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."

of humor has really improved lately.

he doesn't respond. He just draws circles on my

so I'm on the other side and can see

something happen?" I

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

capture his head between

I trust you. Just tell me what the problem

granny was dying, she asked me

I freeze.

beneath the sudden chill crawling up my spine. My breath

she asked you to what?"

never leave mine. "To find who

thuds so hard that I can

deep for years surfaces like it never left.

I whisper. "Did you find

He shakes his head,

"Not yet."

like it physically pains him to

to lie to you, but I also didn't

quietly. Luca's

the corners of my eyes, not out of sadness but from the overwhelming wave

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

can find those answers, it's

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

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

best way. I wrap my arms around his neck

water sloshing softly around

you find..." I say quietly, "I want to

his

know everything. I

the jacuzzi, wrapping a thick towel around

my feet, but there's something comforting and intimate about letting him care for

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

and addictive

down my

of black sweatpants, low on his

sculpted torso, the band of his Calvin Clein boxers peeking

how does he always

I can stop

on the V-line

He catches it.

says, stepping toward me with