Chapter Twenty-Six - Joshua #2
I watch, mesmerized as the thin material slides down, leaving her upper body bare except for the bandages. I take in her smooth, tan shoulders and the few small freckles that decorate her skin.
I’d noticed those spots the night she fell asleep in my arms, and it had taken all my restraint to stop from brushing my fingertips over them. I can so clearly recall that steady rise and fall of her chest and how she’d held small fistfuls of my shirt as if asking me to stay with her, so I did.
I’m pulled back to the present when she clutches the shirt protectively to her front and squares her shoulders.
I survey the bandages. “Are you ready?”
She nods.
My hands move gently over her skin, peeling away the bandages with the utmost care. When they’re all free, I pull them away from her back, seeing the damage in its entirety for the very first time.
I’d seen it in the basement, but it had been covered by her shredded shirt and blood. Even today, when she pulled her shirt down, I only saw the bandages.
But now, I see it all.
Dozens of raised lash marks decorate her skin like a morbid canvas. The areas that Tripp hit multiple times have morphed into singular injuries, which are still bright red. Scabbing covers the majority of the marks that were once open wounds.
When I first met Elise, she was pure, innocent, and unblemished. Then, I took what was good and twisted—tainted it.
But I didn’t ruin it.
Earlier, Elise said I’d taken everything from her, but she was wrong. Her strength, her fire, and her heart remain perfectly intact, and there’s not a thing in the world that could take that away from her.
Here she sits, after everything she’s had to endure, as graceful as ever.
As beautiful as ever.
So beautiful.
I lean in, and my lips gently brush the marred skin. I barely make contact as I place feather-light kisses across her back.
Elise sucks in a sharp breath, and I wonder if I’m hurting her, but as my kisses trace along her back, the tense muscles relax under my lips. That assurance sends a thrill through my body, and I slide off the chair and onto my knees.
When she gasps, the soft sound is enough to drive me mad. I’ve never felt so satisfied, so content in my life.
My kisses travel up her shoulders, and my lips trail along her collarbone as I circle the chair without breaking contact. I’m kneeling in front of her when I finally pull away and meet her leveled gaze.
Neither of us says a word. We just share one breath, completely intoxicated by one another.
She has to see how badly I want her.
How badly I need her.
I’m about to open my mouth to tell her just that when she leans forward, and her soft lips meet mine.
When my momentary surprise has passed, I’m kissing her back with the need of a starving animal.
Just like with our other kisses, she lets me dominate her mouth, but her passion is just as furious as mine.
Elise slides out of the chair, her lips never leaving mine. The fabric of her discarded shirt presses to my chest, holding it in place. Her arms wrap around my neck, anchoring me to her, and the feeling is euphoric.
She wants me just as much as I want her.
This fact is a hit from the most addictive drug, and I wrap my arms around her body to pull her closer.
I realize my mistake at the same moment Elise cries out.
I mutter a slew of curses as I withdraw my hands from her back immediately. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to—I didn’t—damn it, are you okay?”
To my surprise, she chuckles breathlessly. My eyebrows knit together as she shakes her head, still wincing.
“It’s okay. I’ve just never seen you so flustered before,” she explains with a ghost of a smile.
I breathe a sigh of relief before holding my hand out to her. “Let’s get you ready for bed.”
I take extra care while bandaging her back to avoid hurting her again. When I’m finally done, I turn to pack up the supplies, giving her a chance to put her shirt back on with some level of privacy.
She sits on the bed when she’s done, and I sit beside her.
“I leave in the morning, but I’ll be back in a few days.”
“Where are you—” The words die in her throat.
She knows where I’m going.
“Going to miss me?” I quip in an attempt to lighten the mood.
It must work because a faint blush colors her cheeks. “I didn’t say that.”
“Didn’t have to. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. Ryder will be here the whole time. If you need anything, just ask him.”
She nods but doesn’t answer as she climbs into bed, lying on her stomach.
I run a hand over her hair. “I’m just going to straighten some things out so I can work from here for the month. I’ll be back before you know it. Now get some sleep.”
“Goodnight, Joshua,” she murmurs as her eyes flutter to a close.
“Goodnight, Elise. I’ll be back soon,” I promise, kissing her temple gently.
When I reach the door and look back at the beautiful girl whose hair is splayed across the pillow and whose face is resting in an expression of complete and utter peace, the realization hits me like a punch to the gut. It sucks the air from my lungs and nearly brings me to my knees.
I’m in love with Elise Consoli.