Page 59 of I Blame the Alcohol

“Arms up, O’Brien.”

Hesitation flashes across her face and I immediately pull my hands away.

“What’s wrong?” I sit back on my heels suddenly aware she might be feeling pressured. Nausea churns in my gut as I try to meet her downcast eyes.

“I’m sorry, Stel. I shouldn’t have assumed we’d… Do you want me to leave?” I hold my breath, hoping I haven’t just ruined the beginning of something promising.

“No, it’s just…” Stella tugs at her t-shirt, her erect nipples still holding my balls hostage. “It’d probably be easier for you if you just do me from behind.”

I blink, my mind struggling to connect the miserable look on her face and the graphic image she just painted.

She frowns, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Because now I’m picturing taking you from behind.

But why would that be easier for me?

“I’m just confused. Do you not want me to see you come?”

Stella huffs, visibly agitated, “I don’t care about that.”

I am so lost.

She sighs, “I don’t want you to have to look at my scar. You can’t see it as well from behind.” Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she gives me a painful smile, “That’s what my ex-boyfriend used to say, anyways.”

My breathing comes to a halt as I register her words.

“He told you that?” Stella flinches at my harsh tone.

“Well, yeah. We were together before the accident, so it was a bit of an adjustment afterwards.” She shrugs as if it’s nothing, but I can see the distress shimmering beneath the surface. “I don’t blame him, it’s an ugly scar. On the inside and the outside.”

I exhale through my nose, willing my temper to calm down. This guy was part of Stella’s past, so there’s no changing the way he treated her now. All I can do is help her write a better future.

"Lift your arms, Stel.”

She blinks in surprise before slowly raising her arms. I grab the damp ends of the material and slowly peel it off her body. Once it passes her head, I toss it to the ground and grab her hand.

“Come with me.”

“Pretty sure that’s the point.” Stella tries for a teasing grin, but her movements are awkward and stiff as I lead her off the bed and into the bathroom. We come to a stop in front of the full-length mirror, both of us staring at each other’s reflection.

Our figures merge into one as I step behind her. Stella’s eyes flick to her scar, and with a grimace, she twists to shield it from view. Her tattoo blazes a path down her other side,CONSEQUENCESscreaming out in bold, confident letters.

“Do you want to know what I see?”

She stays silent, her gaze searching mine through the reflection.

“I see a warrior. A beautiful warrior who is even stronger on the inside than she is on the outside.” Using my fingers, I gently trace her impressive collection of abdominal muscles. They clench under my touch.

“The thing I admire most is your confidence. You walk as if you own the world, which after seeing the house you grew up in, isn’t far from the truth.”

Stella laughs softly, her gaze never leaving my wandering fingers.

“This,” Keeping my touch featherlight, I trace the misshapen seam of her scar, “Should never take away your confidence. If anything, it should add to it. It’s your battle scar, Stel. And all great warriors have them.”

Tears glisten in her eyes and I have to swallow the lump in my throat as I lower myself down to press a kiss on the damaged skin.

“You are beautiful, Stella. Every single partof you is beautiful.”

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