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.

from you." He says, making

humor has really improved lately. What is it

just draws circles on my back. Something he does when

other side and can see

something happen?" I

didn't want to tell you earlier because it would have ruined our wedding.

closer and capture his head between

me what the problem is so we can go

sighs, "When granny was dying, she asked me to find the people

I freeze.

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

she asked you to

"To find who was behind

hard that I can feel it behind

years surfaces like it never left.

whisper. "Did

He shakes his head,

"Not yet."

tighten like it physically pains him to say

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

everything quietly. Luca's

of my eyes, not out of sadness

flood incident was just a cover-up. But didn't

anyone can find those

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

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

chest aches, but in the best way. I wrap my arms

tight, the water sloshing softly around

I say quietly, "I want to know.

nods, pressing his

know everything. I

of the jacuzzi, wrapping a

something comforting and intimate about letting him care for me like this. It makes me feel loved

bedroom, I pull on one of his crisp white dress shirts,

addictive M

shoulders, still dripping slightly down my back. I

pair of black sweatpants, low on his hips, and

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

how does he always look

my bottom lip before I can stop myself, my gaze lingering just

on the V-line disappearing beneath his

He catches it.

says, stepping toward me