Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
I never got to experience him in everyday life, and it’s honestly overwhelming to feel the strength in his arms. To smell his woodsy aftershave. To feel the muscle in his body.
“I fucking lost my mind. I couldn’t live without you,” he admits, his voice deeper than I remember.
It’s like it’s Alek, but it’s also not Alek.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I had to think of our unborn son. I was scared. As soon as I could, I left the hospital and came home.”
“I can’t believe you’re alive,” he says, his voice hoarse with emotion. “If this is a dream, I never want to wake up.”
“It’s real.” My voice cracks, and finally able to express the heartache I suffered, I cry, “It was so hard w-without you. If it weren’t f-for Vincent, I’m not s-sure I would’ve s-survived.”
“Christ, Everleigh,” he groans. “I’m so fucking glad you survived.”
We hold each other for the longest moment before Alek pushes me back. His golden-brown eyes lock with mine, and I feel the intensity of his stare in my soul.
“Four fucking years,” he murmurs. He lifts a hand to my face, his palm cupping my cheek. “I’m struggling to believe you’re really here.”
I place my hand over his and give him a trembling smile. “I’m here.”
Before I know what’s happening, Alek’s body slams into me, and his mouth crashes against mine. He wraps his free arm around my back and keeps me locked to his body.
I’m so overwhelmed as he kisses the ever-loving crap out of me, I can’t even breathe.
His tongue lashes at mine, his teeth nip at my bottom lip, and he consumes me with a wild passion I’ve never before experienced.
Holy shit. He’s a hell of a lot more intense than I remember.
Chapter 29
Alek
I can’t explain how I’m feeling.
I get to hold her again.
I get to taste her.
She’s alive.
I kiss Everleigh with every ounce of insanity I felt the past four years. I give her my broken heart and shattered soul, and she makes them whole.
I can’t stop myself from pushing for more. Now that I have her back, there’s no controlling my need to make us one.
Everleigh lifts her hands to my chest and starts to push against me. “Wait,” she mumbles against my mouth. “Alek.” She pushes harder and manages to turn her face away from me. “Wait!”
Out of breath and overwhelmed with emotions, I grip her tighter so she can’t pull free from my hold.
I’m never letting her go again.
Never.
“Wait,” she gasps. Her eyes meet mine, and she keeps her hands braced on my chest in an attempt to stop me from kissing her again.
It takes a couple of seconds before I see the nervous expression on her face.
“I need a moment,” she says, trying to pull away from me. When I don’t free her, she gives me a pleading look. “Please, Alek. Just give me a minute to think.”
It takes more strength than I have to let go of her, but the second she steps away from me, my hand shoots out, and I grab hold of her bicep.
I have to touch her. I’m terrified if I let go of her, she’ll vanish.
She grips my wrist and tries to pull free again. “You’re hurting me.”
Reluctantly, I let go of her again, but my eyes stay glued to her.
She rubs the skin where there’s an imprint of my hand, and instantly I feel bad.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “It’s hard not to touch you.” My gaze drifts over her beautiful features. “Don’t disappear. Okay?”
She nods, her eyes watching me with caution on her face. “Okay. Let’s just take a moment to calm down and gather our thoughts.” Her tongue darts out to wet her lips, and the sight makes me want to kiss her again.
Letting out a relieved breath, I whisper, “It’s so good to see you.”
A shy-ish smile curves her mouth. “You’ve changed.” Her eyes lower to my chest before darting back to my face. “You’re taller and not as scrawny as I remember.”
“Food makes a hell of a difference,” I chuckle drily.
“Yeah, it does.” Her gaze drifts over my body again. “You look good, though.”
The urge to touch her overwhelms me, and I lift a hand to her cheek. Brushing my knuckles over her soft, warm skin, I say, “You’re more beautiful than I remember.”
We stare at each other for an intense moment, and when I take a step closer to her, she moves backward.
Her voice is still filled with caution as she says, “We have a lot to talk about, Alek.” Something akin to compassion fills her eyes. “It’s been four years.”
Four fucking hard years.
The last of the shock wears off, and my mind clears.
For four years, I lived in perpetual hell without her, but maybe it wasn’t the same for her.