Page 129 of Freshmeet
“Your bra’s getting wet,” I husked out, my eyes followed the water droplets beading up on the blue lace.
She glanced down and bit her lip. “Um. I didn’t want you to think I was . . .” Looking up at me, she gave me a warm smile. “I just want to take care of you.”
Her simple words cracked open what little defenses I still had up around her.
No one had asked me how I was doing. Not one person thought I might need a hug after finding my brother bloody andunconscious, or finding out that two of my oldest friends were brutally murdered.
But Sarah was there, her hands in my hair, washing away Jamie’s blood. Every caress was an affirmation that she cared. She didn’t demand conversation or assurances that I was fine. All she wanted was to be there for me.
Pink suds swirled down the drain, and I couldn’t help but watch, transfixed by the evidence of Jamie’s near tragedy.
Kimmy and Linc weren’t so lucky.
“None of that,” she murmured, lifting my chin. Cleaning my face, she kept her piercing blue eyes on me. “We’re washing away the night so you can finally rest. You need a break.”
I tilted my head back, rinsing out the soap. Wiping my eyes, I looked down at Sarah and cupped her cheek. “Thank you.”
She leaned into my hand, a confused smile on her face. “For what?”
“For being you.”
Rolling her eyes, she turned her head and kissed my palm. Her breath hitched as if she were holding something back. There was no way that she wasn’t completely freaked out, but there she was, putting my feelings first.
I was more than familiar with the move and hated that she was doing it, especially since she was doing it for me.
More than anything, I wanted her to lean on me like I was leaning on her.
I brushed a kiss against her lips. “I love you, Sarah.”
She sucked in a breath, her eyes widening. “What?” she whispered.
I tilted her chin up so she could see just how serious I was. “I love you.”
“Oh,” she whispered, her hands fisting against my chest.
“I’m pretty sure I fell for you the first night we met, but every day since, you’ve only made me fall harder. Obviously, you’refucking gorgeous, funny, and smart, but goddamn do you have a big heart. No one else has ever worried about me the way you do. No one else has ever appreciated me the way you do. But it’s not just me. I see how you are with your friends and my family. You’re a fucking angel, Sarah.
She went up on her tiptoes and gently pressed her lips to mine. “I love you too.” Leaning back, her pretty blue eyes met mine. “I feel crazy saying it after only a couple of months of knowing each other, especially after what just happened, but fuck it—I love you.“
Steam curled around us in the tiny space as we shared a tired smile. Ever the perfectionist, Sarah dragged the sudsy washcloth down my arms, scrubbing the blood flecks off. “Tonight was scary.” Her eyes shimmered with tears as she focused on my neck and chest. “If anything happens to you—” She looked up at me through wet lashes. “Nothing can happen to you.”
Sarah shook with vulnerability, her hands absentmindedly wiping down my stomach. The humidity curled the loose strands of hair, making her look softer, mirroring her stricken expression.
I caught her hand and took the washcloth. “I’m not going anywhere.”
A fat tear rolled down her cheek, and she nodded. “Okay,” she sniffled, letting out an uncomfortable laugh. “Sorry, I?—”
“Never apologize for being honest with me.” I stepped closer, pressing her against the tiled wall. “You can tell me anything.”
She blinked up at me, her lips slightly parted.
“I want you to tell me everything, and I’ll do the same.”
The corners of her mouth tilted up, and she slightly nodded.
“Good,” I breathed against her lips, kissing her softly.
A tiny noise came from the back of Sarah’s throat, and she slid her arms around my neck. My tongue brushed against hers,slowly deepening our kisses. I hugged her to my body, comforted by the gentle give of her curves.
