Page 115 of Still Here Without You

My eyes widen for a moment before narrowing again. Tilting my head to the side, I stare silently until she opens her eyes. “Is thisnotyour first time in a bath?”

Delilah grins wickedly. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Delilah…” I warn, trying to maneuver myself closer. She giggles, and I can’t stop my smile. I’ll never tire of that sound.

“I’ve never had sex in a bath, Joel. And somehow, I don’t think that stat is going to change anytime soon. You’re going to hurt yourself. Come on.” She stands up again, and this time I really pay attention to her. In my eyes, she’s perfect. Her porcelain skin glistens as the droplets slide down her body, and the flush on her cheeks starts to fade as the night air cools her. She steps out of the bath and wordlessly takes my arm, helping me to stand. When I’m safely beside her, she cautiously reaches out and touches the tip of her finger to the spot just below my bandage-covered wound before her eyes meet mine. “Are you sure you’re okay? I really think you should be resting.”

Taking a step forward, I frame her face in my hands and press my forehead to hers. “You’re here, you’re naked, and you’re finally mine. How could I possiblynotbe okay? Everything is finally as it should be, and I’ve never been happier.”

She nods but I’m not sure she believes me. Her eyes are still surveying my chest. I watch her move from one cut to the next, and when her breath hitches and her eyes widen, I know she’s seen my tattoo. Her finger runs over the tiny bit of black that’s partially hidden under the waterproof bandages still covering my wound. She looks up at me through her thick lashes as she moves her hand away. “When did you get this?”

“The day of the Ball House party,” I rasp.

Her eyes squeeze shut, dropping her chin to her chest, most likely thinking about that day. When she looks back at me again, her eyes are misty.

“What is it?” she asks, her voice clogged with emotion.

Pulling the tape free from my skin, I lift the bandage slightly and show her the intricately designed symbol of a heart in chains sketched above my own. “In short it means ‘bound by love not blood.’”

She pulls her bottom lip into her mouth as her eyes widen. “You got this before you knew? Before my email?” She’s asking a question but she knows the answer.

“I did.”

Delilah sucks in a breath, and then her lips meet mine as her arms wrap around me. Not wasting any time, I walk her back toward the counter and lift her up, positioning her ass close to the edge. She leans back until her head rests against the bathroom mirror, opening her legs wide so I can step between them. I move myself to her entrance, rubbing up and down her core, sliding easily through her wetness. She moans, and that, combined with the feel of her, almost sends me flying.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly push inside her, groaning at how tight she feels. When I sink into her as deep as I can go, she gasps before wrapping her legs around me and pulling me closer. My muscles tense as I try to hold back, knowing we have to take things slow. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t in pain, but it’s bearable, and the incredible feel of being inside Delilah again takes most of it away. “Is it okay if I move?” Delilah asks through clenched teeth, a nervous look on her face. I pump into her by way of answering and then groan when she grinds along with me.

Leaning forward at the same time Delilah sits up, we meet in a scorching kiss as our bodies move in sync. My breathing becomes erratic as our speed increases until I have to break away to take in more air. Our noses brush as I pump harder, gripping the counter to give me more power. When I feel Delilah tighten around me, I know that she’s close. Lifting her slightly with one hand, I change the angle and find that spot that has her screaming my name. “Fuck, Joel. Yes.”

Her words have me spiraling over the edge as I release inside her before dropping my forehead to hers. “You are my world, Delilah. And no matter what happens, I want you to always trust in that.”

“I will. Always. I’m here, Joel. You’ll never be without me again.”

“That, my beautiful pain in the ass, is all I ever asked for.”

Epilogue One

Thanksgiving - Five months later

Delilah

“Soyoudidthislast year and now it’s tradition?” I ask Joel with a smile on my face as we approach the door to Dylan and Lucy’s childhood home.

He laughs. “Yes. What’s with the look?”

“Nothing, I just think your friendship group is adorable.”

Joel wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into him, before messing up my hair. “That’s enough from you. And they’re your friends too, now.”

I lean back on his arm and smile up at him. “They are. And they’re perfect.”

He shrugs. “I’m a good judge of character. After all, I’m dating you.”

The front door opens just as we reach it and Lucy pops out. “Finally. Dylan’s been driving me mad; I need someone to help me give him shit.”

“I’m always at your service when it comes to that.” Joel takes off his hat and bows before slipping it on backward, almost making me falter.

Lucy walks ahead of us, so I pull Joel to a stop. “Since when do you wear a backward baseball cap?”

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