Page 56 of Loving Lex

“You’ll always be safe with me, baby.”

“I know,” she breathed, a shaky smile on her lips.

Honestly, I couldn’t fathom how it must feel to be sold out by your own flesh and blood like that, but at least she’d have me from now on, for better or worse. Forever.

We rode in silence the rest of the way back to the apartment. I half carried her up to my place, sparing her any memories of being abducted from hers. I shot off a text to the guys, letting them know we’d made it back safely and thanked them again for their help before turning off my phone for the night.

I led her to the shower, stripped us both down, then washed us both clean of the night. Nothing sexual. I just took care of her, and she let me, too tired to do much else. Afterwards, I dried us off and tugged one of my t-shirts over her head before tucking her into the bed.

When I stepped away, she grabbed my hand. “Where are you going?”

“I’ll be right back.”

I went to the kitchen and returned with a plate of snacks and two water bottles. She was half asleep, but she sat up and thanked me with a sleepy smile.

When we were done eating, I snuggled in next to her and collected her into my arms.

I felt her tears before I heard them, as they fell hot and unabashed on my naked chest. My first instinct was to say something to console her, but I realized that wasn’t what she needed. She needed to cry it out, so I kept my mouth shut and let her sob in my arms.

“I thought he was going to kill me, Lex.” Her words were deep and anguished when they finally came, making my heart even heavier than it already was. “I thought I’d die right there in that basement,” she went on, her words coated in pain. “I thought I’d never see you again.” She clutched me so tight, it was as if she was trying to burrow right under my skin. “That... that was the one thought I couldn’t bear, Lex, because...”

I held my breath as my own eyes burned.

Then I felt her resistance crumble as the words tumbled out, her fingers digging into my waist. “Because I love you. I love you so much.”

She was awash with weeping again, but my heart was pounding in my chest like a runaway racehorse for a whole new reason now.

I dropped my cheek to the crown of her head. “Would you mind saying that again, Shay baby?”

Her cries softened, and I’d swear I felt her smile softly against my chest. Slowly, she moved and lifted her head to meet my gaze. “Which part?”

My fingers tangled in her hair. “I think you know which part.”

Her tiny hands framed my face as she looked deep into my eyes as if she were memorizing me... or maybe searching for something. “Real has always been hard for me, Lex. Until tonight. Until now. Until I thought I would never see you again, then I realized thatrealis all there is—all that matters.” Her eyes dropped for a moment, then lifted again as her lips trembled with emotion. “When I was in that disgusting place, the only thing that gave me hope wasyou...you’remy real, Lex. I’m so thankful I found you, and I love you so much.” She traced my jaw with her hand. “I’m soin lovewith you it makes me dizzy.”

“God, baby...” I was so overcome, I lost my words, so I pulled her on top of me, cradling her with my entire body, her head in its perfect spot in my collarbone, her legs tangled with mine, one palm to the small of her back, one to her crown. “How did I get so fucking lucky?” I squeezed my eyes shut to the blur of emotion and kissed her head. “Because you’re more than my real, you’re my fucking everything, Shay. My life, my breath, my soul. If I’d lost you tonight, I swear to God, I—”

She raked a hand through my hair. “I know.”

“I’m so in love with you, Shay, I’m more than dizzy. I’m finally whole.”

EPILOGUE

Shay

Istretched lazily,sunlight warming my body as my bare limbs slid along soft sheets... different sheets, different texture, different smell... I forced my eyes open as adrenaline shoved my heart into a quickened staccato, and I sat up with a gasp, my hands reaching next to me to land on an empty pillow.

I was alone.

My sleep-hazed brain absorbed the room slowly.

The old-style décor of the French Quarter of New Orleans surrounded me with warm colors and ancient wood beams that had seen and heard a million secrets. The sounds of life outside on nearby Bourbon Street met my ears.

Our hotel room.

Vacation.

I took a deep, cleansing breath and let it go, raking fingers through my tousled hair.

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