Chapter 27 #2
“Latch on to the part of the argument that’s got the least value.
Deflection, that’s what it is. Well, it won’t work on me.
” She shoves me in the chest, then reaches out a hand and snatches up the family bag of cheese and onion crisps she’s made a sizable dent into.
Shoving a handful into her mouth, she chews, all the while sending daggers in my direction.
When she swallows, she jabs a finger at me.
“I’m going to breathe all over you tonight.
You’ll get no sleep because of my cheese and onion breath. ”
Fuck. I do love her. I’m so blindly in love with her. Even this side of her that I’ve never seen before. She must’ve had her period at times we were apart, and now I’m sorry I’ve missed this chaotic, slightly unhinged version of the woman I love.
My lips fail to contain the smile that threatens to split my face in two. Grace palms my shoulder so hard, I almost lose my balance.
“It’s not funny, Christian. Men would never survive periods, or childbirth, or bikini waxing, or menopause, or any of the other bloody horrible things that happen to women.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
She narrows her eyes. “Stop being so reasonable. God!”
“You want me to start an argument?”
“Yes. I want to be able to legitimately yell at you and not feel bad because you’re being all lovely and nice and trying to jolly me out of it, when all I want to do is punch you in the face and twist your balls until you pass out.”
“That sounds… not fun.” I press my palms to her cheeks and plant a hard kiss on her mouth. “Tell you what. I give you free rein to yell and curse and scream at me, and even punch me if it’ll make you feel better, but can we negotiate a stay of execution for the crown jewels?”
“You are entirely too reasonable and impossible to be horrible to.”
My smile’s crooked as I hitch a shoulder. “And you are fucking adorable.” And I love you.
For some reason, I keep the latter part to myself. I’m not sure she’s ready to hear it, and I’m worried I might scare her off, especially as her emotions are heightened, understandably, and she’s in pain.
“Have you taken anything for the cramps?”
“No.” She half smiles. “I’m a hero.”
“Or a stubborn arse.” I get to my feet.
She snaps out a hand, grabbing me around the wrist. “Where are you going?”
“To run you a bath and get you some pain relief. Eat your snacks.” I unpeel her fingers and bring them to my lips, kissing the tips of each one.
She sighs and closes her eyes. “I don’t deserve kindness.”
It’s an odd thing for her to say, but I put it down to her discomfort.
I brush my lips over her forehead, then leave her lying there and run the bath, adding plenty of bubbles and bath salts.
Once it’s ready, I return to get Grace. She doesn’t argue when I scoop her up into my arms and carry her into the bathroom.
I sit her on the edge of the bath, pour a glass of water, and tip two painkillers into her hand.
“What are these?”
“Paracetamol. Strong stuff. Not the weak as shit, over-the-counter kind. They’ll help with the cramps.”
She knocks them back and hands me the glass. I set it down, then strip out of my clothes and peel the dressing gown off her, hanging it on a hook on the back of the door. Taking her hand, I help her into the bath, then climb in behind her.
The contented sigh that spills out of her makes me feel like a fucking hero in my own story. She reaches behind herself and cups the back of my neck.
“Thank you, Christian. I don’t deserve you.”
First “I don’t deserve kindness,” and now “I don’t deserve you.” She deserves better than me, but as I don’t intend to ever let her go, I guess I’ll have to make my peace with that.
“The tablets will kick in soon.”
She murmurs something I don’t catch.
I gently rest one hand on her stomach and rub in clockwise circles. “I missed you these last few days.”
“And look at the reward you got when you came home.” She gives a small laugh.
“I’m your husband. It’s my job to be whatever you need.”
“Don’t be nice to me. Please. I’m begging you.”
I frown. “Why not?”
“Just… just don’t. I’m a terrible person.”
“I know terrible people, and trust me, you are the complete opposite of them. You’re everything that’s good in the world, Grace, and you’re mine.”
Her entire body stiffens. “There’s so much you don’t know.”
She said the same thing before I left on my trip.
Whatever secrets she’s hiding, they can’t be worse than the ones I carry around with me.
I’m damn sure Grace’s actions didn’t result in the deaths of two people, whether intended or not.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to confess everything, to have someone outside of my direct family know what I did and tell me I don’t have blood on my hands, even though I know I do.
Yet something stops me, and that something is the choking fear that Grace will see the truth of who I am, and it will disgust her.
“None of us are perfect,” I say quietly.
“No, I suppose we’re not.”
We fall into silence, both of us caught up in our thoughts. The bath water cools, and we get out. I swaddle her in the robe again and tie it loosely around her middle.
“Still got the pain?”
“A little. It’s much better, though.”
“Want me to get you something real to eat?”
Her lips quirk up on one side. “Pork pies, crisps, and mini sausage rolls aren’t real?”
“Replace real with nutritious. There’s no nutrients in crisps and pork pies.”
“I’m good. I do need a little private time, though.” She motions for me to leave.
“Whatever you need, I’m here to help. What is it?”
“I have to change my tampon. I’m pretty sure you don’t want to get involved in that.”
I wink. “Oh, I don’t know.”
She shoves at me. “Well, you’re not. Now, go.”
Grinning, I draw her close to me and kiss her forehead. “I’ll warm your side of the bed.”
She rolls her eyes, but I catch her smile as I shut the door behind me.