Page 61 of Catch My Fall
It’s the first time in so long I’ve felt even remotely sexy and as I take in my appearance. I’m surprised to find that I like the woman I see gazing back at me.
It’s empowering.
What I’m about to do is either the dumbest or the bravest thing I’ve ever done, and I’ve done my fair share of the former.
Will he like what he sees?
Will he be disgusted?
The questions of doubt continue to swirl but I do my best to shut them out of my mind.
My heart broke to find out it’s his birthday today and he said nothing. If his uncle hadn’t brought it up, I’m certain Alec would have carried on as normal without me ever knowing what today was.
Does he think he doesn’t deserve to celebrate his birthday? Whatever gave him that idea?
Alec deserves the world. He deserves to know how special he is, and hopefully after tonight, he’s going to see it. But tonight is not just about him, it’s about me. It’s about me taking control and going after what I want.
And I want him.
My chin trembles as I trace over the scar on my abdomen as it disappears under the waistband of my panties, and the image of that alone is enough to have me wanting to rip this entire outfit off my body and calling it a night.
But no.
I’m going to be bold, brave and beautiful, just like my dad told me before he died.
I’m going to go through with this if it kills me. Because if not now, if not tonight, when? Will I stay as this frightened broken girl forever?
No. Because I can’t think of anything more tragic.
I’ve been building up the courage to go through with this since we got back from Ray’s house. I’ve spent the past hour getting myself ready. I’ve scrubbed, shaved and moisturised every inch of my body. I’ve curled every lock of black hair on my head so that they fall in thick waves around my shoulders. My makeup is simple but sultry, my eyes lined in black and my lips stained the same shade of red as my lingerie.
Sliding on the silky robe, I tie it at my waist and tiptoe out of the room.
I cross the hall and hover outside his door. Nausea churns in my stomach as I turn the handle and quietly slip into his bedroom.
No turning back now.
His bedroom is bathed in a soft glow from the lamp beside the bed.
He’s lying on his side facing away from me, but as the door clicks shut, he stirs, his eyes searching through the darkness until they land on me.
His pulls himself up to sit. “Sierra? Are you alright?”
“I’m perfect.” Through the sound of blood rushing in my ears, I can hear the tremble in my voice, but I do my best to cover it.
I cross the room, coming to a stop at the foot of the bed. He’s shirtless, his dark hair mussed, but I’ve never seen it look sexier than it does right now.
Taking one last steadying breath, I untie the knot that holds my silky robe together with shaky hands and let it slip to the ground to land in a puddle at my feet.
“Jesus, fuck…” he groans, his eyes raking over every part of me, drinking me in like he can’t get enough of the sight, like he’s savouring it. “What’re you doing, princess?”
“I’m trying to be brave,” I say, but I can’t help clasping my hands protectively in front of me, covering my scar from his view as my body trembles.
He climbs out of bed and rounds the side, coming to a stop in front of me, wearing only a pair of black boxers that don’t hide the fact that he’s growing hard underneath.
My breath locks up when he takes my hands in both of his, pulling them away from my body so he can see all of me. “You never have to hide from me,” he says softly, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re so beautiful, I know you don’t believe me, but it’s true. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Tears burn in my eyes and before I know it, I’m reaching up onto my toes and pressing my mouth to his. He tastes of peppermint, his musky scent wrapping around me like a blanket as I deepen the kiss, my tongue skimming the seam of his lips.