pain in my ribs. I wait for it to ebb, then force myself to look at him. “I was ashamed, Ev. I wasscared people would look down on me. I already felt rotten enough all by myself.”

He takes my hand again. “What happened isn’t your fault, Vivian. If anything, you’ve proven how strong you are. How dedicated and determined.”

“I just wanted to leave it all in the past.”

“I understand.” He strokes down each of my fingers. “But it’s time you let it go.”

I glance at where our hands are joined and release a steadying breath.

It’s just one little word. Why does it feel so big?

I can do this. With him. “Okay.”

“You don’t have to do this alone anymore,” he says, lifting my fingers to his lips. “I’m here.”

I stroke the side of his face and pull him to me, needing his lips on mine. The heady, rich scent of him and his warmth invades my senses, making my heartbeat skip and my core twist with an urgent hunger.

To be near him, to hold him, kiss him. To have his strong arms around me and his sensual promises in my ear. To care for him, be there for him.

To let him in.

I waketo the boys laughing in the bathroom down the hall. They’ve gotten into the habit of brushing their teeth together before school.

“Naw, dude, like this,” Logan says, his voice muffled.

“Zis?” Matty asks followed by a burst of more laughter.

Everett’s voice booms from downstairs. “Let’s go, you hyenas.”

Matty cackles. “Hyenas?”

The water turns off and Matty peeks into the room. When he sees me awake, his grin lights up his face. His new front tooth isalmost grown in, and though I miss the jack-o-lantern smile, his new smile is full of confidence.

I open my arm and he rushes at me, throwing both arms around my neck. “Love you, Mom.”

“Have a great day.” I kiss him on the head.

“I will,” he replies, then grips both sides of my face so we’re eye to eye. “You keep feeling better, okay?”

I give him a serious nod. “Okay.”

He dashes from the room, and moments later the front door shuts.

When I open my eyes again, Everett has placed a mug of my favorite tea on the bedside table. Is this what woke me? I scoot up in bed, wincing at my still-sore ribs, and cradle the mug. Just the scent of it sends a pulse of warmth rolling all the way down to my toes. I take a sip, and groan. Everett has already perfected the combination of honey and cream.

A current of heat flashes under my skin. Since he brought me home, he’s perfected a few other things too.

“Hey,” Everett says, peeking into the room.

“Morning.” I smile up at him. “Thank you for this.”

He leans down and kisses my forehead, then sits on the edge of the bed. “How’s my girl?”

The endearment filters down to my heart. I’ve never wanted to be someone’s girl before, but I want to be Everett’s.

“Feeling pretty good.” I take another long sip of my tea. “Thanks for taking care of Matty. Getting him to school.”

“It was mostly Logan,” Everett says with a chuckle. “Those two get along like a house on fire.”

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