Page 40 of In the Light of Day

“Take me inside, husband,” I whisper.

The truck door opens and only one set of steps can be heard on the short walk back to our room. Ace carrying me in his arms. Surrounding me. Keeping me safe.

“Do you want to eat or clean up first? There's blood on your face ... I'm sorry.” His brow is furrowed, his hand showing a faint tremor as he reaches out to tilt my chin. I watch him look me over, his breath stilted as he takes in little things I can't see.

A scrape?

Blood?

Bruises?

He’s looking at my body almost afraid to look me in the eyes. His gaze was hidden back in the truck, the shadows giving comfort, but here, with the bright lights of our room showing all the signs of my earlier struggle, he looks away from me.

“Nova, can I ... can I take off your dress? I need to see if you’re hurt. I just really need to see you ... make sure.”

His voice breaks on the last word and my heart shatters for the man standing in front of me. Despite every person he’s saved and the number of people he has helped over the years, right now, I can see the weight of the night's events hanging heavy on his shoulders. I know I need to help him like the many times he has done for me and ease the burden he carries.

The hard crash of his knees hitting the floor causes me to gasp and I take an involuntary step back. His head hangs low on his chest and I can see how white his knuckles are, placed against his thighs.

This is Ace,my Aceand there's not a cell in my body that thinks he could hurt me, so I step forward. Once. Twice. Not scared of the broken man before me. I move until he’s kneeling directly before me. Tentatively, reaching out, my fingers lightly tracing the curve of his hard jaw and lift his chin to look at mine. His eyes are scrunched, no doubt running through everything he thinks went wrong tonight in his mind.

“Ace? I’m alright. A little shaken, but they won't break me. I won't be broken by those people, not tonight, not ever.”

I say the words as an affirmation for myself as much as he needs to hear it. The years we’ve spent healing from our past will not be unravelled by them. We are stronger than that.

“Thank you. Ace ...James?”Kiss.

Thank you for not pushing me.”Kiss.

Thank you for listening to me.”Kiss.

Thank you for holding me each time I fell apart.”Kiss.

Thank you for protecting me ... thank you for keeping me safe.”Kiss.

A tender kiss placed against his jaw, his cheek, his lips. Each one reinforcing my thanks for everything he's done. It's important he knows that. That he did everything right and I'm better for it. When my body froze, just like our first night together, he saved me.

His eyes flash open. Pain, passion and love, so fiercely shown in his stare and I need to touch him. To feel the heat of his skin against mine. His head presses against my soft belly while his strong arms wrap around my body, holding me so tightly against him. Dragging my fingers through his hair, I grab a fistful, tugging his hair back so he’s forced to look at me again.

“Undress me, Ace. I need you.”

His nostrils flare and his breathing deepens as he pushes the shoulder straps down. I loosen the half zip at the back, my dress falling from my body in a pile of silk. Never once does he break eye contact with me as I stand before him in only my high heels and black lacy panties. A feeling I've not experienced spreads across me.

I feel powerful.

The man I love kneels before me and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, he loves all of me. The broken, scarred, healed version of me. I am enough for him and I am determined to stop anything from getting in the way of living a beautiful life with this man, not even myself. I don't need a lot but I know,I know,I need him.

“Ace.” I breathe his name.

“Nova, baby. You're so fucking beautiful. I don't deserve the love you give me, after—”

“Every version of you is mine. Mine to cry with. Mine to laugh with. Mine to love. Just like I am to you. All of me is yours, Ace.I need you.”

His eyes drop to my lips and he leans forward, his hands holding my face as he places a tender kiss to my neck, along my jaw, my mouth. The wordsnever againbarely audible as I wrap my arms around him. His warmth and strength feed my soul and I can't help the whimper that escapes as I deepen our kiss. Our mouths fight each other in a need to be closer. Our tongues battle with passion and as his strong arms lift me up and I can feel his hardness pressed against me.

“I want all of you,” I moan.

He kisses down my neck as I grind against him, hoping he will offer me the release I'm searching for. Hoping to get lost in his body.

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