Page 105 of Blood & Lace
I caught him just as his fingers brushed against the door handle. I snatched him toward me. His back pressed against my front as he squirmed in my hold. He threw his elbow back, jamming it into my rib cage. I grunted as pain flared up my side. I loved when he was so feisty. I kissed all over his cheeks and neck, anywhere I could get.
"Lucero.” He struggled in my hold. “You’re so gross. Hey, stop, that tickles.” A chuckle echoed around us and only spurred me on. “Hey.”
He elbowed me in the ribs again in the exact same spot. Pain blossomed over the area with more intensity than before. I was going to be bruised. The thought only made me happy. I’d be wearing more marks from my husband.
“Stop. Let me brush my teeth, or hell, at least swish some mouthwash." He twisted in my hold until we were face-to-face. His cheeks were red as he continued to dodge any of my kisses. A flick of his fingers against my nose gave me a pause. "Bad boy."
“That’s playing dirty.”
Onyx squinted at me. “You’re a psychopath if you think I’m going to let me kiss you.”
“You’re chewing gum.”
“Demented. I take it back, your mom dropped you on your head.”
I took the opportunity for what it was and closed the distance between us. My husband caught on before our lips met, and I kissed the back of his hand. I’d have to settle for it for now. "I love you, bella."
There was a long pause as we locked eyes. Onyx's gaze bore into me, and I could have sworn he wanted to say it back to me. Was he finally believing me? That I loved him and only him? Did he love me too?
"Love you so much." I kissed the back of his hand again.
"Why?" Onyx asked. His whisper barely could be heard over the light instrumentals that played in the bathroom.
Why? Where did I even begin?
"You're who I think about the moment my eyes open and even while they are closed. You make me feel whole. Without you, there is a constant lack of light in my life. You’re my sanctuary as well as my personal torture. There isn't one single reason why I love you.” My head was a jumbled mess and calm at the same time. How many times had my family asked me? How many times had I thought about it? For a long time I just knew I did. It was something I couldn’t possibly explain. I knew when I looked at Onyx, that was it. I’d found my person. Standing here, in front of my husband as he showed such vulnerability, I had an answer. “Your smile when you're relaxed makes the stars look dim. The way you're able to walk into any room and demand attention without trying. There’s the way you can't cook and yet you still try on occasions. And, oh, you don't like watching romcoms and yet will sit through one with me. You're really smart but you never make me feel inferior, not when it counts.When I look at you when I'm in your presence, there is this feeling inside of me that feels like bombs are going off while my chest is filled with butterflies. And every single day it gets more intense." I needed to say more. To make him see what I saw every single day. How strong and amazing he was.
Onyx stared at me, his eyes wide as if it was his first time ever hearing me tell him how much I loved him. "I want to believe you."
"If you don't, I'll make you."
He shook his head. "As crazy as you are, I don't doubt you will."
I took his free hand and brushed my lips over his knuckles. His skin was warm and soft to the touch. "I'd do anything for you, bella. And I mean anything." I audibly swallowed. "You asked me once if I'd betray my family for you?—"
Onyx moved fast, pushing up on his tippy toes and stretching up to cover my mouth. "Don't say another word. If you do, you're going to piss me off." The tears were back in his eyes, making them glossy. "Shut up and take me home."
As much as I wanted to say them, it had felt like a hot knife had been carving out my chest. My family meant so much to me, but Onyx, he meant everything. I nodded, more than ready to leave the bathroom and be in the comfort of our home. He dropped back down, removing his hands from my mouth. The moment we weren't touching, I ached for him. Before I could ask to hold his hand, he intertwined our fingers. Heat etched up my arm before blossoming over my chest and throughout my entire body.
I love this man so much.
We stepped out of the restroom to the gala, which was still going on. I scanned the room, looking for any threat. Knowing my family was doing the same didn’t squish the unease that settled further in my gut. Gazes were aimed our way but nonethat I could say were hostile, none that I could tell were watching us with keen interest. I shielded my husband using my hulking form to keep unwanted gazes off him.
Thank fuck for my family; they'd kept everyone away and we slipped out the back without so much as a single person speaking to us. I loosened the tie around my neck the moment we were outside. The cool city air brushed over my heated flesh, doing very little to calm me down.
Onyx visibly relaxed once we were out. His shoulders weren't as tight and the hold he had on my hand loosened. I wanted to get him home and wrap him up in his favorite soft pink blanket, brew him a caffeine-free tea, and put on the horror slasher flick he liked so much.
"Sir." One of our guys stood next to a black sedan with the back door held open. He kept his gaze trained on me, giving both of us a nod of respect.
I helped Onyx into the car before shutting the door. Before I headed to the other side, I made a conscious decision. "Stop at Midnight Desserts before dropping us off." I pulled out a few bills and handed them over. I slipped into the backseat, grunting at the tight fit. The leg room left much to be desired but I wasn't focused on me. The moment I was settled in the car, Onyx moved to get closer to me. I tossed my arm around him, rubbing any part of him I could.
Neither one of us said anything during the drive. Not even when the car stopped for a little while and then started up again. The silence was like a blanket over the night, holding everything, not quite snuffing it out, but covering it.
It wasn't until we were dropped off that the quiet was finally broken. "What's that?" Onyx asked, pointing to the box in my hand.
“A surprise.”
He looked at me but didn’t bother asking any further questions. The elevator took us to our floor, and Onyx handed over the keys. I ushered us both in, closing off the world the moment the door shut.
