23. Eliza #3
Another set of sharp stings bit my ass cheeks, and another yelp jolted out of my body in response.
I snapped at Adam through my tears. "There's nothing about me to love, though!
I am nothing but a fucking liar! A coward!
A bag of useless nothing!" Gripping at his thigh, I chewed at my bottom lip, muffling my pained moans when he spanked me again a few times.
"I'm useless. I can't do anything with my life because I'm on the fucking run from my stupid ex.
I live in constant paranoia, afraid that the next time I blink, then he'll be right there in front of me. "
Once I started, I couldn't stop. All the words spilled from my mouth like the tears from my eyes.
"I'm just a useless college dropout with dead dreams and aspirations.
I'm not even myself after ten fucking years with James.
Ten years of constant pain and suffering, all because I was too fucking stupid to see and admit the truth.
" Talking became impossible with how my voice kept cracking and hitching with my sobs.
The pressure against the back of my head eased in an instant when he released my hair.
A quick spin of the room, I found myself seated in Adam's lap, nestled tightly against him in his arms. "Oh, mia rosa , no, no, no," he shushed me soothingly, running his fingers through my long locks.
"You are so much more than you think," he said while rocking me softly.
"You may see yourself as some failure, but I don't. Nor would anyone else if they were to find out.
" He paused for a second to take in a deep breath and press a kiss against my temple.
"You are everything to me. I don't see some broken person whenever I look at you.
All I ever see is my wonderful woman, who is going to be my wife one day.
My wonderful wife-to-be, who is the best and most amazing mother ever.
My Eliza darling, who is too stubborn and independent for her own good, but those are qualities I fucking love about you. "
His body trembled with his chuckle before a warmth of peace blanketed us for a moment.
"I only see my little rose blooming every day.
" A finger curled under my chin, lifting my face to a pair of loving lips.
"Little by little, you blossom better and better.
You might have been lost before, but now you have direction.
" He dazes me with another kiss before continuing, "You have me now, and I want nothing but the best for you and our family. "
A minute of solace embraced us as we became lost in each other's never-ending wonder and adoration.
"You went through Hell, but you pulled yourself out.
Not everyone can do that, so you have to praise yourself there," he told me with a proud smile while brushing my hair out of my face.
"You work your ass off for Asher, and that's another thing to be proud of right there.
" His smile grew with his words as his fingers stroked my cheek and jawline.
"You are a wonderful woman, Eliza, and I am going to make you see it by making you love yourself as much as you love me. "
I couldn't help but giggle and roll my eyes in response to his cockiness. On most men, it was annoying, but Adam had a charming way about his arrogance that made it work in his favor.
Adam's face lit up with a victorious grin at my little sound.
"There's my Eliza darling." He quickly stole my breath away with a quick kiss before speaking again in a very warm and affectionate voice, "I will be the sunlight to warm you back up, the water to nourish you, the fresh and healthy soil you need for a new life, and I'll be the keeper that protects you and preserves your unique beauty for all of eternity. "
Unable to help myself again, I rolled my eyes at him. "You and your roses," I teased with a chuckle. "But thank you." I didn't know what else to say in the situation.
Smiling gratefully in return, Adam shook his head. "No, don't thank me when it's supposed to be me kissing your feet for allowing me into your life." The awe and joy in his eyes made me melt with a wide smile. "Never thank me for giving you the bare minimum and what you deserve."
Chuckling softly, I let myself relax against him.
"Well, it's not like you gave me much of a choice with how you barged into my life and basically set up camp," I remarked, looking up at me with a playful smirk.
"But as flustered as it made me… I needed it.
" Otherwise, we wouldn't be here right now.
"Hey, I couldn't let you slip away from me, so I needed to encroach on you a bit.
" He grinned smugly with a cheeky chuckle.
"But, I know, that's why I'm a little firmer with you compared to others in my past. You need the guidance, the firm hand, and you thrive off of it.
" The pad of his thumb arched across my cheekbone slowly.
"But, back to the point of everything. You are worth everything, and you will see the greatness that is you and accept it. "
Resting his forehead against mine, he smiled against my lips.
"I will be there to drag you through it all until you do.
When you are down, I will pick you up and carry you through until you can walk on your two feet again.
Even then, I will be right next to you or behind you to guide you and protect you.
" A sweet kiss graces my lips, melting my whole heart and being into Adam.
I fucking loved how true his smile was as he beamed at me.
"You are an amazing woman, Eliza, and I am so proud to call you as mine.
" Kissing me deeply for a long moment, he softly attacked my lips until they ached and swelled up.
"I will always love you, no matter what.
Even when you can't find it within yourself to appreciate yourself, I will do it for you because I am wholly devoted to you. "
Swallowing the reluctance, I fisted the front of his shirt before kissing him with trembling lips. "I can't handle being broken again, so please, don't smash whatever is left of me," I whispered in a broken voice, letting my stray tears run down my cheeks.
Taking my face into his hands, he wipes the tears away with his thumbs before planting a promising kiss firmly against my lips. "Never. I will never hurt you. I'd rather take a thousand bullets to my body before putting a scratch on you."
God, I love this man. I truly, with my whole heart and soul, love Adam.
Never has such a thought and feeling felt so right. Such raw devotion and adoration that felt so natural, like breathing, had always been so foreign to me—a mere dream.
What I felt for James, what I thought was love, paled in comparison to the fire and passion I felt for Adam. James was stupid puppy love if it could even be categorized as love. Hell, it was nothing but a mere crush compared to Adam.
Everything I felt with Adam was the real thing: the blissful happiness that filled endless pages of romance novels, the soul-snatching feeling that so many people swore by, and that 'the one' feeling that devoted people always spoke about.
Adam was it for me.
He is my one.