She picks up her head and settles her chin over my chest atop the backs of her hands, a playful grin on those lips. “That kind of undid my shower.”
A chuckle leaves my mouth and my hands stroke up and down her spine, delighting in the goosebumps that cover her flesh from the movement. “But totally worth it, right?”
“Meh.” She shrugs, that grin pulling wider.
“Meh?” I narrow my stare in mock irritation. “I know you came hard. I felt that pussy squeeze my dick.”
Her eyes darken at my words and when she speaks it comes out all husky. “You have such a dirty mouth, Trent Donavan. I like it.”
“I love your mouth too, sexy Lexi.” I flex my abs to sit up with our bodies connected. “Let’s try this shower thing again. I really do have somewhere to show you.” I stand and she squeals, grabbing my shoulders tightly as I walk us to the bathroom.
“Can’t wait,” she says. Her eyes hold my stare and I kiss her to return the sentiment. I really can’t wait for what the future holds, as long as I have this woman in my arms.
“Trent. This place is amazing.”
I glance across the table for two, my smile as big as hers as she takes in the view. This little rooftop sushi bar provides us with privacy and romance. The city lights play like a choreographed dance on one side and the waves roll in and out with a melodic crash at the other. It’s a soundtrack to the hustle and bustle of the ocean city, and the low hum of some indie rock station pipes through the restaurant speakers.
“It’s awesome, isn’t it. When you told me you liked sushi I knew I had to bring you here.”
“When did we talk about food?”
“Over pancakes in Charlotte.”
“Oh.” She glances down at the table, and reaches out to grip her glass of pinot noir. “That was before we were together.”
“I’ve wanted you since then, but I didn’t think I deserved you. No, that’s not true. I didn’t deserve you, but I’m trying to correct that. You’re too good for me, Lexi Marx, but I love you anyway.”
“I love you, too.” She finishes her second glass of wine, and I refill both our glasses. Our server is perched at the bar and leaving us alone now that we demolished our meal and the dinner crowd has thinned out. I’m sure they’re closing soon, but they recognize who I am, maybe Lexi too, and they’ll stay open for as long as we like.
“This was exactly what I needed.” A deep sigh leaves her lips and her gaze meets mine. “Thank you for today. I’m sorry about my mom.”
“You don’t need to apologize for her. She was horrible to you.”
“She was, but she lost the love of her life. She’s lashing out. My mother always put him first, or tried to until he wouldn’t let her. I don’t know. My family’s pretty fucked up.”
The music stretches between us, a background to the weight that settles over this moment. My gaze never leaves Lexi as she studies the skyline, blinking several times before one tear escapes down her cheek.
She doesn’t look at me when she speaks. “I hate him. I hated him. So I don’t understand why it hurts so much.”
I reach across the table, taking her hand in my own. “It takes a lot of energy to hate someone like that, Lex.”
Her shoulders drop and she nods, meeting my stare. “It does. It’s weird, you know. I never expected anything. But knowing he was there ... I don’t even know ... Just now, knowing he’s not. It’s empty.”
She’s sharing openly tonight, and maybe it’s the wine talking, but I think back to my conversation with Iz and I have to know. “Did he rape you?”
She tries to tug back her hand but I don’t let her. “Who? What? You mean Eric?”
I lower my voice, even though no one is around to overhear us. “Not on the bus. When you were a kid. At your dad’s.”
She blinks, and her eyes widen. “How did you—?”
“Iz.”
“Fucking Iz.” She shakes her head, tilts her head to the sky and shuts her eyes against the night. Her face twists with pain and her next words escape as a whisper. “Does it even matter?”
My chair scrapes against the flooring as I scoot closer, claiming both of her hands in my grip until I regain her attention. “Don’t. Don’t push me away, okay? Of course it fucking matters. I never want anything or anyone to hurt you. I love you with everything I am. You’ve been hurt and I get that. I can’t change what happened to you before, but I care. It matters. I won’t ever let anyone hurt you again.”
“What about you, Trent? Because you can hurt me, worse than anyone ever before. You have the power to ruin me.”
