She nodded slowly, even as uncertainty filled her. The only person who’d ever helped her in bed after she’d finished with rehab was her mother. Other than that, she did everything herself.
“Will you give me directions?”
She heard the same uncertainty in his voice, but knew his came from being afraid of hurting her. “You won’t hurt me, Bert. It’s just like when I’d transfer to the sofa and sit next to you. But I’ll scoot back, and you can guide my legs to follow so that I’m sitting up in bed.”
They worked quickly and easily together. She used her strong arms to shift her torso back to the headrest. She watched his hands on her legs and wished she could have felt them fully. The only sensation she felt was a slight tickling as though a feather was gliding over her thighs.
Once in place, he secured the cabin, turned out the lights except the ones on the nightstands, and climbed into bed next to her. With their backs to the pillows piled up behind them, he pulled his laptop onto his lap. There was nothing new from Sadie, so he closed his tablet and set it onto the nightstand.
Mary placed her hands in her lap and twisted slightly so her gaze could roam over his face. He was so beautiful… the quiet man who knew what to say to her. The strong man who knew how to be gentle. The introvert who stood up for her, not wanting her to remain in the shadows. “Bert, about what I said earlier. About my concerns.”
“You don’t have to explain?—”
“I want to.” Mary’s expression was earnest. “I need you to know that I meant what I said. I love you. I want to be with you. I’m just... scared of disappointing you.”
Bert reached out and cupped her face, his thumb stroking her cheekbone. “Mary, you could never disappoint me. Whatever happens between us, however our physical relationship develops, we’ll figure it out together. With no judgment, no pressure, no expectations except honesty and care for each other.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because I mean it.” Bert leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers. “I love you. All of you. Whatever that looks like, however we discover what works for us, that’s what I want. Not some theoretical perfect version, but you. Exactly as you are.”
Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “How did I get so lucky to find you?”
“I’m the lucky one. You make me better. Make me braver. Make me want to be the kind of person who deserves you.”
“You already are that person.”
They kissed, slow and sweet and full of promise. When they finally settled down to sleep, Bert curled into her side like he belonged there, his arm wrapped protectively around her.
“Bert?” Mary’s voice was sleepy, already fading toward dreams.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for fighting for us. For not being scared away by complications.”
“There’s nothing to be scared of,” Bert said, meaning it. “You’re worth fighting for, Mary. Worth everything.”
Her only response was a soft sigh as she drifted off to sleep.
Mary woke slowly, awareness creeping in through layers of sleep. The ship rocked gently beneath them, morning light filtered softly through the curtains, and Bert’s arm was wrapped around her waist, his chest warm against her side again, their bodies fitted together like they’d been sleeping this way for years instead of just days.
Neither of them moved. Mary held perfectly still, afraid that shifting would break the spell and remind Bert that they were supposed to be taking things slow and careful. But she didn’t want slow right now. She wanted the weight of his arm across her body, the steady rhythm of his breathing against her neck, and the solid presence of him surrounding her.
“You’re awake,” Bert murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
“So are you.”
“Have been for a while.” His arm tightened slightly, pulling her closer. “Didn’t want to move and wake you.”
Mary turned her head until she faced him. In the dim morning light, Bert’s face was soft with sleep, his hair mussed, his blue eyes dark and warm as they met hers.
“Hi,” she said, feeling suddenly shy despite everything they’d admitted to each other.
“Hi yourself.” Bert’s hand came up to cup her face, his thumb tracing her cheekbone. “Sleep well?”
“Better than I have in years.”
“Me too.”