“I love you, Jake. I’ve never truly stopped loving you. You haven’t left my side. You tell me you want me—”
“Fuck,” I hiss, closing the distance between us.
I go down on my knees in front of her, reaching up to frame her face with my hands. “You love me…”
“You’ve always been it for me, Jake. I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to make it work this time.”
“Baby,” I breathe, leaning so that my forehead is against hers. I drink in her words, letting them simmer inside of me.
“I need you to help me. We’re all to blame here, Jake. Me, you, and Jeff. We’re all three to blame for the mess around us.”
I know she’s right. I understand what she’s getting at. She wants me to let go of the past and the rage that I have aimed at my brother. I would do anything for Katie.I would. This might prove impossible, though.
“I’m not sure I’m strong enough to give you this, Sunshine.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You’re the strongest man I know. You can do anything.”
“You sound so positive.”
“That’s because I am. You made me feel safe to admit I love you. You made me believe that together we can make this work. If I’m wrong and you don’t want me, Jake—”
“Katie, I love you. I’ve always loved you. That’s never been in question. I’m here because I’m not letting you go again. I keep telling you this.”
“Then tonight, let’s close out the outside world and just concentrate on me and you. Tomorrow, we can face your brother together—”
“Damn it, baby,” I groan, wanting to give her this but not sure I can.
“We can do it because I know that in your heart you want Lennon to be happy. You want him to look at his father whenhe’s older and learn that a good man puts his child’s happiness ahead of everything.”
“That’s not fair, Katie,” I respond with a sigh, closing my eyes. “You know I want to give you everything you ask for. It’s just—”
“Everything?”
“Always,” I admit with stark honesty.
“In that case, I have one more request.”
“God, you’re killing me, Katie.”
My gaze drops down to her hands, watching as she undoes the belt of her robe.
“I want you, Jake.”
My heart clinches in my chest. I never thought I’d hear those words from her again. I knew we were getting closer, but I won’t lie. Most of the time, I felt like I’d never break through Katie’s walls.
“I want you too, Sunshine,” I finally manage to say, bringing my lips to hers and kissing her gently. I place my hands over hers to stop her. If she reveals her body to me, I’m not sure I’ll be able to have the will not to take what she’s offering, and she’s not physically able to enjoy making love yet. I would end up causing her pain. That’s the last thing in the world I want. I pull back, licking my lips, and enjoying the sweet taste of her. “We can’t tonight. You still need to heal.”
“I know I’m not ready for everythingbut…”
“But?”
“It’s been a while, but I remember how much you used to love when I would—”
“I love everything you do, but honey, we got time. We can wait until we’re sure whatever we do together will be pleasurable for both of us.”
“That’s the thing, Jake. Pleasure is a mild word to use when it means you’re coming in my hand—”
“Fuck, baby,” I groan, thoughts of her hand wrapped around my cock make my balls instantly ache.