Chapter 291
"No need," I mumbled, my voice hollow.
Amelia led me away, her grip on my hand surprisingly strong. I trailed behind her, a puppet with severed strings.
The police arrived as we reached the restaurant entrance, but their voices seemed to come from a distant tunnel. All I could hear was the echo of Jenny's slap, the sting of her words.
I answered the officer's questions mechanically, my mind a chaotic jumble of emotions.
Amelia drove me to the hospital, her hand resting reassuringly on mine throughout the examination.
"Does it hurt?" she asked softly, her fingers gently tracing the outline of my bruised cheekbone.
I stared at her, a strange sense of disorientation washing over me. "Was I... wrong?"
She shook her head vehemently, her eyes filled with concern. "No, John. You did the right thing. And she didn't deserve you to do that."
"She didn't deserve..." I repeated, the words catching in my throat.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips, morphing into a sob I couldn't contain. Tears streamed down my face, hot and unwelcome.
Amelia pulled me close, her touch surprisingly comforting. I buried my face in her shoulder, my body wracked with sobs.
"Let's go home," I whispered, my voice raw with emotion.
"The test results...still not come out."
"Please, Amelia. I just want to go home."
"Fine, we will head home as long as we get your test results."
She relented, her voice soothing as she coaxed me like a child.
The doctor assured us my injuries were minor, nothing more than a few bruises and a mild concussion.
We drove to Amelia's apartment in a quiet, upscale neighborhood. It was a cozy three-bedroom, tastefully decorated and filled with the scent of jasmine.
Amelia helped me shower, her touch gentle as she washed away the grime and blood. I let her fuss over me, too emotionally drained to resist.
In her bedroom, I clung to her, burying my face in the curve of her neck. "I'm so tired," I mumbled.
She hummed softly, her fingers stroking my hair.
Rain began to fall outside, a steady drumming against the windowpane. But here, in Amelia's arms, I found a strange sense of peace.
Sleep claimed me, but it was a restless sleep, plagued by nightmares. I dreamt of stormy seas, of being lost and alone. I thrashed against the sheets, my cries swallowed by the wind.
Then, through the darkness, I saw an island, a beacon of hope. I struggled towards it, my heart pounding with anticipation.
A voice called my name, drawing me closer.
The world tilted, and I plunged into the icy depths.
A hand reached out, pulling me back from the brink.
I woke with a gasp, my body slick with sweat.
Amelia lay beside me, her naked skin flushed, her hair fanned across the pillow. The sheets were tangled around our legs, stained with the evidence of our lovemaking.
My mind went blank.
Memories of the previous night flooded back in disjointed fragments: Jenny's slap, Amelia's apartment, the feel of her skin against mine.
I remembered the nightmares, the terror of being lost at sea.
And then, with a clarity that stole my breath, I remembered Amelia's touch, the way she'd held me as I succumbed to a darkness I hadn't even known I craved.
"Amelia," I croaked, my voice thick with confusion. "We... we made love?"
She blushed, a slow smile spreading across her lips. "It seems we did. And now," she added, her voice dropping to a husky whisper, "we're as close as two people can be."
She leaned in, kissing me softly.
I cradled her face in my hands, my thumb gently stroking her cheekbone. "What happened? I was asleep."
"You were having a nightmare," she explained, her voice soft. "You were calling out, thrashing around. I tried to wake you, but you wouldn't budge. And then..." she hesitated, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink, "...you pulled me close. And... one thing led to another."
"Amelia, I... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean..."
"Don't apologize, John," she interrupted, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "It was beautiful. You were... incredible."
Guilt twisted in my gut. I traced the outline of a fading bruise on her shoulder, my heart aching with remorse. "Did I do this?"
"You were a bit... rough," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "But it was my first time, so maybe I just bruise easily."
"Your first time?"
She nodded, her gaze dropping to her lap.
I pulled her close, overcome with a wave of tenderness. Amelia, the strong, independent woman, had entrusted me with her vulnerability, her innocence. And I, in my grief-stricken state, had taken advantage of her kindness.
"Amelia, I... I don't know what to say. I'm so, so sorry."
"Don't be," she whispered, her arms tightening around me. "I'm not sorry. Not one bit. You made me feel... alive, John. More alive than I've ever felt."
She sat up, her expression turning serious. "Besides, it's not like I regret it. We both know how rare it is to find someone you connect with, someone who truly understands you. And when you find that person, you don't let them go. You grab onto them with both hands and you don't let go, no matter what."
"But what if I'm not... what if I'm not good enough for you? What if I hurt you again?"
She cupped my face in her hands, her eyes searching mine. "You won't. I trust you, John. And besides," she added, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "these next few days are my most fertile time of the month. Imagine that. A little one to complete our family."
She leaned down, her lips brushing against mine. "Let's make the most of it, shall we?"
And with that, she kissed me, her touch both demanding and tender.
I surrendered to the moment, my earlier guilt giving way to a surge of desire. She was right. Life was too short for regrets.
"Amelia," I murmured against her lips. "What if I'm... what if I'm not good in bed?"
She laughed, a throaty sound that sent shivers down my spine. "You were amazing, John. Trust me."
"But..."
"No buts," she interrupted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Now, where were we?"
She kissed me again, deeper this time, her tongue tangling with mine.
I lost myself in the sensation, my earlier anxieties fading into the background.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
