38

The room was thick with anticipation. Every movement felt like a challenge, each breath a reminder of the emotional whirlwind that churned within me. His presence was overwhelming, and though the tension between us was undeniable, it wasn’t just about physical proximity; it was something deeper.

I could feel his gaze on me, an unspoken force pressing against my skin, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes. My heart raced, not from fear but from a mix of longing and frustration. The air between us crackled with unspoken words, each moment heavier than the last.

I wanted to push away, to resist, but there was something in me that couldn’t. A pull I couldn’t explain, something deeper than I cared to admit. The storm inside me intensified with every glance, every move, making it harder to breathe.

“You don’t have to,” he said softly, his voice like a quiet command, and yet there was gentleness beneath it. But it wasn’t enough to soothe the chaos within me. The conflict was raging inside me, torn between what I wanted and what I feared.

I didn’t want to surrender to this tension. I wanted control. I needed control. But the more I resisted, the stronger it became. The weight of the moment, of the choices I was being forced to make, seemed unbearable.

Still, his presence was a constant reminder of everything I was trying to suppress. His every movement, his every word, seemed to make the tension grow, pulling me in deeper, unraveling the walls I had so carefully built around myself.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him close as he pulled me in tighter. The warmth of his embrace grounded me, but his next words caught me off guard.

“I need to say something, baby,” he said softly, his voice steady yet thick with emotion. I pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, finding it filled with more feeling than I had ever seen before. His green eyes sparkled, and I felt my heart rate quicken.

“I can’t imagine a life without you in it. I love you, Jennifer .”

My heart ached, as if it had split and then pieced itself back together in the most beautiful way possible. I blinked back the sudden rush of emotions.

“I love you too, Vincent ,” I replied, my voice steady but full of sincerity. The words felt right, felt like they were everything I had been needing to say.

He leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my lips. It was gentle, almost reverent, and as we pulled apart, I felt the world shift around us, the room feeling distant, like nothing else mattered.

“You’re mine, Jennifer . Not just for a moment or a season, but forever.”

I carefully cradled Jennifer in my arms, lifting her gently and carrying her into the bathroom. Despite the intensity of our time together, I knew it was exactly what she needed. She might have been rebellious, but that didn’t change how deeply I cared for her, or how much I loved her.

In fact, it made my feelings for her even stronger.

She was incredibly important to me, and that meant I would always be here to love her, support her, and give her what she needed, no matter the circumstance.

The trust she had in me to allow me to be what she needed made my heart swell. I loved her more than words could express, and I didn’t care what anyone else thought about it. We were each other’s, and I would protect her with everything I had.

She was mine, and I would cherish her forever.

Her body felt warm and soft against mine as I held her, and I could feel her beginning to relax in my embrace, her breath warm against my neck. Every step I took toward the bathroom felt like we were growing closer, and I hoped she felt the same way.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” I said gently, lowering her onto her feet as we reached the bathroom. I kept a steady hold on her, ensuring she felt safe as I adjusted the water temperature for the bath. The steam began to fill the room as the water warmed just right. I looked over at her, her eyes wide with trust, and gave her a reassuring smile.

“Step in,” I instructed softly. She hesitated, but took my hand as I helped her into the tub.

I grabbed a washcloth and soap, kneeling beside her, my touch gentle as I began to clean her. I started with her shoulders, my fingers working down her arms, then moved to her back, massaging away the tension in her muscles with each soothing stroke. She let out a quiet sigh, her eyes closing in relief as she leaned into my touch.

“You’re safe here with me,” I whispered, brushing a kiss against her forehead. “I’ll always take care of you.”

As I continued to wash her, I made sure every movement was filled with affection, showing her how cherished she was. No matter what we’d been through, I wanted her to feel protected and cared for.

Once I finished, I rinsed her off gently and helped her out of the tub, wrapping her in a soft towel. I dried her slowly, taking care with every touch, ensuring she knew how much I cared for her. Afterward, I lifted her into my arms and carried her back to the bedroom.

She settled against me, her body relaxing in my embrace as I laid her down on the bed, pulling the covers over her.

I joined her, holding her close, my heart full as she rested her head on my chest. She traced small patterns on my skin, her fingers soft and slow.

“Thank you, Vincent ,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

“You don’t have to thank me,” I replied, kissing her hair. “I’ll always be here for you.”

And I meant every word.