The steady beeping of a machine woke me. The white ceiling above greeting my hazy vision and I felt the soreness on my side, that grew to a sharp pain.
I opened my parched mouth as Beth walked into the room, coffee mug in hand.
“Oh, Amy!” She burst, lunging forward towards the bed.
Blinking, I tried to remember what had put me in the hospital. “What happened?
She took a few breaths, putting a hand to my bangs and brushing to comfort me though it did little of what she intended. “Hun, you fell down the flight of stairs in the underground parking.”
“W-what?”
“You have a mild concussion,” Beth murmured, “It’s okay, though, and so is the baby.”
I looked to my still very pregnant belly. How had I forgot I was pregnant, how had I . . .
“Where’s Ean!”
Beth paused, “He’s—”
“He’s not here?”
“It took me a long time to get ahold of him,” She told me, “But he’s coming.”
I started to whine as the pain in my side grew.
“D-do you remember falling?”
“No.” I shook my head.
“I should go get the nurse,” Beth breathed, “I’ll be right back.” She left me, almost at a run.
Lying still, I put my hands on my stomach, a gentle rub caused the baby to move and it brought me relief. I couldn’t remember why or what had caused me to slip. I could recall was the night before and bath and talking to Ean, or, at least, I thought it had been the night before.
The door opened and in walked a nurse, Beth behind her.
“We’re glad you’re up.” The nurse stopped at my side. “How are you feeling?”
“I have some pain in my side.”
The nurse nodded. “You’re bruised but you should recover relatively quick, we can give you some more pain medication—”
“Oh, no.” I shook my head, it wasn’t that bad and Ean might not have liked that.
“It’s safe for the baby.”
“Shit.” Rubbing a hand over my eye, the nurse took my blood pressure and then it hit me. “Oh my god!”
Beth’s eyes went wide. “What’s wrong?”
“They fired me!”
Beth’s face fell. “N-no . . .”
“Yes, they did!” I argued, pulling my arm away from the nurse.
“Please, calm down.” The woman gave me a stern look.
“Amy, they didn’t fire you, you were-”
“They forced me to take maternity leave. They . . .” I started to cry.
“Miss.” The nurse tried again.
I scowled at her. “Leave me alone!”
Beth sighed. “Amy, it’s okay.”
“Oh, what would you know, no wonder I fell down the fucking stairs! My whole life is gone!”
“Amy, stop.” Beth put her hand on my shoulder. “Just stop.”
I looked at her, silent as the nurse continued to check me over. I started to remember the conversation with Doug and Larry, what they’d said, word for word.
The nurse finished after five minutes, assured me everything was okay with the baby and me, and left. Beth at my side quiet, I spoke first.
“Do you know when Ean will be here?”
“I can’t say,” Beth said in a soft voice.
“Was he upset? What did you tell him?”
She hesitated, “I told him you fell and were found unconscious in a stairwell.”
“Oh God, Beth, you make it sound horrible.”
“It was.”
“He must be freaked out.”
“Well, I told him all I knew at that time.”
“Which was what?”
“That you were okay because they had said you would be.”
“So, there was a point where the baby wasn’t?” I broke.
“No, they hadn’t told me yet. He’ll be here soon.” Beth repeated.
“You don’t understand how worried he gets, he’ll be ridiculous when he gets here.” I rolled my eyes, even though the pain in my chest increased, I wanted him here with me. “You should have just lied to him.”
“Amy.” She shook her head. “Are you hungry? I can ask what you can eat.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind that.”
She passed me the remote for the television in the room and promised to be back quick. Waiting and not wanting to think about the frenzy Ean would be in, I flipped on the television.
Tripping on stairs had gotten me here? Really? I groaned, changing channels till I found the news. It being early evening, I was surprised how long I’d been out for.
Not worrying too much about it, Beth returned quick, a tray of bland foods in tow.
Opening the red jello, I started to indulge.
She watched and waited, glancing at the news from time to time.
“I’m sorry about, Steve.” I needed to bring it up and figured now was a good time.
Beth looked at me and blinked. “Oh, I understand you’re trying to protect me.”
Wincing from the pain on my side as I reached for the apple slices, I said, “I want to be there for you, if you think he’s being honest, then I can trust your judgment. I was ignorant, I’m sorry.”
She took a moment, a slight smile forming.
“What?” I said between bites.
“He’s changed you so much.”
Stopping the apple chewing, I stared at her. “Huh?”
The door opened and we both look to it as Ean stepped into the room.
“Oh.” My eyes widened, somehow choking the half chewed apple in my mouth.
“Ean!” Beth greeted him.
“Hey.” He came towards me, not taking his eyes from mine.
Beth left my side at once and let him fill the space.
He leaned over the bed and I reached for his shirt, catching a handful of the fabric. I took him in, a tad scruffy faced and woodsy smelling, but for some reason I enjoyed it. For the first time in weeks, we kissed, forgetting I was in the hospital till he pushed the tray and side table away to reveal my stomach.
Our mouths parted, his face still hard with concern.
“We’re okay.” I said in the softest of my voices.
His plastered worry and sheer panic were lifted. I was glad too, being upset wasn’t a good look on him.
His hand came to our baby. “I got on the first plane out, but I had to wait.”
“It’s okay. You’re here.” I wanted his kiss again, so I pulled him back for more.
He groaned against my lips, only half allowing my neediness. “I was so worried.”
I cupped his cheeks, a smile breaking me. “Ean.”
He scooped me around the waist and nuzzled my neck, careful of the IV in my wrist and the other hook-ups going on around my body.
“Ow.” My side ached.
He loosened his firm hold on me. “Are you okay?”
“I landed on my side, so it’s sore.”
He kissed my cheek and sat down on the bed, looking me over and everything that I was attached to. “Everything is fine?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
Beth had sunk down on the couch on the other side of the room, staying quiet.
“And Beth’s been here.”
Ean swallowed and looked to my friend. “Thank you, Beth.”
Elizabeth’s face flatlined as she started to nod, not expecting the appreciation. “Of course.”
Ean’s eyes returned to mine. “You have an enormous bump on your head.”
“I hit it.”
“Hmm.” He shook his head. “How did this happen?”
“I tripped . . . You didn’t tell him, Beth?”
“She said where they found you.” Ean interjected, “Why were you on the stairs?”
I shrugged, not wanting to divulge the details, knowing how upset it would make him hearing the full story.
Beth gave me one of her looks, though. “I’ll leave you two, call Steve, be back in a bit.” She excused herself and disappeared out the door.
Ean waited, and I knew it was for more information. “Amy?”
I let out a breath. “They forced me to leave the company.”
His face hardened. “What?”
The lump in my throat grew. “Yeah—”
“Jesus,” He grunted, “And you what, left the office right away?”
“Yeah, I think.” I couldn’t remember everything but it was there, somewhere.
“Those guys are idiots.” Ean shot.
I sighed. “I don’t have a job.”
He looked at me, his face saying it all, as in ‘really, Amy?’
“What?” I grumbled.
“I’m just glad you’re okay. I don’t think, I’ve ever been so panicked before.”
What about when she died? I kept my thoughts to myself but if he loved me as much as he said, I couldn’t imagine how much he’d loved her.
“Do you have to go back?” I traced my fingers over his near thigh.
“No, sweetie.”
“Oh.” Relief hit me.
“Hm.” He studied the things attached to me again. “You’re going to need someone to take care of you anyway for a few days, maybe a week.”
“My side is quite sensitive, they offered me pain medication.”
“Have they given you it yet?”
“No. I said no.”
“Why?” He questioned.
“I figured you wouldn’t like it, because of the baby.”
“Amy.” He smiled. “It’s okay.”
Whining, I looked down to the baby bump, I didn’t need his approval but I had declined the pain medication in wanting his approval. Was I really this messed up? What would possess a person to act so needy?
“You can have it if you need it. It won’t hurt the baby.”
“I didn’t know what you or the witch doctor would have to say about it, that’s all.” I admitted.
He leaned into me, his mouth pressing against my pouting lips. “I love you.”
My heart swelled and I wrapped my free arm around his neck, pulling him into a hug.
He had paused before his low chuckle plagued him, his arms wrapping around me. “I missed you.”
I couldn’t understand him, unsure if I ever would, but one thing was sure, I had missed him more than I had thought.
With gentle bites, he laid kisses on my neck and shoulder, warmth filled me and wrung my fingers through his hair.
“Ean?”
“Hmm?” He lifted from my hands.
I looked him over in his cotton shirt and blue pants that he had obviously been wearing to work in.
He waited but I had nothing to say, my mind went blank and I started to cry.
His brow creased as he watched the tears stream my cheeks. “Sweetie, what’s wrong?”
“I’m afraid.” I sobbed pathetically.
He looked confused but tried to process. “Of being here?”
“No.”
“The baby?” He tried next.
“No.” I choked.
He sighed, “What, Amy?”
“Of, n-not having a job!” I burst into more tears.
He swallowed, giving me a moment. “Amy, at least, you’re alright. I mean, this could have been a lot worse—”
“B-but I don’t have a job.” I cried. “I’m j-jobless.”
“On the bright side, you have a nice bank balance.”
“Ean!” I snapped.
“Okay, that wasn’t funny, but we will figure it out,” He tried to assure me, again.
“What would you know?” I grumbled, “You’re happy carving things out of wood and saving people.”
He smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone that can insult someone’s whole existence in one sentence.”
My tears halted and I looked to him. “Oh.”
“You’re very talented.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know.” He nodded.
“You do?”
He smiled again. “Yeah, you just get mean when you get frustrated but if I really listen to what you’re saying and don’t take it personally, it’s sort of funny.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s great I’m so amusing for you.”
“I care about you, Amy, not that job and your idiot boss.” He leaned back and put his hand on my tummy. Taking aim, the baby gave him a swift kick in the palm.
He smiled and lowered his mouth against the bump, kissing it. I loved the way he looked when he did that. I loved—
Snapping out of my hearts and flowers and got antsy. “I want to leave, do you think you can talk to someone?”
“Uh.” He straightened on the bed. “In a bit.”
“No, I kind of want to go now.” I argued.
“Don’t be difficult. You took a bad fall. It’s best for you and the baby to wait this one out.”
“I’m just freaking out, the more I remember what Doug and Larry said.”
Ean sighed, not replying and obviously done with the topic.
The door of the room opened and a doctor walked in. “Hello. They let me know you’re up.” She approached the bed. “I’m Doctor Rachel Whitman.” She introduced herself to me and a smile crossed her face when she saw him. “Ean!”
He seemed to recognize her too because he greeted her with just a big smile. “Hey.”
“I haven’t seen you in years!” She knew him but how well?
“Yeah,” He nodded, “Something like that.”
I kept my mouth closed and waited to get the full story.
“Are you back here?” She prodded, forgetting her patient existed.
“No.” He took my hand and rubbed it, I appreciated his need to comfort me.
“Oh.” Doctor Whitman paused, looking to me.
“My girlfriend, Amy.” Ean introduced me, “She just works here in the city so, that’s why I’m here.”
“O-oh! How silly of me, I just haven’t seen you since . . . you left.” She trailed off.
This was a doctor? Awkward.
I looked at her. “So, what’s the verdict? How messed up am I?”
Ean winced with a chuckle. “Please answer that in the best way possible.”
Doctor Whitman smiled. “It’s looking great. You’ll be bruised from the tumble.”
Tumble? Is that what she called, falling down a flight of stairs? I wrinkled my nose.
“Otherwise, in a few hours, I might feel comfortable discharging you.”
“Oh.” I perked up, liking those words.
“We’ll just monitor you here for a bit and I’ll be back.” She gave me a brief smile before looking to Ean. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, Rachel.” Ean big her off and I watched her leave with a narrowed eye.
“So, spill.”
“Spill?” He lifted an eyebrow.
“Yeah. Relationship? Girlfriend? Just had sex with each other?” Though my last idea bothered.
He laughed. “No, calm down. Just friends.”
“Oh.” I grunted, “Not that I was hoping you’d been . . . well, it’s nice she hasn’t seen . . .”
“What?” He kept his smirk.
“You naked.” I finished.
Ean laughed again, “Amy, you’re hilarious. So, few more hours and we can leave. Where do you want to go?”
“Home?” Figuring it was evident.
“No, I know, but would you rather come to my house?”
I blinked if I left the city, would I ever be back? My heart stopped.
“I just know you like my bed or . . .” He sighed, shaking his head, “You might be more comfortable there. It was an idea.”
“Will you bring me back?”
He paused. “Amy, I’m not saying move in.”
“Oh.” I nodded, “Yeah, I mean—”
“Unless you want to.” He added, cutting through my sentence.
“Uh.”
We both stared at one another, about to speak when the door opened and Beth walked in, smiling.
“How you feeling, Red?”
I grumbled. “Beth, I really detest that nickname, you know that.”
“I know.” She brushed me off, smiling at Ean.
“How’s Steve?” I got out, making too much effort, in my opinion, to be concerned about them.
“Oh, he’s okay. He’s worried about you, he’s going to pick me up in a bit here.”
I tried not to wrinkle my nose, really tried.
Ean rubbed my shoulder, relaxing my new tension as Beth began to blabber and though we both listened, it was not enough to pull our eye contact. My stomach growled and I remembered my food on the side table.
“Maybe I’ll finish the bland food?” I reached out and grabbed the tray, sliding it to my side. An hour or so passed, Beth doing most the talking, Ean having a few words and me with even less.
Steve showed up and Beth happily greeted him, like her old self, and I realized it was her old self.
“Amy.” Steven walked towards me, flowers in hand.
“Oh.” I blinked at them as he handed me the bouquet. “Thank you.”
Steven nodded. “Hope you’re feeling better.”
It screamed ‘suck up’ gift but I allowed it, looking to Ean. “Nice, hey?”
“Yeah.” Ean gave me a nod. “Thanks for making me look like douche.” He joked, glancing at Steve.
“I was instructed.” Steve laughed, pointing to Beth.
She smiled. “You don’t have much competition, Ean, you could easily out do that gift.”
Ean lifted his brow. “Really?”
I stared at Beth, trying to figure out the hint she was dropping, “With what, Beth?”
Beth shrugged, the boys exchanged a few words of goodbye and in that time she flashed her ‘rings’ at me—showing me exactly what she’d meant.
I wanted to scream at her but opted for narrowing of the eyes, a glower.
They left us, Beth beaming, I couldn’t argue she was back to normal and good, easier to deal with that way.
I finished my juice box and Ean snooped at things around the room.
“So, does your sister know you’re in town?”
“No, why?” He turned to me.
I shrugged.
He thought and I waited for his next words, knowing they’d be something of a sputter. “They want to meet you, Amy.”
I laughed to myself. “Goodluck with that.”
He’d told me several times over the past months, that after he had dropped me off, he went to visit Annie and his mother, more than a few times trying to convince me I should go with him. It would take more than asking to ever get me to take that bullet, as far as my knowledge went, they were not fond of me, his sister in particular.
“They asked last time I saw them. You’re gonna have the baby soon, it’s probably proper etiquette to meet my mother.”
I snorted out a laugh. “I’ll meet her at the wedding.” Thinking I was funny and not realizing exactly what I’d said.
Ean stared at me and after a long pause, asked, “Our wedding?”
“Uh.” My smile faded, “It was a joke.”
“Oh,” He grunted, “Well, you should meet my mother before ‘our wedding.’”
“It was a joke, Ean.” I growled.
He smiled. “I was joking too.”
I wrinkled my brow, not believing him, what was worse, I had only help plant the idea in his head that one day I would marry him.
Trying not to let the silence drag on, I brought up something entirely random and before I knew it, I was walking out of the hospital. Almost some swag in my step but only due to the heavy weight of pregnancy. The automatic doors swung open and led us down the final hall to the outside.
A man walked towards us, empty baby car seat in hand and I took a moment to realize that would soon be Ean. Looking up, the man smiled at me and we both stopped—dead.
“Bobby.” I got out.
“Amy.” He stared at me, my stomach and Ean. “Jeez.”
I swallowed, not knowing what to say or do.
Ean waited at my side as I fumbled to speak. “Ean this is my brother, Bobby—er—Robert.”
“No, Bobby’s fine.” He brushed off, shaking Ean’s hand.
“Nice to meet you.” Excitement got the better of Ean, I could feel it.
Stepping back, my brother took me in. “Shit, Amy, it’s been years.”
“Yeah.” I grumbled, “I know.”
“And-and you’re pregnant!” Someone might as well have given him a megaphone for how loud he’d said that.
“Uh, yeah.” I nodded.
“And this is your?” Bobby looked to Ean.
“Boyfriend.” Ean filled him.
“Awesome, well, you look healthy!”
I stared at my brother. “Thanks, Bobby.”
“It’s a good thing.” Bobby laughed but I didn’t understand his humor.
“Why are you here? Is everything alright?” I asked, wondering about my parents.
“Oh, yeah.” Bobby nodded. “Suzanne just had our new baby girl.”
“Oh.” I blinked, last time I’d seen Bobby, he had just got engaged to Suzanne. “Congratulations.”
“Four now.” He chuckled.
My eyes went wide. “Y-you have four kids?”
My brother’s face dropped a bit. “Yeah, I do. Eight years is a long time, Amy.”
I swallowed. “Yeah, I know, I just . . .”
“Look,” Bobby cut me off, “I have to go but if you’re free tomorrow we’re having some family and friends over around four, we’re still in that house in Kits.”
“Uh . . .” I paused, he was inviting me to a family thing? After eight years? Umm. NO!
“Sure, we’ll come.” Ean interjected.
I made a squeaked but Bobby’s smiles and byes were enough to cover my panic. When we walked away, I flipped.
“What was that!” I burst.
“Don’t you want to go?”
“No, I do not want to go, Ean!”
He looked around us and took my arm. “We don’t have to go but I think you should consider it.”
“What are you a family counselor now?” I snapped.
He laughed, leading me outside. “No, I’m just your boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend’s don’t hold enough power to accept family functions!”
He laughed. “What do I have to ‘be’ to get enough power? Husband?”
I rolled my eyes. “Shut up.”
“When was the last time you saw them, Amy?” He walked me towards his truck across the lot. Still holding on to me and making sure I could walk.
“When I left for university.” I grumbled.
“Which was eight years ago?”
I shrugged.
“Amy, why?”
“Why does it matter!” I argued. “It’s none of your business.”
“Sweetie, I’m confused about what I am to you. You want me to be there for you, then you push me away. I’m not allowed to know things but then I know some things. It’s confusing.”
We stopped beside his truck. “What do you want from me?”
“For you to let me in!” He snapped.
I shut my mouth and stepped back, catching myself on the truck. “They don’t understand me.”
He creased his brow. “What?”
“They never have. I wanted money and designer things, and all my mother ever told me was to find a good man and have a baby, ‘that’ll make you happy, Amy!’”
His shoulders dropped, “That’s just your mother’s opinion, why blame your whole family?”
“Because they’re all like her. Bobby has four kids! Four!” I exploded, “Who knows about the rest of them.”
“How many siblings do you have again?”
“There’s six of us.” I hissed.
“Okay.” Ean sighed. “Calm down. It’s okay. Let’s go back to your house and you can have a bath.”
“I don’t want a bath, Ean!” I shuddered, angry still, “I just want to know why my whole entire life, I worked for something and all it comes down to, is that my mother is probably right!”
He stared at me, falling silent and as the seconds passed, I couldn’t stand the distance and buried myself in his side. His arms enveloped me as I cried.
“I’m s-sorry.”
He kissed my cheek. “I’m sorry, you’re having this hard of a time. I’m not sure how to help you.”
Magic powers? Husband powers . . . I cringed, nuzzling my face into his chest, stopping my thoughts.
He rubbed my back. “Sweetie, let’s go.”
“Okay.” I parted from him.
He took my hand and helped me inside.
I winced as I sat, feeling the effects of my fall.
“Okay?” He paused at the open door.
“It’s sore.”
He kissed my cheek and ducked out. “Warm bath will help.”
“Only if you’re in it.” I said aloud, not meaning to.
“Hmm.” He smiled at me and winked.
I looked at him with a lifted brow. “I’m in a fragile place mentally, don’t flatter yourself too much.”
“Last time in bed you were pretty vocal about wanting me, were you fragile mentally then too?”
“Oh, shut up.” I grabbed the door and shut it.
He walked around the truck whistling, smug, knowing he’d won and for some reason, it was amusing to me.
~~~
I had made him stop for food, hoping to satisfy my hunger that hadn’t happened at the hospital. Once in my apartment, I changed into some fat clothes and sat down at the table to eat. Ean across from me, making small talk like he often did.
“Are you sore?”
“A little.” I slurped up the Chinese noodles.
He watched me a moment. “Seven months pregnant and you’re eating like you might die. I’ve been waiting for this.”
I took more food in my mouth, “It’s sucking the life out of me.”
“I can see that.”
I countered his joking around. “Which parts; my fat ass or my huge stomach?”
“I think they’re cute.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Everything is cute to you. Even my drool on you.”
He chuckled. “You’re cute.”
“No one wants to be cute, Ean.”
“Really?” He paused.
“No, women want to be hot.”
“Well, then you’re on fire.” He laughed to himself and ate more.
I stared at him. “Sometimes I really want to strangle you.”
He pushed his plate aside, only half done. “You still want a bath?”
“You wanted the bath.” I pointed out.
“I’m gonna go start it then, don’t eat my food.” He laughed as he walked into my room.
I mimicked him, finishing my food. The water filling the tub echoed from behind. Cupboards in the bathroom slammed on and off as he messed around with some task.
In a slow movement, I stood, walking my aching body into the bedroom. Seeing him digging in the bottom cupboard, I bit my lip.
I sort of wanted him, it’d sort of been a long time.
He swore, hitting his head as he stood, bottle in hand.
“What are you doing?” I walked over, taking what was in his hand.
“Getting bubbles.” He continued to rub his head.
I smiled and walked to the tub, pouring in the lavender scented soap.
He came behind me, lifting the edge of my oversized shirt up and over my head. His mouth came to my shoulder and he sucked gently on my skin, his hands running up my waist and catching my bra.
“Oh, you have a normal one on today.” He undid the clasp on the back.
“I had to buy new ones because my boobs are too big.”
“I like these more.” He freed my chest and I swooped my arms across myself.
“Only because my boobs are bigger.”
He removed my arms and nibbled at my neck. “It’s a plus.”
Removing my yoga pants, I stepped into the water with his help. The warm water in the deep tub felt amazing and I hated when he was so right I wanted to tell him it.
Looking up after my momentary relaxation, he smiled down at me.
“Oh, do you like the show?” I poked.
He smiled. “This isn’t a show.”
I stared at him, trying to figure out what he meant and then I did. “Don’t do it.” I pointed at him in warning.
“What?” He smirked, pulling his belt free from the loops quicker than I could protest.
“God, don’t.” I blushed.
He took his shirt off quick and whipped it at me. I swatted it away to the edge of the tub, half in the water.
“You don’t like my strip dancing?”
“I think you’re ridiculous!” I giggled
With a hip thrust motion, he got his pants off and I wanted to kill him but I also enjoyed him.
Snapping the edge of his underwear, he smiled at me.
“Enough.” I felt my cheeks red with embarrassment. “You can’t dance and strip. You’re not that talented.”
“I’ll stop.” He paused. “If you tell me how much you love me.”
I paused with a glare. “Ean.”
He tilted his head. “Well? Three, two . . .” he threatened with one more motion of his hips.
I burned. “You’re an idiot.”
“That’s not affection, Amy.” He went to do what I knew he would and I cringed.
“Okay! Okay!” I blurted, having enough and not wanting to endure what I knew would come next. “I sorta kinda like you.”
He laughed. “I can never win.” He leaned over and kissed me.
I pulled his hair through my wet fingers, to prolong it.
“I love you, Amy.” He breathed against my mouth, all too romantically.
Even if I wanted to roll my eyes, I smiled instead. “I know. Now, get in the bath with me.”
“I don’t know if there’s enough room for all three of us.”
“Are you calling me fat?” I warned him.
He smiled. “Fine.” Standing, he stripped his underwear, “Shove the six foot three guy in the tub with the pregnant girl.”
“Get in here.” I hissed.
He slipped in across from me, the water level rising to my chin. Grabbing my feet, he readjusted me around him and started to rub my soles.
“Mm.” I relaxed, my eyes closing from the caressing of his thick hands, “I love you.”
His massaging stopped with my sudden breathy words. “What did you say?”
I blinked my eyes open, realizing what I’d just said aloud!
“D-did you just say you love me?” His eyes met mine.
I swallowed. “Y-yeah.”
Stunned, he fumbled to speak, “Do you actually?”
Seeing his panic, I tried to bring a resolution to the situation. “Y-yes, I think so.” Unreasonable affection and neediness towards someone, yeah, I was sure I was in love with Ean Hunter.
“Shit and all I had to do this whole time was give you a foot rub?”
“Ean, shut up!” I smiled, the tension between us breaking.
His shoulders dropped and his hands in the water gripped my feet. “So, you love me, finally?” He tried it out.
I watched him, wincing. “Yeah, but don’t start thinking about other things.”
“Like what?” He questioned, playing dumb.
“You know.” I narrowed my eyes.
“Like you marrying me?” He smiled.
“Yes.” I hissed.
He lifted his hands from the water. “I will take what I can get.”
I smiled, satisfied. “Good boyfriend.”
“Good girlfriend.” His voice got husky fast and I knew what that meant by now. He moved around me, the water sloshing the sides and our mouths met.
I really did love him, perhaps more than I did my fancy house, cars or clothing and then I saw what Beth meant. He had changed me.
My heart thudded and I sunk my tongue against his, no more words needing to be said.