He turned at the touch of arms going around him from behind.
‘Baby,’ he whispered to the woman who now made his heart fly. ‘Let’s get to sleep.’
He wasn’t able to make love to her, but he could love on her.
Nothing gave him more pleasure.
He sighed as he settled back into bed next to her.
All that mattered was being here with Saba and allowing his body to heal.
Saba’s hand brushed a stray strand of hair from his face, her hand soft and warm against his own.
He ran his fingers over her flowing locks that held him captive in their tresses.
He stroked her skin, lost in wonder at how much better her affection was than wine and the fragrance of her oils than any spice.
He treasured the moment, watching her chest rise and fall as she breathed beside him.
It was all he needed.
For she was everything.
Mak had won in life.
Plain and simple.
It had been a battle over fourteen years, one waged on his heart, soul, and mental health.
But finally, he had the woman of his dreams by his side.
Over the next few weeks, he found that he was able to breathe more. Now that the invisible barrier between them had been shattered.
His spirit lifted each morning, knowing that his true love, his equal partner, the woman he had waited for all this time, was beside him, joined with him in purpose.
It had taken him a while to admit he had never quite hated Saba. What her uncle had done to her, her sisters, and him was not her fault.
The first time he saw her, he fought their wild attraction.
His walls had been up, and he’d refused to let himself feel any deeper due to all the betrayals and lies from her family.
Marrying her out of necessity, he’d resigned to never loving again, spooked and hesitant to trust any woman.
It wasn’t until the veil was lifted on her true heart that he discerned her for who she was.
Her warmth, laughter, and light started to break down those barriers.
Their journey towards love had been tumultuous, but her unwavering care for him solidified their relationship.
Now, waking up with Saba was a dream come true.
She was everything he ever wanted and more: kind, intelligent, understanding, and freakin’ beautiful.
Every evening when he returned home from work, she greeted him with open arms and whispered sweet nothings in his ear.
It didn’t matter how stressful or exhausting his day was; being met with her affection made it all fade away.
Even when he was recovering from his injury and wasn’t the easiest person to be around, Saba never hesitated to take care of him.
