Page 76 of Cross My Heart

We’re vital to each other’s survival.

We’re two halves of one whole.

And nothing and no one can tear us apart.

I get out of bed and go to the bathroom, turning on the shower to hot. I take off my boxers and get in, relishing in the warmth of the water. It’s soothing, and I close my eyes as I let the water soak my hair and trail down my face. But then there’s a noise—the door opening—and my eyes fly open. The lock engages, and I wipe the foggy glass shower door to look out.

It’s Noah.

Taking his clothes off.

Walking toward me.

Getting in the shower with me.

Noah is looking at me through his lashes, his bottom lip caught between his teeth.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I tell him.

“Why not?”

“It makes me want to do dirty things to you,” I reply, looking down at his body pointedly, then back up at his face. He smirks, and it’s sinful. I know exactly what he’s doing, but I’m not giving in. I want to show him what it’s like to be loved by me. Not just fuck him. “And right now, I’m not going to give into it.”

Noah pouts, “Fine.”

“Get over here.” We switch places, and I grab the shampoo and squirt some onto my palm, then rub my hands together until I have suds and bubbles. Noah groans when I run my hands through his wet hair, massaging his scalp. “Good?”

“So good,” he replies. “No one’s ever done that before.”

No one’s ever loved you like me before.

But I don’t say that, instead I keep washing his hair quietly.

“When are you leaving Scarlett?” he asks me softly, and my stomach drops.

“Soon,” I reply, even though I want to scream it from the rooftops that I choose him. That I’ll always choose him. That I’m doing whatever it takes to have him be mine. “The papers aren’t ready, but they will be very soon.”

“I heard you talking,” he says, as I rinse his hair for him.

“Don’t you know it’s rude to eavesdrop?” I smirk, but deep down I’m glad he heard it all. I’m hoping now he knows how serious I am about leaving her. That I’ll go through with it.

“I couldn’t help it.” He shrugs. “You guys were screaming at each other.”

“Well, now you know.” I smile at him. “We’re done.”

Noah visibly relaxes, a beautiful smile taking over his face. His eyes scrunch in the corners, little wrinkles appearing there. It’s just evidence of how long I’ve known and loved him, and he’s beautiful. No one has ever been more beautiful to me.

I relax too, switching places with him until I’m under the water spray once more. Noah grabs the shower gel from the shelf and lathers his hands with it, then brings them to my chest. He washes me gently, reverently, and I close my eyes. I never want this moment to end. This moment where he’s showing me how much he cares for me without words.

“Will you be mine when this is over?” Noah asks me, and my heart clenches in my chest.

“I’ve always been yours, Noah,” I reply. And I mean it. Even when I was taken by another person, I’ve never been able to get him off my mind. I’ve never been able to move on from him.

Noah grins. “Promise?”

I grin back, repeating the words I told him six months ago.

“Cross my heart.”

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