Page 49 of Unravel Me

“Do I have to?”

“I’d like you to, but I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to.”

I crack one, just a smidge. He cracks a smile, lopsided and sweet.

“What is it you’re afraid of right now, me, or swimming?’

“What if I said both?”

“Well, I’d tell you that you have nothing to be afraid of when it comes to me. I’ll be gentle, and I’m not going to hurt you.” He sweeps his thumb over the dimple in my chin, coaxing my gaze open. Cobalt eyes lift to mine. “I wish I could tell you that you have nothing to be afraid of when it comes to swimming, too, but I don’t know your reasons, and I won’t undermine them. I want you to know, though, that you’re safe with me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“You promise?”

“Swear it.”

I take one step, then another, dropping five inches lower, then ten, and my fingernails bite into his shoulders. Strong hands squeeze my waist tighter, guiding me into him. When he sinks to the bottom, water kissing his chest, he pulls my limbs around him, letting me cling to him.

“’Atta girl,” he murmurs against my temple. “You okay?”

I nod into his neck. “Don’t let go, please.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“I almost drowned when I was eleven,” I blurt. “A firefighter saved me. It was a…a silly accident. In my own pool.”

“Fuck, Rosie. I’m sorry.” His hands still on my body. He starts wading toward the stairs. “I would’ve never asked you to—”

“No, please. It’s okay.” I drag my face from the safe spot in his neck. “It’s something I’ve been working on for years, getting back in the water, and it’s been a priority since Connor was born. I know why my fears exist, but I don’t want them to control me forever. More than that, I don’t want them to impact Connor’s life. He loves the water, and I want him to feel confident and safe in it. We’re learning together.”

Adam’s gaze is steady on mine, a comforting weight that tells me he’s listening, taking it in. “Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey.” He dips his mouth to my shoulder, pressing a kiss there that sends all the blood to my head, making me dizzy. “I won’t push you to do anything you aren’t ready for. You tell me where your boundaries are and I’ll respect them.”

“It’s easier,” I mumble against his neck. “With you, it feels easier.”

“I feel the same with you.”

I look at him, the shadow of stubble lining his rugged jawline, the sharp line of his cheekbones, the way his curls hang in effortless perfection above his eyes. “What’s easier for you?”

“Being me,” he whispers. “Just me.”

I take his face in my hands and swallow every worry. “I like you, Adam. Just you, the way you are.”

His smile is like the brightest beam of sunshine, heating the coldest, darkest parts of me. He drops his nose to mine, his lips so close I can taste the mint on his breath. “I like you, too, Rosie. Just you.”

CHAPTER12

FUCKING HYPNOTIZING

ADAM

Perfection exists,and it’s right here in my arms.

It’s soft green eyes that light so easily, giving way to every emotion that passes through her. It’s a heart-shaped mouth, rosy lips that give way to a smile that knocks the air from my lungs. That sun-kissed nose and the way it crinkles every time she laughs.

The way she feels in my arms in this very moment, warm skin that melts into mine, the dip in her waist where I grip her, the roundness of her intoxicating hips, begging me to drag my hands lower, to explore every inch of her.

I could float through the rest of my life content in knowing I’ve held perfection in these arms.

Rosie lays her cheek on my shoulder with a soft sigh, tucking her face into my neck, like I’m her safe space. I think she might be mine.

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