Her enthusiasm brings a sad smile to my face. “Well, I don’t know about that. I don’t look the same as I did a few months ago,” I say, my throat burning fiercely.

“What the hell are you talkin’ about?”

Releasing a pained breath, I tell her about the bruises still marking me, and how I felt after putting the swimsuit on.

“Olivia Bradshaw, you listen to me right now. You are strong, you are fierce, and you are beautiful. No amount of bruises will ever change that. Do not let this ruin something you want and deserve. Don’t let those bastards steal any more from you.” She pauses with a sigh. “Listen, I hate to bring this up, but, honey, Grayson has seen you at your worst and he still thinks you’re beautiful. The way that man looks at you. I’d kill for someone to look at me like that.”

I swallow thickly. “You’re right. I’m being ridiculous.”

“You’re damn right, I’m right!” she fires back, making me laugh. “Now pull yourself together, hold your head high, walk out there proud, and strut that sexy ass of yours.”

I smile, my heart so much lighter than it was moments ago. “Thanks, Tania, this was exactly what I needed to hear. I love you.”

“I love you too, girl, now go rock that man’s world, and don’t call me again unless it’s to give me all the juicy details.”

With a chuckle I promise to do exactly that, then say goodbye. Placing the phone back on the counter, I look at myself again in the mirror, this time with a different perspective. Taking my braid that’s laying over my chest to cover a bruise, I pull the elastic out, unweave it, and pile my hair on top of my head in a messy bun. Retrieving my perfume from my makeup bag I squirt two quick sprays before putting it back down and standing up straight.

“I am strong, I am fierce, and I am beautiful,” I whisper, repeating the words that Tania said. Then, with a deep breath, I make my way downstairs.

Holding on to my newfound courage, I open the door and walk out onto the patio, with my head held high and more confidence in my step than I actually feel. Grayson is waiting in the hot tub with his back to me but hears my approach.

“There you are. I thought…” He trails off when he turns around and sees me, his gaze roaming down the length of my body.

Even in the dim light I can see the fire in his eyes, warming me from the inside out. Easing a little more of my insecurities.

“Come here.” He stands, offering me his hand.

Heart lodged firmly in my throat, I walk over to him, my pulse racing in anticipation. Taking his hand, he helps me into the hot tub, pulling me over to straddle him. I have to bite back a moan when I feel how hard he is between my legs.

“Sorry it took me so long,” I whisper, lost in his intense gaze.

His hands move to my hips with a firm grip. “It was worth the wait.” I smile, though it’s a little strained. “Everything okay?” he asks.

“It is now.” He studies me carefully, waiting for me to explain. “I just had a moment of insecurity, and I didn’t want to come out.”

“Insecurity?”

I nod. “I bought this bathing suit a few months back with Tania. She kinda forced me into buying it.”

“I’m glad. It’s a nice fucking bathing suit, especially on you.”

Giggling softly, my heart warms with his compliment. “Thank you. I liked it when I tried it on, I felt good about myself.” My voice drops to a whisper. “However, I didn’t just now when I saw myself in the mirror.” Judging by the look on his face I can tell he doesn’t understand. “I hate the bruises because of the reminder they bring, but tonight they made me feel self-conscious. They made me feel…bad about myself.”

His gaze softens as he cups the side of my neck. “Jesus, you should never feel insecure. You’re fucking beautiful, Liv, bruises or not. Nothing in the world could ever change that.”

I watch him carefully, his sincerity tearing through my defenses. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

He rears back, the skin between his brows bunching together in deep valleys of confusion. “Of course I do. How could you not know that?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I guess it’s…” I pause for a moment before deciding to bare it all. “It’s hard for me to believe you still think I’m beautiful despite finding me the way you did.”

Understanding dawns and he quickly shakes his head. “No, not ever. That didn’t change the way I look at you. Yes, it fucking gutted me to see you that way, but not once did I think any less of you.” He pulls me closer while his determined gaze bores into mine. His jaw flexes, the rhythm of his chest growing heavier. “It should have never happened. Nothing so hateful should have ever touched something so beautiful. But make no mistake, Liv, when I look at you, I don’t see the girl I found that day, I see the girl who survived it all. You’re fucking beautiful, inside and out, nothing or no one will ever change that.”

My breath hitches as tears blur my eyes, his words healing my wounded soul. “You make me feel beautiful,” I choke out softly.

“Good, baby, because you are, every inch of you, and don’t ever fucking forget it.” He closes the small space between our mouths, his lips claiming mine in a heated caress as his tongue sweeps in. His flavor explodes in my mouth, flooding my senses.

So potent and male.

“Fuck, you are the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.” He trails his lips down my throat, his teeth scraping and tongue tasting.

Shivers of pleasure race through my body as something ignites inside of me, something strong and powerful. His hands slide to my bottom to bring me closer, and I grind down on his hard length, trying to alleviate the ache. I whimper, seeking the friction I so desperately crave.

His growl vibrates from deep within his chest. “You feel that, Liv? You feel how hard you make me? Every goddamn second I’m around you I’m like this. That’s how beautiful I think you are.”

He captures a hard nipple in his mouth, his teeth grazing the tight point through the thin fabric of my top. “Grayson, please.” My head falls back on a moan as pleasure races through my body.

“What, baby? You want me to touch you again? Want me to make you feel good?”

“Yes. I…I want more,” I tell him. “I want all of you.”

With a groan his head snaps up, his eyes fierce. “Time to go inside,” he says firmly, his voice thick with desire.

Laying my hand against his strong jaw, I nod. “Yeah. Time to go inside.”

After a brief, hard kiss we get out of the hot tub. Before I can finish drying off with a towel, Grayson sweeps me off my feet. With a startled squeal I wrap my arms around his neck and giggle as he rushes us into the house, closing and locking the door behind him. My laughter is cut off by another passionate kiss, his mouth hot and demanding.

He carries me effortlessly upstairs, his mouth never missing a beat as he lays me down on the bed and follows on top. His lips venture down my body as he reaches underneath me and pulls at the secured knot at my back, then neck. He wastes no time ridding me of the scrap of material, baring me to him from the waist up.

My nipples instantly strain for his touch. A deep groan rumbles from his mouth as he bends down and takes the aching tip into his hot, wet mouth. I cry out as pleasure explodes through every nerve ending in my body. His teeth grip my nipple, giving it a delicious tug I feel all the way to my core, before soothing the sting with his tongue. He does this back and forth, driving me wild with a need so deep I feel like I will explode from the want clawing inside of me. Right when I think I can’t take any more his mouth coasts down my stomach, heading to the spot I ache for him most.

“Scoot down, baby.” Grasping my hips with a possessive grip he pulls me down to the edge of the bed then gets on his knees between my legs. The sensual heat in his blue depths transform into something else as he stares down at me. I’m about to ask him what’s wrong when his fingers gently skim over the bruises I have on the inside of my thighs.