"You'll always be everything, Luce." He smiles at me. "I just hope I can be everything for you, too."

Tears trickle down my cheeks as I nod fervently.

He brings the rough pads of his fingers to my calves, trailing soft touches all over my skin until he reaches the bleeding wounds caused by the broken glass. He carefully plucks all the residual glass from my flesh before swooping me up in his arms. I don't question what he's doing or where he's taking me. I simply wrap my arms around his neck, burying my face in the crook of his shoulder and breathing in his familiar scent. My breathing evens out as my sobs subside. But as the fog over my mind starts to clear, embarrassment and regret fill me to the brim.

I tighten my grip on Nikki, wondering how I'm going to face him after my outburst. God... I've put him through hell, haven't I? I've made him suffer without even realizing it, and still, he's stayed by my side.

Nikki takes me to the adjacent bathroom and lays me in the bathtub. He turns the water on, making sure the temperature is perfect before he redirects his attention to me.

"Don't." He stops my hand when I try to cover myself. "You wanted me to see. So let me see," he murmurs, bringing the shower head to my skin and washing the blood away.

His hand follows the jet of water as he touches me softly. First my shoulders, then going lower, tracing the contour of my ribcage before reaching my belly.

"It's okay." I give him permission as he proceeds lower.

"You're so beautiful, Luce," he speaks huskily, his eyes hooded as he regards me with love and...lust. There's no disgust. No aversion. There's only a reverent love that warms my insides.

"I'm sorry," I say as I reach to touch him. "I love you, Nikki. I truly didn't mean it like that. I was just... I let my weakness get the best of me. I never meant to hurt you."

He covers my hand with his, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply.

"I know you didn't, Luce. I know." He gives me a sad smile.

I blink away tears as I look at him. I hurt him. I hurt him, but he won't admit it.

"Come in." I pull lightly on his hand, urging him to join me.

His eyes scan my features, perhaps to ensure that I mean it, or that I'm ready for it.

"Please, come in," I repeat.

He swallows hard, his gaze dipping lower to my body.

"Luce... I'm not made of stone," he admits in a thick voice.

"Please."