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My heart breaks out of my chest, landing in her hand when she answers, “I want you to stay.”
That’s my girl.
37
The door clicks behind Blake and Tyson as they leave for the day. Libby’s quick to lock it, which is interesting. There’s no way she isn’t safe with me here, but apparently she’s more anxious than she’s leading on.
Spending last night in her bed was vastly different from the last one, but just as beautiful. Holding Libby all night long is just as addicting as tasting her. Although she let me sleep in her bed, we didn’t talk about what had happened. I want to know how she’s really feeling, because the facade she’s putting on isn’t fooling me. But I won’t push her to tell me. She’s dealt with enough people pushing her around.
I sit on the couch to give her some space. Watching, thanks to the open concept, as she weightlessly moves around the kitchen. I don’t want to put her on edge, but I can’t help looking at her. Especially when she’s only wearing my shirt and a pair of panties. She’s stunning, even when doing mundane things.
“Do you want tea or anything?” Libby calls from the kitchen.
Remembering our conversation from a while ago, I tease her a little. “You know how to make tea?”
She peeks her head around the corner with an eyebrow arched. “Yes. Why would I offer you any if I didn’t know how to make it?”
“Maybe you were just trying to be helpful.” I shrug. That adorable shade of pink returns to her cheeks.
“Right,” she says and drops her eyes to the floor. “Thank you for last night. For helping with the salon and everything.” Her mouth twists like this is hard for her to say. “And for staying. I’m sure you have work you need to get back to or something.”
What the fuck is that? She's giving me a pass to leave? I don’t like that she’s thanking me for things that are a given. Sure, it’s common courtesy to give thanks for it, but the way she’s doing it makes it seem like she feels like she’s a burden. And nothing could be further from the truth.
“There’s nowhere else I’d be right now, Libs. And I told you last night, I’m here for you. Nothing else matters.” This has her eyes meeting mine again, but they’re laced with skepticism. I get up from the couch and go to her. “Why don’t we skip the tea and go get some lunch?”
“Oh.” Her body instantly shifts and the tension is visible. “Um, sure, we can do that. Let me just… go get changed.” Her movements are shaky. Shit.
“How about you stay here and I’ll go get it myself? I’d rather you not have to change your clothes.” I shoot her a wink to ease some tension. She hasn’t been the same since the door shut behind our friends. Hopefully it’s not me that’s doing this to her. The last thing I want is to make things harder on her.
Her icy blues meet mine again and I’ll be damned if they don’t knock the air out of my lungs. Full of warmth, innocence, and vulnerability. I’m intoxicated by the emotions she holds in them. Everything on display. Making me want to devour it all. She’s so pure. Even with the things she struggles with, the core of who Libby is, is the purest form of good. Whatever demons she’s hiding, I want them. Need them. I’ll conquer them all. For her.
For the millionth time since the moment I first laid eyes on her, I have to stop myself from crushing my lips against hers. So I put my hands in my pockets to keep from doing something stupid. As much as I’d love to take her on the counter, Libby doesn’t need that right now. Hell, she might not even want it after possibly feeling violated by the salon getting broken into.
“I’m sorry. Let me change and we can go.” She rushes her words.
That backfired. “Libby, you don’t need to do that.” I need to tread lightly. Clearly I’m not coming across as I’d hoped. “I wasn’t kidding when I said my clothes look good on you.” Her eyes are everywhere but on me. I can’t hold back any longer. Taking three long strides, I don’t stop until I’m in her personal space. From this proximity, I have to tilt my head down even more to get a good look at her.
Fuck. Her scent is heavenly. A mix of sweet and salty. She smells like a vacation. Being this close, breathing her in, makes me lose all my senses. Just like many times before, my gentle hesitation completely goes out the window. All that’s left is the man that I am, looking at the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. The woman who, for all intens and purposes, is my wife.
I tilt her head up to look at me. Fingers blazing at the touch, I make it a point to look directly into her eyes when I speak to her. I don’t want there to be any doubt in her mind of what I tell her.
“I need you to look at me when we talk. Can you do that for me?” That pretty little head of hers nods. “Thank you.” I take a moment to keep my wits about me. “If you’re more comfortable in your own clothes, then by all means, go change. But don’t do it on my behalf. Because if it were up to me, you’d never wear anything other than my shirts, and I’d be the happiest man alive.”
After a moment of silent staring, Libby finally speaks. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll just stay in these,” she says while playing with the hem of my shirt that’s hanging at her thighs. “I don’t really want to leave the apartment.”
I smile stupidly, letting myself indulge in the thought that she enjoys being in my clothes. “Deal. Now, what are you in the mood for?” The devious part of me wants her to say me, but he needs to stay in his cage.
“Whatever you want. I’m not picky.” Whatever I want… down, boy. God, what is my problem? I have little to no self control when it comes to this woman.
“I think I can work with that,” I say. Short and sweet is the only way I’m making it out of this conversation with my dignity intact. “Any allergies?” I ask. That’s probably something I should know at this point.
“Nope,” she says, popping the P.
“Okay. I’ll be back in 30 minutes.” I grab my phone and wallet, putting them in my pockets. “Call me if you need anything. Lock the door behind me. I’ll let you know when I’m back.” I place a chaste kiss on her lips.
“Okay.” She’s so quiet, I almost can’t hear her. I pause in the open doorway to steal one more look at her. She’s sitting on the arm of the couch with her arms wrapped around herself. The smile on my face is inevitable, but the small one she gives in return is breathtaking. Even when she’s anxious, she’s captivating.
I’m in trouble.
