Chapter 12
Genevieve leaned against Abe's good shoulder as they sat on the edge of his bed. The bruise on his other shoulder served as a stark reminder of Jason's ruthlessness.
"I can't believe he did this to you," she said, still somewhat in disbelief. "And it was because you defended me."
Abe tightened his arm around her, drawing her closer against his side. "He didn't do this because of you. He did it because he's deranged and thinks violence is an acceptable way to send a message."
His voice was calm, but she could feel the tension in his muscles, the controlled anger that simmered beneath the surface. "Once I called him out on his behavior, Jason had to assert his control."
"But he provoked it."
Abe looked at her without comment. It didn't matter who'd started it. The fact was that Jason intended to maintain the upper hand and had no sense of fairness. Genevieve remembered that about him from the earlier band days.
The warmth of Abe's body against hers, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the familiar scent of his cologne combined to create an overwhelming sense of connection. She'd come so close to losing him, to having Jason's violence take away the man who meant so much to her.
"When I saw you favoring that shoulder," she said, "and realized someone had hurt you because of me…"
Abe shifted slightly to look at her. "Honey…I'm right here. I'm okay."
The intensity in his gaze made her breath catch. She could see his desire, and such tenderness that it made her heart skip a beat. This strong, brave man had risked everything for her, had put himself between her and danger without a second thought.
"Abe…" she said, then reached up to touch his face. She traced the line of his jaw with her fingertips.
The moment stretched between them, charged with the emotions they'd been holding back, all the feelings that had been building since that first night when he'd protected her outside Jasper's.
Abe leaned down and she met him halfway. Her first kiss was tentative, testing the waters of this new intimacy. But when she felt him respond, and his lips moved against hers with gentle pressure, passion ignited between them.
The kiss deepened, filled with all the feelings that they'd been denying, and the love that had developed. Friendship had become something infinitely more precious.
When they breathlessly broke apart, Genevieve saw her own emotions reflected in his eyes. Desire and a promise of lasting love made her heart swell with joy.
Abe pressed his lips to her forehead. "I've wanted to do that for so long."
"So have I." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I've been fighting it, telling myself it was too complicated, too dangerous."
"And now?"
Genevieve looked up at him. He was giving her every opportunity to pull back and let him know that this wasn't what she wanted. When she looked into his eyes, the reasons she should back away evaporated.
"Now…I feel hopeful." She touched his jaw, and for a beat, Abe's eyes locked with hers. "You need ice for that shoulder," Genevieve said, forcing herself to focus on his injury despite the electricity still sparking between them. "And something for the pain."
Abe started to protest, but she was already moving toward his bathroom, returning with a bottle of ibuprofen and then continuing to the kitchen for an ice pack.
When she came back, she found him sitting on the bed exactly where she'd left him, watching her with an expression that made her pulse quicken.
"You don't have to take care of me," he said as she handed him the medication and a glass of water.
"Yes, I do." She sat beside him to carefully position the ice pack against his shoulder. "You got hurt because of me. The least I can do is make sure you heal properly."
Her ministrations were thorough. She made sure the ice was positioned correctly, then adjusted pillows behind his back for support.
Each touch became increasingly intimate as she moved around him. Her hands lingered on his skin, and her awareness of him as a man grew with every passing moment.
After twenty minutes with the ice, Abe moved his shoulder experimentally, rolling it in a careful circle. "Much better," he said, and she could see that the medication was taking effect. "It's really not that bad."
Relief flooded through her as she watched him move more freely. She'd been concerned that Jason's thug had done permanent damage, that her presence in Abe's life had cost him his career or his health.
"Are you sure?" she said, her hand resting on his thigh. "You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
Instead of answering with words, Abe turned toward her, then placed his warm palm against her cheek. "I'm sure about a lot of things right now," he said in a deep voice.
The simple touch sent heat racing through her. Looking into his eyes, she found him irresistible. Abe leaned down, and there was nothing tentative about his kiss.
When they separated, Genevieve felt dizzy with want. She pressed her hands against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "Abe…"
"I know we said we should wait," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "But…I'm not a saint."
"I don't want you to be," she said, unable to look away from his adoring gaze. "I love you, and I want to be with you."
For only a second, Abe hesitated, looking deeply into her eyes. The floodgates were about to open. She could tell that if she made a move, his restraint would dissolve. Her anticipation was deliciously unbearable.
"I love you, Abe. I love your strength…and your kindness. You make me feel cherished and valued, like no man has before."
Abe's pleasure was evident, transforming his features from merely handsome to beautiful. "I love you too," he said, "more than I dreamed was possible."
*****
Their undressing was slow and reverent. Each piece of clothing was removed with soft kisses and gentle caresses. Genevieve hovered on the brink of utter abandon.
In the daylight filtering through the bedroom windows, she marveled at Abe's muscular form and his smooth, dark skin, begging for her touch. His chest was broad and powerful, marked with a few scars that spoke of his bravery.
He gently explored her body with worshipful hands. He kissed the rose tattoo on her arm, then worked his way down, kissing each falling petal. The emotion evoked by the intimate tattoo changed. The lovely image expressed her soul-deep connection to Abe.
Genevieve ran her fingers over his close-shaved head, loving the feel of his skin, and the way he leaned into her touch.
When she traced the strong column of his neck and across his shoulders, she was careful to avoid the injured area.
But he caught her wrist. "It's okay. You won't hurt me."
"I don't want to cause you any more pain."
"You can't cause pain," he said. He skimmed his hands along her sides, making her shiver with pleasure. "Being with you like this is healing, not hurting."
When she looked into his eyes, she saw such tenderness there. This strong, brave man was treating her like something precious. He explored her body with his touch, his lips following the path his hands had traced.
With cheek against her skin, he said, "You're so beautiful, and so many times I imagined being with you like this."
"I was starting to think it would never happen." She arched beneath his touch. "It seemed that we'd continually be interrupted by danger or crisis."
"There is only us," Abe said. Before she could speak, he claimed her mouth in a kiss that left no doubt about his intentions.
Their lovemaking was passionate but tender, filled with whispered endearments and excited exploration. Abe moved with careful consideration for her pleasure, taking his time to fully convey his desire for her.
When she exhibited caution for his shoulder, Abe showed her with his body how much he wanted her. He was clear that nothing could keep him from this special interlude.
Genevieve felt as though she were discovering lovemaking for the first time.
With her ex-husbands, physical connection had felt like performance, like she was playing a role rather than expressing genuine feeling.
But with Abe, every touch was authentic, and every kiss was real.
Each moment of intimacy deepened their emotional bond.
In a world of her own, Genevieve gave herself to Abe completely. Passion exploded into a fiery need that couldn't be satisfied. Gentleness vanished, as she couldn't get close enough, couldn't give or receive enough earth-shattering pleasure.
When they finally came together completely, Genevieve spiraled into an explosion of shared ecstasy. She was one with the man she loved.
She recognized the depth of love, a melding of hearts and minds and souls that left her feeling more complete than she'd been before.
Afterward, Abe wrapped his arm around her and held her close to his side. In his embrace, Genevieve was where she belonged.
She breathed the words, "That was incredible." Then she put her hand on his bicep, lovingly…and a bit possessively.
"It was perfect," he said, stroking her hair. " You're perfect."
*****
Genevieve watched Abe's face as he drifted toward sleep. She admired the strong line of his jaw, and the way his eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks. Glancing down, she imagined his nakedness under the sheet.
Abe's peaceful expression was comforting. Her heart overflowed with love for this man who'd opened his life and his heart to her despite any risk.
Being with Abe felt natural and right. She belonged there, in his arms, in his bed, and in his life. The certainty of it was life changing in the best possible way.
In her mind, she replayed their lovemaking, amazed by how emotionally fulfilling it had been. Every touch had been a communication, and every kiss had held a promise of something lasting and real.