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Nero draws a bath for me, and heads downstairs to the kitchen while it runs. He returns with a plate of cold pizza. “Sorry, this was all I had.”
“Are you kidding?” I say, devouring the leftovers with delight. “I’ve never been so happy to see day-old pizza in my life before.”
The bath fills, and Nero adds some of my favorite oils, too. Then he carefully helps strip my bloodstained clothing over my head. “Burn everything,” I tell him, tossing the garments aside. He helps me into the tub, and I sink into the hot water with a sigh.
“Good?” he checks, testing the temperature.
“Amazing,” I say. My body aches, but the water feels amazing. Nero soaps up a washcloth, and gently begins washing me, cleaning every inch of my skin in careful strokes, until I’m totally clean. Then he wraps me in a massive fluffy towel and guides me back to bed.
My heart melts. He’s taking care of me in a way that no one ever has.
Nero sits me back down and fetches me a pair of pajamas. “I’ll let you rest,” he says quietly, turning to go. “I need to go start cleaning up Chase’s mess.”
“Wait,” I stop him. “Are you coming back?”
He turns, and to my surprise, there’s hesitation in his eyes. “That depends… If you want me to.”
I stare. Do I want…?
“Of course I want you to,” I exclaim, confused. “I told you, in the woods—”
“You were traumatized. You’ve been through a lot.”
“No, we’ve been through a lot,” I say strongly. “And we came out the other side. We have a second chance here, or maybe it’s our third, or fourth, but either way, I don’t want to miss out on this again.” I tell him. “I don’t want to have to miss you.”
Nero’s expression changes. He comes to me, holding my hand. “I’m so, so sorry,” he swears again.
“You don’t need to apologize for anything.” I insist. “Well, except maybe trying to send me away, but I understand, you were only trying to protect me.”
“I’d do anything to keep you safe, baby.”
“I know.”
His eyes burn into mine, and the depth of emotion there is astounding. He’s held so much of it back from me, but now it’s all laid bare for me to see. “I love you, Nero. You’ve always said I belong to you… Well, you belong to me too. Whatever the future holds, we’re in this together.”
“I love you so much.” He kisses me softly, still taking care not to hurt my wounds.
Then he gets down on one knee, right there in front of me.
I gasp.
“I know you never got a real proposal,” Nero says, with a bashful smile. “We got married for all the wrong reasons, but I want to do it right this time. I’ve always been in love with you, Lily, since the very first day I laid eyes on you. You’re amazing. So strong and smart. You’re tough as hell, and I can’t get over the fact that you’re mine. I’ve spent my life trying to be a man that deserves you, and I’ve failed a few times, but if you’re willing to give me another shot, I’ll come through for you. I want to be the husband you deserve. Will you be my wife?” he asks, gazing up at me. “For real, this time.”
My answer chokes with a sob, but it was never in doubt. “Yes!”
This man has showed me the best of himself, and the worst, and I’ve loved him all the same. I’m meant to be with him—no matter what.
Nero rises to his feet and pulls me into a gentle hug, burying his face in my neck. I wrap my arms around him, as Nero kisses me. The embrace deepens, and I press closer, wanting him, but he pulls away.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he whispers.
“You won’t.”
I stand, letting my towel fall to the floor before I lay back on the bed. Our bed.
Nero’s eyes rove over me, and for a moment, I’m self-conscious about the marks and bruises. But there’s nothing except reverence in his eyes.
He strips off his clothes, and joins me on the bed, his mouth covering mine again. Tenderness shimmers in the air as Nero softly runs his hands over my body, caressing me gently, leaving no part of me untouched. I hold him, reveling in the feel of him under my hands again. his strong body. The honed muscles that protected me, fought for me.
