51. Scars And All
Scars And All
Dani
I take a deep breath and hit Luke’s name. The door buzzes and I walk in, cross the lobby, and wait for the elevator. He had called me last night and asked if I would come over after work today. I don’t know why I agreed. Seeing him in court two days ago was too much for my heart to handle. The elevator doors open, and I step in. I send up a little prayer that the thing doesn’t stop and hit the button for his floor.
The door is ajar when I exit the elevator. "Archer?" The apartment is quiet, all the lights are off said for one lamp that’s throwing a soft glow across the living room. I step inside, closing the door behind me.
"Archer?" I call again.
He comes out of his room and my hearts jumps in my chest.
"Sit. Please." Luke walks over and sits on the chair that’s facing the couch, placing a guitar on his knee. "Gabe, you there?"
"I’m here," Gabe’s voice comes through the Bluetooth speakers.
"Uh, what’s going on?" I ask.
"Sit back and enjoy, Dani girl." Gabe informs me. "This is all for you."
Luke glances at me. "I haven’t played for someone in fifteen years," he strums a few cords and exhales, looking away. "I know this is your comfort song, you hum it when you’re nervous, or terrified or furious or happy."
"You noticed that?" I breathe, a little embarrassed.
He nods. "I did. I always thought it was cute." He strums another few cords. "I spent two days learning it," he meets my eyes. "I hope I do it justice."
Luke begins to play, and the tears come. His voice is beautiful. It’s deep and soulful, making me shiver and goosebumps to break out along my arms. The way it flows through the song, hitting notes I didn’t think his deep voice could hit. I wipe my cheeks. No one has ever taken the time to learn something just for me.
When Gabe joins in on the chorus, I’m floored. Their voices together create the sweetest melody. I mouth the words, not daring to sing along. His eyes never leave mine as he puts his heart into words written by someone else but feel like they were written for me.
To Be With You by Mr. Big has always felt like it was meant for me. It was playing on the radio the first time I went to therapy after the whole Josh situation. I took it as a sign that one day I will find a man that would want and love me for who I am. Scars and all.
When the song finishes, Luke places his guitar on the coffee table.
"Thanks, Gabe." Luke says.
"Anytime, Luke." The speakers click when Gabe hangs up.
We stare at each other for a beat before he breaks the silence. "I’m in love with you."
"W—what?" I stammer, my heart in my throat.
"I’m in love with you. I have been in love with you since you walked through my office door." Luke drops to his knees in front of me.
I blink quickly. "I-I-I-"
He takes my face in his hands. "You are loving and caring, intelligent, and strong and so Goddamn beautiful. Inside and out."
I snort. "I have a mirror, Archer; I know what I look like, and beautiful is not it." I sigh, hanging my head. "I have scars inside and out."
He lifts my face, so I am looking him in the eye. "I need you to hear what I’m about to say."
I nod.
"I love you. All of you. Your smile, your laugh, your imperfections, your temper, your sass, your snoring, your love of the word fuck," he winks, and I huff out a laugh. "I love you, all of you."
A tear slides down my cheek and he wipes it away with his thumb.
"I’m not perfect."
"You’re perfect to me." Luke kisses my forehead.
I move back to look at him. "What you did at the hospital with Mason and the IV," I close my eyes. "You hurt me, Luke. Badly. You broke my heart." I take a deep breath. "It took me months to get over what you did."
He brushes the scar on my cheek with his thumb. "I will never forgive myself for what I did." He admits.
"After talking with Erin at length about what happened, I forgive you for what you did. I now understand that you were trying to give me a break and to show me that you could be trusted with Mason. I'm never going to forget what you did, but I forgive you." I glance at my hands. "I’m in love with you, too." I finally say aloud.
"Those are the best words to ever come out of your mouth." He says and I bark out a laugh.
"Better than 'anything else, Mr. Archer.'"
"Okay, maybe the second-best thing." He smirks and I smack his chest.
"Smartass." I squeal as Luke scoops me into his arms and brings me into the bedroom, laying me down on my bed.
"I love you, Dani," he says as he kisses me. "I should’ve told you sooner." He undresses me slowly. "You don’t know how much I’ve missed you." He says against the skin of my neck.
My hands fist his shirt, and he sits back, allowing me to undress him.
"Why didn't you come get me when Mason needed me?" I question after a moment.
"I should have."
"Then why did you?"
He takes my face in his large hands again. "I thought Mason was just being difficult. I had no idea he was scared of needles and the nurses never told me. I didn't want to bother you with something that should've been simple. I wanted to show you I can be someone you could trust when it came to Mason."
"Really?" I ask.
"Truly."
I push him on his back and kiss him. No man has ever said anything like that to me before. I reach between us and stroke him gently.
"I love you, Luke."
I lift myself up, sinking down slowly. We groan as our bodies come together. Wrapping an arm around my back, Luke sits up, sinking deeper into me.
"Luke," his name comes out on a moan.
I wrap my arms around his shoulders and start to rock my hips. Luke grips my hips as his mouth crashes down on mine as we move faster. My head falls back on my shoulders as I get closer to release.
Luke kisses my neck and starts rolling my nipple between his fingers. "Look at me, Sweetheart."
I lift my head and meet his eyes.
"I love you," he says, and I fall apart, bringing him with me.
We stay there, holding onto each other as we catch our breath. Luke peppers my face with kisses as he lays us down. Neither one of us saying anything as we lay tangled in each others’ arms. He tightens his grip around my waist and holds me close.
Luke kisses my hair. "I’m never letting you go."