Part 16 (2/2)
I nod, swallow hard. ”I had some tests done right before we left. My mom got the results.”
His hand stops moving. ”You're not sick, are you?”
I shake my head.
”You're not going to die on me?”
”Why do you care?”
”I'm sorry. Do you want me to go?”
”No.” I sit up and stare at the lake, try to get a grip. ”I can't have kids.” Saying it out loud, to this velvet boy, makes it real, seals my fate. I break apart, can't stop it-even with Derek watching.
”Come here.” He puts both arms around me, tucks my face to his shoulder, and holds me. The sobs win.
He whispers soothing stuff, hums a tune I've never heard, and rocks me back and forth. Never once does he say, ”It's okay.” You could love a guy like that. Easy.
I finally get control. His shoulder is wet under my face. I raise up a little. ”c.r.a.p. I made a mess of your s.h.i.+rt.”
”I have four more just like it.”
”Your pasta will be cold.”
”I like cold pasta.”
I manage a smile. My lower lip shakes. ”I'm sorry.” I smooth the wet spot on his chest.
He presses my head back down. ”I'm not.”
”I must look awful.”
”I'm not looking.”
”I guess you can let me go now.”
”Do I have to?”
”No.” My throat aches like the tears are going to start again. ”If you don't mind, it helps.”
”Good.” His lips brush my forehead.
”Derek?”
Now he's kissing my temple.
”I don't really know you.” Is he taking advantage of me or does he know this is exactly what I need?
His mouth drifts across my face. ”Sure you do.”
I close my eyes-can't breathe.
His mouth finds mine. He kisses me, soft and tender, whispers, ”Does this help, too?” And kisses me again. ”I've been dreaming about this for weeks-since we chatted.” His lips caress and soothe as much as his hands did. ”You've got me in some kind of spell. Am I rus.h.i.+ng you?”
”I think-” My eyes drift open. ”I want to be rushed.”
That brings his kiss back. My lips move against its soft touch.
”You're beautiful, Beth,” he breathes into my ear.
”Don't say that. Not today. If you knew the real me-inside.”
He takes my face in both of his hands. ”What-you're an ax murderer?”
That distracts me into half of a smile. ”How'd you guess?”
”I knew it.” He bites my lower lip and tugs on it. ”I love dangerous women.”
His kissing gets faster, more intense.
I pull back.
”Rus.h.i.+ng?” He touches my face, kisses me slow and soothing again. ”Are you feeling any better?”
I put my hand over his and whisper, ”Don't stop. It's amazing therapy.”
”For me, too.”
<script>