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Lila
I open my eyes to his body stretched out under the sheets. The rise and fall of his chest brings a smile to my lips. This is real. We’re here, together, and I’m his wife. Maybe it didn’t happen how I dreamed, but I can’t imagine being with anyone else.
And yes, I know he’s made mistakes. Who hasn’t? I do think that he’s had my best interests at heart every step of the way.
“I can feel you looking at me,” he says. “Good morning.” His voice is husky with sleep and warms me up inside.
“I was,” I say, not even embarrassed. “Morning.” I snuggle into him, feeling his warmth and inhaling his comforting scent.
It's strange to think that we're married now, after everything that's happened. But as much as I hate to admit it, there's a big part of me that feels happy about knowing he’s mine after being so afraid of losing him again. Now we’re forever linked.
“What’s on your mind?” he asks, lifting his elbow to peek at me.
“That we’re married.”
He lifts up on one elbow and leans in to kiss me. “I want a big wedding; how does that sound?” he murmurs against my lips.
I can’t help but smile. “I always thought I’d have some small private wedding.”
He inhales a deep breath between his teeth. “How can I show you off to the world if we have a small wedding?”
Brushing my lips against his, I lift both shoulders. I have no doubt that we’ll figure this out, too. But fear of the future fills me, and my stomach twists up in painful knots that leave me worried I might be sick.
“You’re stressed,” he says, pulling back to look me in the eyes.
“A little. I’m worried. What if we both regret this?” I don’t want his dad’s fortune. I don’t want my life to change in every possible way. I’d rather forget about the money part.
“Then we’ll figure it out if or when that happens.” He winds an arm around me, and I feel comfortable and safe. “Until then, I want to enjoy you.” A wicked smile crosses his lips. “And make up for lost time. I was stupid for leaving you.”
“Yeah, you were,” I say with a smile.
He chuckles. “Forgive me; I swear it won’t happen again.”
“Better not.” I kiss him again, and he runs a hand up my arm to cup my cheek.“I think I’m going to take a shower,” I say, pulling away even as his hands try to hold me in place.
“Me, too.” With that, he chases me into the bathroom as playful panic has me running from him. Laughter bubbles from my lips as he catches me. His hands are gentle as he begins to undress me, and my giggles give way to warmth. I pull his shirt off and drop it and wrap my arms around him, loving how warm his skin is against mine.
He gropes behind him, turning on the shower as I pull back. I tug down his boxers and they puddle at his feet as he steps out of them. He’s ready for me, but as he pulls me into his arms, he doesn't even try to take things to the next level.
Instead, he lifts me and steps under the hot fall of water. The steam engulfs us as Fredrick and I stand face to face.
His reddish-brown eyes lock on mine, and I feel a shiver run down my spine. He reaches for the soap and lathers up his hands before running them over my shoulders and down my arms. The bubbly slide does weird things to my belly and heart rate, and when he runs his hands over my ribs, I shy away from the touch.
“Ticklish?” he asks, a sly grin crossing his lips.
I nod, laughing as his hands retrace their path, tickling me. Our bodies press together, and I can feel the heat between us growing. But there's something different about this intimacy and neither of us seem to want to push it further. Instead, we’re simply enjoying one another.
“Fredrick,” I say softly, looking up at him.
He meets my gaze, waiting for me to continue.
“You make me happy,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
He smiles, pulling me into a tight embrace. “You make me happy, too,” he says into my ear. Our bodies slide together, and I can feel the tension building. But we're both content in this moment, enjoying each other's company.
He’s quick to get back to scrubbing me down, then turns me so my back is to him. I feel his hands touch my scalp and the coolness of shampoo as his fingertips massage my head.
I close my eyes and let myself get lost in the feeling of his gentle, loving touch. “Are you okay?” Fredrick asks close to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
