Page 92 of Catcher

A soft sound slips out of her before she can catch it. I feel the way her body eases beneath my hands, the tension finally loosening from her shoulders as her breathing turns slower, steadier. And for one fragile second, it feels like she’s trusting me to carry some of the weight for her.

Ruby leans back into my chest. My hands pick up the soap and move lower after rinsing her hair, gliding over bruised shoulders and down her arms with slow, deliberate care. I wash every inch of her as if she were something precious.

Because she is, even if I still don’t fully know what to do with that realization.

Without speaking, I turn her to face me.

Ruby watches me through lowered lashes once my hands drift along her waist. Her lips part slightly, and her breathing changes.

Ruby allowing me to care for her is somehow more dangerous than losing control ever would’ve been. The moment feels more intimate than sex somehow.

My hand slides carefully over her stomach, over our baby, and something inside me cracks open all over again.

Mine.

Ours.

My forehead rests briefly against hers, and I close my eyes for a second longer than I should.

Ruby’s fingers slide into my hair slowly.

Not rushed.

Not needy.

Just touching me as if she can’t help herself.

And I’ll be damned if standing here with her naked beneath my hands while carrying my child doesn’t feel dangerously close to getting handed something I stopped believing I deserved a long damn time ago.

Something good.

Something permanent.

And that kind of hope is terrifying as hell.

I kiss her before I can think better of it. It’s slow and deep. Careful at first. Her lips are warm and soft beneath mine, and the second she kisses me back, something low and hungry pulls tight inside my chest.

I’m less careful when she kisses me back with hunger.

Ruby’s fingers tighten suddenly in my hair, and a quiet sound vibrates against my mouth.

Fuck.

The water runs hot over both of us while my hands slide along wet skin, memorizing curves. Every drag of her mouth against mine is consuming.

I could stay right here forever and still never get enough of her.

“You trust me?” I murmur.

Her answer comes instantly, “Yes,” with no hesitation.

I drop to my knees in front of her and softly kiss the inside of her thigh. Then again, slow enough to feel her shiver. Her fingers tighten in my hair as I move closer to her center, taking my time because I want every second of this burned into memory.

“Catcher…” My name leaves her lips on a whisper.

“You gonna let me taste you, babe?” I drag my lips against the inside of her thigh, kissing higher while her fingers tighten in my hair. Her hips twitch before she stills herself.

I growl against her skin, low and rough. “Christ, you’re gonna make me lose what little control I got left, woman.”