Page 55 of Unraveling Rain
The doctor chuckles. “Very well, I’ll see you around.”
He disappears down the hall.
Xander makes a slow spin. “What’s that smell?”
My eyes widen. “Fuck—the crusts.”
I rush toward the oven, but stop short at the butter-soaked floor. I move very slowly, open the drawer, and pull out gloves before cracking open the oven door.
Completely charred. Unsalvageable.
I quickly take them out and set them on the stove, heart sinking.
“Hey, come here,” Xander says, arms open.
I toss the gloves on the counter and walk straight into him. His arms wrap around me, grounding me instantly.
“It’s okay, Cherry. I’m okay,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
I hug him harder, his warmth calming the leftover tremors in my body.
“I was so fucking worried,” I admit. “I couldn’t forgive myself if something had happened to you.”
He doesn’t say anything—just hugs me tighter and rests his forehead against mine.
“Did this bring up a bad memory?” he asks gently.
My eyes water, and I nod.
“Yeah. First, when Daddy passed, and then when Ruin was in a car accident. I couldn’t do anything to help Daddy. When Ruin woke up, and we realized she had lost four years of her memories, at least I got to help her. But with you…” I step back and wipe my face. “I thought I’d made things worse.”
I cover my face, overwhelmed, but he gently moves my hands away and kisses them—once, then twice. My knees nearly buckle.
“I want to joke about how butter nearly ended my career,” he says, “but I won’t. Because right now, you’re showing me how much you care, and I love that. Something tells me you don’t show your emotions often.”
I frown. He smiles.
“Rain MacAllister. Ball-buster extraordinaire,” he teases, brushing my cheek. “Trust me enough to let me see the real Rain.”
I place my hands on his waist and tilt my head back, letting him see the emotion in my face—tears that haven’t fallen, lips still trembling. I hope he sees what he means to me.
Xander cradles my face and leans in, whispering against my lips:
“Same, Cherry. I care about you so fucking much.”
I gasp softly, then he kisses me.
This kiss is different. It’s not just heat this time. It feels like we’re pouring our souls into this kiss, and I’ve never felt more cared for in my life.
When we part, I feel light. Free.
Is this how it feels to be in love?
I thought I was in love before. But this? This is something else.
“Join me in the shower?” Xander asks, eyes smouldering.
I shake my head, smiling.
