Page 18 of Rum and Roses
Rosalie shifted, reaching out for me. I stood up only to sit down beside her. Letting her crawl into my lap and bury her face into my chest, I wrapped my arms around her and lifted my hand to wipe her tears. “It’s okay… you’re okay. I’m not mad at you—accidents happen. It’s alright.” She leaned into me, hertears subsided, calming down. I couldn’t help but wonder who had hurt her in the past. The thought of someone hurting her made me sick. I swallowed the thought.
All that matters to me is her… her safety… her happiness… I’m sorry, Rosalie… I should’ve kept a better eye on you…
I held her until she calmed down. I didn’t speak, nor move. I held her for as long as she needed me. She needed me to be her rock, her safe space, and I fully intended to be that for her.
After ten or so minutes passed, Rosalie lifted her head. “I’m sorry, Silas,” she whispered.
I leaned down, planting a soft kiss against her forehead. “It’s okay…”
She had no idea how perfect she really was.
“I know it’s just a vase… I just…”
“You don’t have to explain yourself if you don’t want to; I understand,” I reassured her with a smile.
She nodded again, her eyes softening with a sense of understanding behind them.
“I am going to clean up the glass now. I don’t want you to cut yourself again, okay? Then we can put your roses in a new vase. How about you sit and read that new book I got you?”
She nodded.
I handed her the book, another romantasy. This one was calledLies and Lavender. Giving her a moment to get repositioned on the couch, I watched her curl up on her side, beneath the blankets. Facing the TV, she timidly took the book from my hands. I ran my hand through her hair, pushing her curls from her face before I rose from the couch. I looked at her for a moment over my shoulder before taking care of the broken vase. Gathering all the shards into a trash bag, I made sure to sort out each rose, stacking them on her nightstand. I vacuumed after I picked up the rest of the shards, making sure that there was absolutely no way she could somehow get hurt again. Ipaused, noticing Rosalie watching me. A slight smile formed from the corners of my lips as I continued cleaning.
I will do anything for her.
I made a quick trip upstairs to dispose of the trash bag and find a vase. This one was just as pretty, but it was plastic. Filling it with water, I then made my way back down the stairs, locking the door behind me again. Gathering the roses on her nightstand, I rejoined her on the couch. I placed the vase of water and the roses down on the coffee table in front of us.
“Here, we can put your roses in here… do you want me to help you?” I asked tenderly.
She sat up, wrapping her arms around my neck without hesitation, and rested her head on my shoulder. I lifted my hands, holding her arms carefully. “Yes, please,” she whispered.
I nodded. “Alright.”
Rosalie pulled away, shifting to place her roses into the vase. I helped her. One by one, we put the roses back until they were all placed within the vase. She smiled. “Thank you.”
“Of course, anything for you,” I sank back into the couch.
Her eyes rested on mine. “Silas?”
God, I loved when she said my name.
I was about to speak, but she leaned forward in one graceful motion. Pressing her lips against mine, my eyes widened at first, and then closed moments after. My pulse quickened, my face suddenly felt hot, and—the whole world came to a stop. She tasted sweet, sweeter than she smelled. She kissed me tenderly, and when she pulled away, I lifted my hand to her cheek, pulling her back in for a second kiss. One that was much more passionate than the first.
When we parted the second time, we both panted softly. Breathless, we stared at one another. Smiling, yet speechless at the same time.
I opened my arms, and she sank right into my chest. Lying on me, I pulled the blankets over us. Holding her, I kept one arm around her back, rubbing soft circles as my other hand toyed with her hair.
She had no idea.
No idea how long I wanted this. Us. Her.
Now that I had her, I had no intention of ever letting her go.
I planted another soft kiss against her forehead, holding her as we mindlessly watched TV together.
This, this was perfect. My love. My life. My sweet, sweet Rosalie.
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