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As gestures went, it wasn’t a lot. But he wanted—needed—to show Haisley that he wasn’t just her booty call and that love wasn’t just for the lucky few. What they had was real, precious, and worth fighting for.

He hoped like fuck he could convince her of that.

Nash turned to find her watching him prepare her bath, shoulders hunched, arms crossed over her chest. She looked small and vulnerable. Chastened and lost. Damn it, his Haisley was full of life and big personality. She should never be this withdrawn or less than ecstatically happy.

He needed to figure out exactly how he’d fucked up and fix it.

Without a word, he scooped her into his arms again and lowered her tense form into the steaming bath. As the water enveloped her, she slowly sank against the back of the tub with a sigh that told him she liked what he’d done.

Bolstered, Nash grabbed a washcloth, then knelt beside the tub and began to tenderly wash her.

Haisley’s eyes fluttered closed, her tension visibly melting. “You don’t have to do this.”

“You already said that. I want to.”

She had more objections; they were all over her face. But she didn’t voice them, and he didn’t say anything else. Instead, Nash massaged shampoo into her scalp, marveling at the silky strands slipping through his fingers. He loved the quiet intimacy and the way she let him cherish her. Why hadn’t he treated her like a queen before?

He took his time, working the lather through her hair with gentle, circular motions. His fingers traced the curve of her neck, kneading away the tension he found there. A soft moan escaped Haisley’s lips, sending a shaft of answering satisfaction through him.

“Feel good?”

She hummed, relaxing into his touch and giving herself over in a way that wasn’t sexual, but still required her trust. “Heavenly.”

Nash smiled as he cupped water in his hands and rinsed her hair with meticulous care. Once he’d washed away all the suds, he reached for a fluffy towel.

“Ready to get out?”

Haisley nodded, allowing him to help her stand and wrap her in the towel’s warm embrace. He couldn’t resist pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as he breathed in the scent of her—lavender and something uniquely Haisley—committing it to memory.

Back in the bedroom, he grabbed a soft, worn nightgown from the hook on the back of her door and helped her into it. As the fabric settled around her curves, Nash’s breath caught. God, she looked insanely beautiful. He felt intensely protective and possessive. And he’d never been more determined to fight for her.

Still, he knew better than to push Haisley before she was ready to be moved.

“Tea?” he asked, desperate to prolong their time together.

“If you don’t mind.” Haisley sounded surprised by his offer. “That would be nice.”

Wanting everything to be perfect for Haisley, Nash settled her into the bed and created a cozy nest of pillows and soft blankets before he headed downstairs to turn on the kettle.

While he waited for the water to boil, he couldn’t help but reflect on the past two years—the longing, the regret, the countless nights he’d lain awake missing her warmth beside him.

Now he knew why. Or at least he thought so, but he couldn’t shake the notion that Haisley hadn’t told him everything. If he wanted the truth—and he did—he had to proceed carefully.

Once the kettle whistled, he poured the water over the tea bags he’d scrounged from her cabinet, then returned to her bedroom with two steaming mugs. As he handed hers over, their fingers brushed in the exchange. She pulled back, pretending the contact was no big deal, like their touch didn’t have the potential to start another fire between them. Like her refusing his touch now wasn’t personal.

He ignored the stab of pain and settled in beside her. The herbal aroma wafted between them, comforting and homey.

As they sipped their tea in pensive silence, Nash found her free hand and intertwined their fingers. Thankfully, she didn’t try to pull away. So he rubbed soothing circles on her skin with his thumb, hoping his touch conveyed everything she wasn’t ready to hear.

“Thanks.” Haisley turned to him, her smile soft yet strained. “This is really kind of you.”

It was hardly a declaration of love, but Haisley wasn’t pushing him away. She was accepting his comfort and care. It was another small crack in the walls she’d built around her heart.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You don’t believe me yet, but I’m always here for you, no matter what.”

She tensed, but didn’t argue or push back. He wished like hell he knew what she was thinking.

“Talk to me, baby.”