Eveline
By the time Renley eased up on the kiss, they were both gasping for air.
“Am I still in trouble?”
Renley vibrated with laughter. “Yes, kitten.” He sank to his knees in front of her and kissed her above her right knee.
“So, if I asked for a foot massage you would decline?”
“You just gave me the best blow job I’ve ever had and all you want in return is a foot massage?”
“Is that odd?”
“You could ask me to return the favour.”
“I could, but I don’t want to.”
He nodded and shifted his attention to her left knee. “Anything you want.”
Before he got started, he handed her his shirt and helped her into her pyjama shorts. “Why a foot massage?” he asked, dressing and sitting down with their wine.
“Helps circulate the blood better. I noticed it earlier.”
“Any particular way?”
She reached for her phone and showed Renley the video she’d used to learn herself. He watched it carefully, thumbs already kneading her calf.
“Do you have to do this regularly?”
“I should but…” She shrugged. “My physio usually does it, so I tend to ignore it. It took me a long time to even acknowledge my legs again, so touching them was a piece of work mentally.”
“Does it make you uncomfortable when I touch them?”
“It’s rather therapeutic to be honest. After the accident, I stopped loving all of me.
My acceptance of myself ended here.” She pointed at her hips.
“But the more mobility I regained and the little sensation I recovered, I could at least acknowledge them. Some days are still hard, but seeing you adore all of me has helped a lot.”
He kissed her knees again, his fingers still working into her muscles. “Would you be open to talking about your accident? I mean, was it work or…”
“It happened here actually. It was our first Christmas here, so we were all excited to decorate.” His eyes widened as he stared up at her.
She sighed, soothing him by running her fingers through his hair.
“Laira resented the house for quite some time. She didn’t begin to heal until well after Tod made it accessible and moved their bedroom upstairs.
She feels guilty, even though I’ve never blamed her and reassure her every chance I get. ”
“She’s your big sister, and if I’m guessing right, she sometimes wishes it was her instead.”
“We had a few therapy sessions together and they really helped her get through that. She was by my side the whole time.” She leaned down and kissed his nose. “She is really happy that I have you by my side now.”
Renley smiled and returned his attention to her feet. “She said she likes me pushing your boundaries like yesterday.”
“You won her over with that mindset.”
“You mean being insensitive?” he laughed.
“People are often too sensitive. You act like there’s nothing wrong with me at all.”
“There is nothing wrong with you.”
“Repeat that please.”
“You are perfect, Eveline.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she fought to hold herself together.
Only, she remembered that he was her safe haven, and she allowed the foundation to crack.
Tears crept down her cheeks, and she lost herself in his deep, chocolate eyes.
Never in a million years would she have expected to find love when she’d reached out to him.
“I love you,” she whispered, salt tinting her lips as the tears splashed to her lap. She had so much more to say, including that he didn’t have to say it back, but Renley silenced her by sweeping the tears away with his thumbs.
“I love you too. The moment I stepped into your office I knew you would rob me of my mind. I’m yours, Eveline.”
“You are everything,” she sobbed. “ My everything.”
Renley’s hands dropped to her hips and he stood, bringing her with him. His forehead against hers he held her, his own tears mixing with hers. He held her tight and slowly twirled, losing himself as much in her eyes as she was drowning in his.
“I never want you to stop pushing my boundaries.”
He chuckled, fingers digging into her ass.
“As long as you keep me by your side, I will make sure you never miss out on anything.” He laid on the bed, positioning her in her rightful spot: head on his chest, leg tossed over his.
They drifted off that way, Renley’s heartbeat in her ear serving as a gentle, steady lullaby.
She dozed off, only awaking when the sun warmed her face. Lifting her head, she found herself still on top of Renley who seemed wide awake.
“Hi gorgeous.”
“What time is it?”
“Ten or so?”
“It is?”
“Thought you might want to sleep in today.”
She laid back down, his chest wooshing under her ear with each inhale and exhale. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“We still have a few hours. I promise to request more days off next time.”
She pushed her hands under his shoulders trying to snuggle to him as close as she could. “You told me you love me.”
“I did.”
“You love me, Renley.”
“I do, kitten,” he purred, combing his fingers through her hair. “And you love me.”
“Very much so.”
They didn’t move until their stomachs began growling. Only then did they pull themselves from bed and got dressed for breakfast.
Or… lunch, as it was.
Tod was at work, so it was just Laira joining them, making a fresh pot of coffee before she had to leave to pick up the boys.
“I hope you come visit us more often, Renley.” Eveline couldn’t help but grin at her sister’s polite way of telling him she approved of them being together.
“I would love to. ‘Uncle Renley’ actually has a nice ring to it.”
Laira shook her head. “You know they’re only going to drive me crazy until you come back, right?”
“Don’t boost his ego too much,” Eveline scolded, earning herself a nudge from Renley.
When Laira left to fetch the boys, Renley and Eveline stole a few moments on the back porch. Only this time, he insisted that she sit in his lap. With her head on his shoulder and his fingers dancing over her legs, she soaked in the moment.
“I’m proud of you,” she whispered.
“Why is that, kitten?”
“You said you weren’t a grown-up a year ago, but I think you are. If no one has told you lately, I’m proud of you. I didn’t know you then, but from what I’ve heard, you took that goal to get your life together and blew it out of the water.”
“Thank you. I feel like I still have a ways to go, only now I understand that it’s okay to take the small steps as long as they keep moving you in the right direction.”
She had her hand under his shirt, drawing circles over his abs. “I still want to go to the gym with you.”
“We’ll work out a schedule when you get home. I’ve already looked up a few things you could try out. Just know there is no pressure for you to do it.”
“I kind of want to go just to cheer you on.”
“Lusting and drooling over me in the process, yeah?”
“Something like that,” she giggled.
Eveline, comfortable, stayed in her spot even after the boys got home. She sought out Renley’s presence, constantly needing to touch him or hold his hand throughout their last moments together. When he started to pack his things, she couldn’t hide her displeasure over him having to leave.
“You’ll be home and back in my arms in no time. Enjoy your time with the boys. I’m sure they’ll keep you on your toes.”
With both of his hands in hers, she tugged him closer. “I know. I just enjoyed having you around and I feel we took so many steps in our relationship over the last few days. It feels odd having you leave before me.”
“Next time we’ll plan something together. With a whole road trip,” he promised, kissing her hair.
“Be safe, okay? And take breaks when you need to.”
“I’ll message you the second I get home. Do you want me to stop by your place to check on the cats?”
“The sitter said they’re okay, but I’m sure they’ll love the extra cuddles.” She reached for her bag and separated her house key from the others. “Gives you an excuse to be there when I get back.”
“Like I would miss that for anything.” Renley laughed and added the key to his keychain.
She watched, eyes burning as Renley packed up, ruffled each boy’s hair, and pulled Laira in for a hug. “Thank you for having me and tell your husband goodbye.”
“Please come back soon.”
When he turned to her, she pulled him down and kissed him so deeply and tenderly that she hoped it told him how much she adored him.
“I’ll see you when you get home.”
“Give my babies some love from me.”
“Not sure if I can compare to you, but I’ll do my best.”
With one last kiss, he waved and walked to his truck. She watched with blurry vision as he sped down the driveway and disappeared onto the road.
Her sister surprised her with a kiss to her cheek. “That just goes to show he’s perfect for you.”