I leaned against the door and watched as Crystal rubbed the back of her neck. I pushed off and walked up behind her. Putting my hands on her shoulders, I kneaded the knots in her muscles.
She groaned as I massaged her. My fingers brushed over the circular mark on her neck, a reminder of what had pushed her to run away to protect the people she loved. There was an ache that spread through me when I thought of the pain that I had endured while searching for her.
I let out a deep breath, trying to get rid of those feelings. There was no space for them. It was over, even if it was just for now. I closed my eyes as I enjoyed the feel of her soft skin beneath my hands.
"That feels so good," she murmured, enjoying the sensation.
"Having you here with me feels like heaven," I said softly, leaning close to take a deep breath of her hair.
She turned, and I dropped my hands to my sides. She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with green brilliance.
I lifted a hand and caressed her unbruised cheek. My thumb swept over her bottom lip.
"I'm sorry," she said, and I knew why. Her hand touched mine. "I feel like I've betrayed you again and again."
She had.
"Understanding why helps but it doesn't completely take away the memories of wondering where you were and if you were alive," I admitted truthfully. I could have lied to make her feel better but I wanted to be honest with her. Her touch reminded me that she was here with me now and it comforted me.
"I want so badly to keep you hidden and safe from the outside world." I gripped her shoulders slightly, wrestling with the need to keep her locked away.
"You can't," she whispered. "I don't want to hide. I want to be able to live a life with you without looking over my shoulder or worrying whether I'll need to leave at a minute's notice."
"I know," I relented. "I don't know what I'll do if something happens to you. I've nearly lost you more times than I can count."
"We have to trust that our destiny will keep us together, in this life," she said. Her eyes showed her love for me.
"Yes, there has to be trust."
She looked down for a moment, and I felt guilty for making her feel that way.
"Guilt is a wasted emotion," I told her, lifting her chin with a finger. Her eyes met mine. "We have to trust Harrison will notify us if there is anything to worry about. Until then, we put this behind us."
She nodded, her eyes glistening with tears.
"From this moment, our life together begins." She gave me a smile that lifted my heart. "I can't wait to fall asleep next to you every night and wake up in the morning with you beside me."
All the little things that most would have taken for granted we would treasure. It would make our connection stronger and more intense. We would know how lucky we were to be together and to share our lives with each other.
"I want that." I would give her everything I could.
I kissed her, needing the intimate touch. Her lips were so soft beneath mine. My arms closed around her, keeping her close as her mouth moved against mine.
Mine.I remembered that feeling of possession the first time I touched her. She belonged to me and I belonged to her.
For a few minutes we stood holding each other.
"I never thought that this life would be possible," she said, and I felt the heaviness of her words. "It's always been about hiding who I was and worrying about being discovered. I'm not sure if I can do this."
"Do what?" I asked, cocking my head to the side as I frowned.
"Normal and happy."
"That's okay. I know how to do this," I assured her with a wink. "I'll show you how it's done."
She smiled at my teasing tone. Then she tried to suppress a yawn. We were both tired. I could feel the ache in my muscles.
"Come on, you're tired. It's time to get some rest," I said. I wanted to take care of her, protect and love her.
