Page 86 of Vicious Hearts

"I thought you'd be watching the news," Roxy says. "Have you heard from Hillard?"

"I didn't wanna put the television on in here and disturb you, but there was no way I was gonna leave you, either." I nod at the newspaper on the arm of the chair. "I've been keeping up with events, though. Hillard hasn't been in touch, but it looks like he's in the shit."

"And you?" Her eyes are full of concern. "Are you in trouble?"

"I don't exist as far as the case is concerned. Thekommissiyamight have something to say about it, so my head may yet roll for this."

Roxy sighs. "What do we do now? There's so much to sort out. I have no idea what will happen to Always Home with the manager and all three trustees out of the picture. We'll be shut down, and all those kids will lose their safe place."

"Don't worry about that now." I brush her hair away from her forehead, stopping to stroke her cheek with my finger. "The doctor said you can go home when you're ready. Your headache is just from the after-effects of the chloroform, plus the impact of your head hitting the dash."

"Home?"

I know what she's asking.

We've come full circle. Back to the start, with Roxy in a hospital bed and me somewhat responsible for the chain of events that put her there. Asking for her forgiveness yet again.

But it's different this time. I'm no longer afraid to love her. I believe in her. Inus.

"Youfeel like home, Rox." I drop a kiss on her brow. "I don't wanna be anywhere you're not. I still don't know how to be the man you deserve, but I'm willing totryto be good for you."

Roxy smiles mischievously. "Nottoogood. I didn't spend months dreaming of you and all that rough stuff you love, only for you to go soppy on me."

This woman is perfection.I can't keep the shit-eating grin off my face.

"You better mean that," I say. "Because I'll try to be a gentleman if you want, but I'd prefer to spend the rest of my life wrecking you in every way I can think of. All this tension needs a release, and you look damn good to me right now."

Roxy laughs. "Right now? Can we at least get back to your place? That bathtub of yours is calling to me."

"So I'm forgiven for being the sexiest fucking idiot you ever met?" I laugh.

"Nope." She smirks. "You gotta earn it."

I look at her gorgeous face, and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. I was so committed to my loneliness that I almost lost the woman I adore.

"I love you, Roxy." It feels good to say it aloud. "I didn't know I could feel this way, but now that I've accepted it, the world feels like a wonderful place."

"I love you too," Roxy replies. "Now let's get out of here."

32

Six hours later…

Roxy

Ilean against Ben's chest, his arms around me, and let the water soothe my aching bones. There's plenty of room for us both in the bathtub, and the water is hot and deep.

Ben's hands move over my skin, massaging soap suds into my shoulders. He moves down to my breasts, working the lather over them as he cups them in his palms. My nipples stiffen as they break the surface of the water.

"So tell me," he murmurs, pinching my nipples gently, "did you ever put that dildo of yours anywhereotherthan in your pussy?"

"Sure," I say. "I put it in my nightstand drawer."

He chuckles and shifts his legs. I feel his stiffening cock between my buttocks.

"You know what I mean." He nibbles my ear. "I told you—allyour holes are mine. But there's one I'm yet to claim."

He wants to fuck me in the ass. I've always been curious about what it would feel like, but I never dared to put more than a fingertip in there.

---