Unravel Me (27 page)

While I washed him, his breathing remained quick and ragged. I attempted to catch his eye a few times but they stayed closed. I covered every inch of him with almond scented suds.

“Want me to do your back too?”

His lids popped open, revealing tormented emerald irises. The visual left me breathless. Water cascaded over his shoulders, rinsing off the soap. He bent his head back, letting the water run over his face and hair. I reached for the shampoo almost as an instinct and squeezed some into the palm of my hand. Reaching up, I slid my fingers through his hair, working the shampoo into an effervescent foam. I massaged it into his scalp as he pressed his fingers into the small of my back. Resting his forehead to mine, he sighed.

“That feels good. Thank you.”

I smiled, happy that he was finally relaxing. “I’ve been wanting to wash your hair for awhile.”

“Why?”

“Just because.”

A small grin curled his lips. “Direct and to the point as usual, Meyers.”

I swiped a cluster of bubbles across his nose. “Rinse.”

Stepping back under the showerhead, he washed off the remaining shampoo. I admired how his muscles contracted and relaxed with each movement. It was so easy to find beauty in everything he did.

“Your turn, kitten.”

The deep, sensuous sound of his voice revved up my pulse. His eyes were no longer tortured or tormented. They were dark green pools of molten lava.

“My turn for what?”

Moving closer, he skimmed the lathered pouf over my shoulders and down to my breasts. He stopped there, deliberately rubbing the mesh fabric over my nipples. The sensation made my vision double.

“Do you like that?” he asked.

I think I nodded. I was only aware of how close his mouth was to mine and feeling his heated breath on me. He continued moving the pouf lower and lower, pausing at my lower abdomen.

“Tell me where to stop.” His mouth still hovered over mine so I lightly bit his lower lip, mindful of where he’d been hurt. “Hmm,” he hummed. “Feisty.”

Sliding his tongue into my mouth, he kissed me with reckless abandon. I shoved my hands in his hair and pulled, hard. Moaning, he parted my legs with his right knee and brushed the pouf along my hypersensitive skin. Gasping, I broke our mouths apart and leaned my head against the wall.

“Stop there?” he asked.

“Keep going,” I panted.

“Like this?” Dropping the pouf, he slipped two fingers inside me and pressed the heel of his hand to my clit.

“Yes,” I groaned, yanking on his hair again. Steam from the hot water swirled and billowed around us. The sweet, messy edge of oblivion took over, clearing my mind of everything. All that mattered was him; his breathing, his touch, his skin on mine.

The rhythmic way he worked my body never ceased to amaze me. My left leg started to shake violently.

“Look at me. That’s it, love. Let go.”

Locked in a heated stare with him, I succumbed to an orgasm so intense I held onto his shoulders for dear life. He kissed and caressed me, whispering words of affection on my skin. He still had a feral look in his eyes, which reignited my need for him.

A sly grin spread across his face. “I need to do something about this look. Come with me.”

Shutting off the water, I climbed out of the shower and followed him into my bedroom. He pinned me against the wall, holding my arms over my head. I wriggled, trying free myself.

“Not this time, kitten. I want you to surrender to me completely, like you almost did in the shower.”

“But I want to touch you.”

“I know. I want you to touch me but this is something you need to do. You always come so close to losing yourself. So close. There’s still a part of you that’s afraid.”

I sucked in a breath, amazed at how deeply into my soul he could see.

“I lose myself in you constantly,” he continued. “It’s the greatest feeling in the world. I want you to feel that. I want you to put all your trust in me. I can see you, Amelia. I can see your doubts and fears, just as you see mine. Let yourself go. Give yourself to me completely.”

Warmth spread out from my core to the rest of my body, filling me with anticipation. I relaxed, nodding. Keeping my arms pinned above my head, he locked me in a heated, passionate kiss. As a reflex, I moved my hands in an attempt to touch him. He tightened his grip on me, pressing his body into mine to prevent further movement. Instead of struggling against him, I surrendered. I released all of my trepidations, fears and anxieties, focusing on only thing; how good it felt to be cherished and loved by another.

“My Lia,” he breathed, lowering my arms but keeping them in a firm grip. “I love you. Always.”

Wilting from his words and velvet kisses, I slumped into the wall. All my muscles became heavy and useless as love and lust danced and swirled through me. He didn’t even have to restrain me anymore if he chose not to. I was immobile, completely at his mercy.

I loved the way it made me feel. He now had sole custody over my heart and soul. The gleam in his eyes told me he knew I’d submitted to him. In one fluid motion, he possessed me, sliding in without hesitation. He lifted me, hooking my legs around his hips before pressing my body to the wall. Never breaking eye contact with him, I reveled in every methodical thrust and soft moan. I saw every emotion behind his mask. He’d never looked more beautiful or vulnerable.

As the intensity of his movements increased, his grasp on my arms loosened. Letting go, he placed his hands on either side of my head, flattening his body to mine.

“Touch me,” he growled. “I can’t go any longer without your hands on me.”

His skin warmed immediately as I slid my hands along his lower back, pausing above the curve of his backside. Panting heavily into my neck, he filled me with feverish movements and unbridled passion. Only the sounds of my back hitting the wall and his moans echoed through the room.

My mind scrambled, delving into a chaotic mess as ecstasy tore through my body. I pulled his forehead to mine, knotted my fingers in his hair. I watched him go to the edge as he swelled inside me. I watched as his eyes shed every barrier and stared into their clear green depths. I saw everything; his love, his need, his fear, his unapologetic animalistic urge.

I climaxed without warning, his name escaping my lips in a hoarse gasp.

My body went limp in his arms. I had enough presence of mind to be grateful he held me in a pretty tight embrace.

“You’re smiling,” he murmured on my lips.

“I should hope so.”

“Kiss me?”

I obliged, cherishing the softness of his mouth on mine. “You okay, chief?” I asked, tracing my thumb along his jaw.

He nodded, lowering my legs to the floor. They were useless at the moment, barely stronger than elastic.

“You look a bit wobbly at the knees, love,” he grinned, scooping me up. I squealed in delight as he carried me to the bed. I cuddled up closely to him on the mattress, inhaling his scent. Careful not to hurt him, I lightly touched the bruise on his ribs.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

“Don’t be. You’re worth it, Lia.”

“He’s not,” I said bitterly. “I hate that you’re hurt because of him.”

“Hush,” he whispered, stroking my hair. “I don’t want to talk about that right now. I want to feel you. Hold you. Alright?”

I sighed. “Of course. I want that, too.”

We entwined our arms and legs together, holding one another close. His rapid heartbeat slowed to a more normal pace the longer we stayed in this embrace. I couldn’t love him any more than I did at this moment.

“Lia?”

“Hmm?”

“Will you fly home with me this weekend?”

I kissed his chest. “I want to.”

“Come with me. We’ll fly back here in a few weeks to take care of the flat and whatever else you have to do.”

Shaking my head, I smiled. “So you want me to just quit my job and run away with you?”

“Yes.”

“Well, when you put it like that, how can I say no?”

“I’m serious, Amelia,” he said, tilting my chin up. “I want you with me. The sooner, the better.”

“I know, I know. I told you I’d come with you but I can’t just up and leave.”

“Why not?”

“I have responsibilities, Holden. I’d like to give my notice at work so I don’t burn any bridges.”

He regarded me with interest. I could see the cogs turning in his head. “One week. How’s that? You’ll fly out in one week.”

“Patience isn’t your strong point, is it?”

“Not when I want something,” he smirked.

“You know the saying ‘good things come to those who wait,’ right?”

“Never was a big fan of it.”

I laughed loudly, ruffling his hair. “You’ve waited this long for me. I don’t think another week will kill you.”

“Fair enough. But I have one more request.”

“Jesus,” I muttered. “What now?”

“Marry me.”

The echo of his words floated through my bedroom. My vision went fuzzy. I just stared at him, not believing what I’d heard. He watched me, his expression growing increasingly amused by the second.

“I…are you…”

He kissed me so lovingly and gently that I turned into a useless pile of almond scented goo.

“Marry me, Lia.”

I traced my thumb over his bruised eye and lip. “You know I can’t ever say ‘no’ to you, Holden.”

His brilliant smile lit up the bedroom, erasing any and all traces of the night’s tension. “I know, Meyers, but that’s not exactly a ‘yes’.”

Ruffling his hair again, I laughed. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” Dizzying joy filled every part of me. I’d never felt so happy or so hopeful.

“My angel,” he whispered, wrapping himself around me like a vine. I nestled into the softness and warmth of his embrace and closed my eyes.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Staying home from work was one of the best decisions I’d made all week. Well, aside from saying yes to Alastair’s impromptu marriage proposal. He’d gone back to the hotel to gather some clothes and finish up a few things at work. His spirits were much higher than they’d been in awhile. I’d even heard him whistling in the shower.

Since I was home, I decided to call my mother and lower the boom about moving to Scotland.

“Amelia Grace, I thought you’d fallen off the planet,” she exclaimed in her chirpy voice.

“Nope. Just been doing the usual. Did you and Dad enjoy the rest of your vacation?”

She sighed. “I don’t know how you people can stand living in that constant heat. Miami was an oven. Your father loved it though. He’s looking into buying a small condo on the beach so we can spend the winters there. I’m assuming it’s not as hot in January.”

“I thought you guys liked winter. You’re always sending me pictures of the snow in the backyard.”

“We’re too old to shovel it anymore. At least that’s what your father says. I told him to hire someone but he doesn’t want to.”

“Well, Miami is the place to be then.”

“Yes, dear,” she laughed. “We’ll also be close enough to bother you on the weekends.”

Here we go
.

“Uh, about that. I have to talk to you about something.”

“Is everything okay?” Her tone sharpened.

“Everything’s fine, stop panicking. Listen, Alastair and I have been talking—”

“Your father can’t stop going on and on about him,” she interrupted. “He thinks he’s so intelligent and nice. I just wish he wasn’t so shy.”

“Oh my God, Ma,” I said loudly. “He’s not shy. He’s just a little guarded, that’s all.”

“You have a big personality, Lia. He needs to be able to keep up with you.”

I grew more exasperated by the second. “What are you talking about? He keeps up with me just fine.”

“It must be because he’s British. They’re so reserved, you know.”

“Mom, I have no idea what you’re babbling about,” I laughed incredulously. “Andrew is English, too. Remember? He’s louder than all of us put together.”

“I suppose. So what is it you wanted to tell me?”

“He asked me to move in with him and I said yes.”

Silence dominated for about a minute.

“Is he buying a house in Orlando?”

“Nope.”

More silence. I’d be willing to bet she was twisting the phone cord around her fingers. “So both my daughters will be living in the United Kingdom,” she stated.

“Looks like it.”

I knew, without question, she was nodding her head slowly and having an internal dialogue with herself.

“When are you leaving?”

“I’m not sure yet. Probably in couple weeks.”

“Tell him you both need to come up here first. Your father will want to see you and so will I.”

“Okay,” I grinned.

“I’m happy for you, Lia. I know this year has been rough since everything ended with Nathan. I’m glad you found someone special who adores you.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I heard her sniffling a little. “Listen, I should get going. I’ll call you guys next week.”

After we said our goodbyes I decided to go for a run. I sent Alastair a quick text letting him know I’d be at Cranes Roost Park for about an hour.

9:22am Enjoy your run, love. Let me know when you’re back at the flat. x

I flirted with the idea of asking him why he wasn’t sending Paxton to keep an eye on me as I drove to Altamonte Springs. I figured after what happened last night, he’d want to make sure Nathan didn’t try anything. Then again, I didn’t really know what happened. He hadn’t told me yet so I just had to assume they’d fought and Nathan was now simmering with anger somewhere.

The park was empty except for a few women walking on the path, pushing their children in strollers. I turned up my music and ran along the edge of the lake. Running always managed to clear my head of everything and keep me more in tuned with myself.

I’d just rounded the bend when Nathan stepped in front of me, blocking my path. I skidded to a halt, startled.

“Your routines are too predictable, Lia.”

His right eye was swollen and purple. I also noticed a yellowish bruise on his jaw. He crossed his arms and smirked.

“Your boyfriend likes to throw punches when nobody’s looking.”

“So do you,” I glowered.