Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

The scent of roses is the first thing I notice.

Then soft, warm kisses, featherlight on my shoulder, my cheek, and my collarbone.

I stir with a sleepy sigh, the ache between my thighs, a hazy reminder of how thoroughly my husband ruined me last night.

My lashes flutter open, and the first thing I see is Alex. Shirtless with his hair slightly damp, his green eyes burning into mine like he never stopped watching me, not even for a second.

"Good morning, my beautiful wife," he murmurs against my skin, pressing another kiss to my jaw. "I figured flowers and kisses were a good way to wake you."

I glance toward the nightstand, and sure enough, a stunning bouquet of deep red roses sits in a crystal vase.

"Are you trying to spoil me?" I ask, my voice still thick with sleep.

"Always,” he replies, brushing my hair from my face. "But right now, I'm here to take care of you."

He sits up, pulling the sheets down gently. I shift, wincing a little at the soreness between my legs.

Alex notices immediately.

"Too much?" he asks, his voice low and full of concern.

I give him a lazy smile. "Worth every second."

A dark smirk touches his lips, but he doesn't push. Instead, he leans down and kisses my forehead, then stands and offers his hand.

"Come with me."

I let him help me out of bed, his hands firm and steady as I find my footing. My legs still tremble slightly, and he notices that too, scooping me into his arms without another word.

"Alex-"

"No walking. You've earned the right to be carried," he says simply, carrying me through the villa.

He takes me out onto the private terrace, where steam rises from a sunken jacuzzi overlooking the ocean. The air smells like salt and flowers.

He steps in with me in his arms, easing us both into the warm, bubbling water. The heat instantly soothes my body, the ache slowly dulling as I melt into his chest.

“Better?” he murmurs, his hands already working slow circles along my back and thighs.

"Mmm... so much better," I sigh, resting my head on his shoulder.

We sit like that in silence for a while, the ocean stretching out before us, the sun rising higher in the sky, and the only sound is the gentle ripple of water and his heartbeat under my ear.

He presses a kiss to the crown of my head.

I've been keeping from you." He says, making

really improved lately.

He just draws circles on my back.

I'm on the other

happen?"

mine, and he hesitates. "I didn't want to tell you earlier because it would have ruined our wedding. It was selfish, I

closer and capture his head

what the problem is so we can go back to enjoying

"When granny was dying, she asked me

I freeze.

of the water fades beneath the sudden chill crawling up my spine. My breath catches in my throat as I stare at him, my fingers still cradling his

she asked you to what?" My voice shakes

leave mine. "To find who was behind it. Your

hard that I can feel it behind

years surfaces like it never

"Did

He shakes his head,

"Not yet."

it physically pains him to say

to you, but I also didn't want to give you false hope. I've

everything quietly. Luca's been

out of sadness but from the overwhelming wave of emotion surging through

that the flood incident was just a cover-up. But didn't have enough power. Not knowing Alex has been

those answers,

whisper, pressing my forehead to his. "You didn't have to do

did," he says softly. "You're my

the best way. I wrap my arms around

tight, the water sloshing softly

"I want

his

know everything.

finally helps me out of the jacuzzi, wrapping

but there's something comforting and intimate about letting him care for me like this. It makes me feel loved in

in the bedroom, I pull on one of his crisp white dress shirts, the hem falling just above my thighs. The

addictive

down my back. I

tosses on a pair of black sweatpants,

sculpted torso, the band of his Calvin Clein boxers peeking out is enough to make my mouth

does he always

I can stop myself, my gaze lingering just a second

the V-line

He catches it.

he says, stepping toward me with that