“Just tell me if you’d like me to stop, okay?”
She nods again and I cut a piece of steak and raise it to her lips. Those lips…her eyes flick to mine and she parts her lips, and I guide the food to her mouth. I take in every piece of this moment. This is everything I have wanted to do. To be here for her, to help her with simple tasks she can’t do because of me. Her lips close around the fork and I pull it out slowly and watch as her eyes roll to the back of her head before she closes them and moans ever so softly. Luca chokes on his drink and I catch a glimpse of the two of them with undeniable lust in their eyes. I’m sure it’s the same look that’s in mine. Ariana’s eyes shoot back open at the fuss Luca is causing and realisation hits her of the noise she just made and the effect it has on the three of us. She swallows and were all watching the action intently as she then breaks out in laughter. That sound is fucking music to my ears. She wipes a tear from her eye with her arm and looks around the table.
“Well, this is fun.”
We eat the rest of our meal and make small talk between us. This is the most normal I have felt in what feels like forever. If I could take this moment and live in it forever I would. I watch as Ariana yawns and we all agree it’s time for bed. Luca comes to her side and helps her back into her wheelchair, moving her towards the stairs. Tony and I walk behind, and he puts a hand on my shoulder to get my attention silently. He nods to her, and then to the stairs and 1 get that he’s trying to tell me to help lift her up the stairs this time. I nod in return and give him a smile that I hope conveys the gratitude I have for him. Once we to the top of the stairs Luca’s phone rings and he kisses Ariana on the temple and excuses himself to answer it. Tony gestures to the chair and allows me the honour of pushing her back to her room. He opens the door when we get there, and I push her inside.
“May I help you onto the bed, angel?”
Yes, please, that would be nice.”
1 lift her and place her gently into the middle of the bed, where I have seen her sleeping with Tony and Luca. Her place is in the middle.
“Thank you, so much for tonight. It means the world to be that you would give me the time of day.” I say quietly as I sit on the edge of the bed. I go to leave, and she places a hand on my arm and looks into my eyes. Captivating my whole fucking being. My heart is beating out of my fucking chest, but she doesn’t move, doesn’t speak, she just looks…worried?
F&#
Tony speaks for her instead. “Uh, yeah, we don’t leave without a kiss. It helps her, you know, feel safe and reassured.”
I look at him and then back to her and then down to her hand on my arm. She needs to be reassured when people leave the room. I’ve created a trauma response and as much as that hits me right in the fucking heart, a kiss. She wants a kiss. I know she’s not ready for me in that way just yet, so I slowly lean down and place a soft, reassuring kiss on her forehead. She visibly relaxes and removes her hand.
“Good night, angel.”
