Page 57 of Mr. Kelly

He moves back into my space, but I fight the urge to turn away. I know none of his anger is for me. I know he won’t hurt me. Seeing my Teddy in the mindset that makes him Trunk is more beautiful than it should be.

“I can’t kill Mario twice, River. I can’t break all his bones again. If I could, I’d do it every day to make you feel better. What I can do is hunt down the sick fuck who paid for you and make him suffer for ever thinking it was okay to purchase my woman. Any woman, for that fact.” He grabs my chin. “And I’ll happily destroy anyone like him on my way to him. For now, we’re going to get you cleaned up so the doctor can make sure my woman and child are fine. Okay?”

Hours ago, I would have sworn I’d be too traumatized to get turned on, but Teddy just proved me dead wrong.

“Whatever you like.”

A small smirk pulls at his lips. “You’re not supposed to like this side of me, River.”

“Trunk is dead sexy,” I admit as he rips off and throws away my clothes. “I like all sides of you, Teddy.”

He steps away and turns on the spray, adjusting the temperature to his liking. I stand naked, still fascinated that hisanger is at the surface despite his gentleness towards me. His shoes, vest, shirt, and pants are all removed with an frustrated flare while he probably plots the death of all the unknown men.

Raging and naked. Magnificent.

He grabs me by my wrist and pulls me flush against his body. “I won’t rest until you’re comfortable again, River.”

“Damn, if this was any other day…”

“You’d already be coming and begging me for mercy.”

My eyelids flutter at his suggestion. “Fuck, I love you,” I admit, no longer caring that I may be the only one saying it for a while.

I’ll still respect any time he needs, but I can’t hide my feelings. It doesn’t hurt my feelings when he smirks but doesn’t respond. Teddy pulls us into the shower and starts lathering the sponge to wash me. I wet my hair and wash my face. He hasn’t moved, but I feel him behind me as I rinse my face. Turning my back to the spray, I push the water out of my eyes.

Teddy stares down at me, the blue of his eyes shining with a quality I’ve never seen before. I get stuck staring into his gaze. The water pelts around us as we stare at each other as if meeting for the first time. He tugs one of my wet tendrils but doesn’t drop eye contact. This is the closest his face will ever get to the thinking face he says I have when I’m hesitating to ask or say something.

He tucks a finger under my chin and steals a quick kiss. One of his dimples pops before he speaks.

“I love you too, River. You will be my wife soon.”

Chapter Thirty

THEODORE

River humsa soft song as she gets dressed like yesterday wasn’t one of the scariest days of our lives. I know she was affected by it, but hearing that our son is perfectly fine has calmed her down some. She had a nightmare last night, but no one would be able to tell that I held her while she cried until she fell asleep.

After a long day of rest, she’s slipping into a long evening gown, being careful not to ruin her pinned-up hairstyle. What’s more amazing is that this is all for me. I didn’t know she was planning a birthday party. I wasn’t looking for one. She and the baby are already everything I wanted.

She gives me a soft smile when our eyes meet in the mirror.

“We don’t have to do anything tonight,” I tell her, not for the first time. Her wellbeing is more important than any party.

River turns to me and cups my face with both hands. “Teddy, I just want to put yesterday behind me. It’s been my goal to celebrate your birthday and that’s what I want to do. You’re worth celebrating.”

Fuck,this is why she’s pregnant. It makes my dick hard when she says shit like that. There’s a sweet selflessness about her that makes me want to give her everything she desires. I know sheworries about being addicted to me, but I’m the one who’s so far gone that I cannot return. I’m obsessed. There is no way my ex would have considered a party celebrating me if she was in River’s position. Hell, if she’d gotten lost too long, Helena would have sworn she was too distraught to do anything.

I’m not interested in comparing them. It's more of an eye opener to truly let me know how blind I was and how I was so focused on giving love that I didn’t notice that I wasn’t receiving it. There isn’t anything to compare because it’s all so different with River.

“This is why I fucking love you, River. You’re so sweet.”

“Thank you.” She beams when I admit for the second time that I’m in love with her. It’s true, and it’s something I’ve never felt before. I kiss the smile off her face, but she giggles and tightens her grip on my cheeks.

“I’m just saying that we can celebrate me any time. I don’t want you stressing yourself out.”

She shakes her head, signaling that she’s firm in her decision. “No. Today is your birthday, sotodayand any day I deem is all about you. As long as you stay by my side, I’ll be fine.”

When I kiss her again, it’s a serious kiss meant to communicate all the love and desire I feel for her. Her eyes are glossy when I pull away.

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