Page 79 of Bound

He looks at me, his brow furrowed, then he sighs, pulling back the covers and climbing into bed.

“Stay with me tonight, Lilly?” he says, the end sounding like a question. I heave a sigh of relief, a smile forming on my lips as I climb into bed next to him, surrounded by his refreshing woods after the rain scent as we settle down, facing one another.

“Can I play you a song?” I ask, remembering a song that I heard recently, which is perfect for all I want to say to him in this moment.

“Sure,” he replies, reaching for his phone and handing it to me. I left mine downstairs as I couldn’t bear to look at it, not after that message.

I scroll Spotify until I find what I’m after, connecting the device to the bluetooth speakers in his room, and then hitting play.

Carry Youby Ruelle and Fleurie starts to play as we lie there, gazing into each other's souls. My lips move with the lyrics, Kai’s hand cupping my face as tears spring in his eyes. My own smart and burn, and soon the pillow beneath us is damp. I keep mouthing the lyrics, telling him that I am here and that he’s not alone.

We stay that way, letting the music flow through us, going some way to heal the cuts and gashes that the past few hours have inflicted on our souls and hearts. Those wounds that can’t be fixed with antiseptic and plasters. The song finishes, and we continue to watch each other, Kai’s hand on my cheek, and mine on his bare chest, feeling his heartbeat underneath my fingertips.

My eyes go wide as there’s a sudden flutter in my lower stomach.

“What?” Kai asks, his body going stiff as he sits up slightly. I'm about to reply when I feel it again, like butterflies tickling me. A smile tugs my lips up.

“I can feel our baby, Kai,” I whisper, my hand leaving his chest, placing it on my stomach where I can feel the movements. I wait for another flutter, and although I feel it on the inside, my hand remains still. “Only inside, but it’s moving, Kai.”

The smile that alights on his face is so beautiful that angels must weep in the heavens as he practically glows.

“Can I?” he asks, lifting his own hand off my cheek. “I know I won’t feel anything.”

Taking his hand in mine, I place it directly above where the flutters keep happening. As his palm warms the area up, the flutter happens again, three times in quick succession.

“It knows you're here.” I beam, not caring if it's bullshit as the quiver happens once more.

He smiles wide back at me, even though I know he can’t feel a damn thing. We fall asleep like that, facing each other, his warm hand covering the life that’s growing inside of me, and smiles on our faces.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

KAI

For the first time in a long time, longer than I can remember, I sleep soundly, with no night terrors to plague my dreams. Perhaps my sleep these past few months would have been more restful if I’d slept in the same bed as Lilly sooner. But she was haunted by her own nighttime demons, I didn’t want to add mine as well.

I wake up slowly, beautiful hazel eyes gazing at me, soft with love and acceptance. My heart tightens painfully in my chest, but it’s not an unwelcome sensation.

“Good morning, Kai love,” she whispers, a smile teasing those lush lips of hers as she continues to drink me in as I do her.

“Good morning, darling,” I manage to choke out, realizing that my hand is still on her stomach, over where her baby grows.

Our baby grows.

That is going to take some getting used to.

But a fierce surge of protectiveness floods my body, settling in my soul as we lie there, my hand flexing on her stomach. I will defend this innocent until my last breath if need be.

“How are you feeling?” she asks, a cute as fuck frown line appearing between her brows as she brings her hand up to stroke my face. Shivers run over my body at her touch, as they always do.

I pause before answering, really taking stock of how I’m feeling after everything that happened last night.

“Raw,” I reply with complete honesty. “But lighter now that it’s out in the open. Like a weight has been lifted.” She gives me a smile so bright, I’m surprised I’m not blinded forever more.

“I’m glad you’re not having to carry it alone anymore, my love,” she whispers, her voice thick and the shine of tears sparkling in her eyes.

“Me too,” I murmur in response, closing my eyes and rubbing my face into her hand with a sigh.

“Kai?” she asks, her voice tentative and a little unsure. I open my eyes to see her biting her lip, my morning wood twitching at the sight.

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