Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 68040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” He lets his fingertips drag down my cheek, and it just feels so damn good, I can’t help but lean in to his touch. “And neither did I.”
I pause because I want to argue. I still think he should have listened to me that day.
But arguing won’t change anything.
And for the first time in almost three years, I feel at peace.
“I think I need a nap.” I let my eyes drift closed. “Between the fender bender and the crying jag, I’m really tired.”
“We need to discuss your definition of a fender bender. But yeah, you nap.” He settles me against him and kisses the top of my head. “And I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
Chapter Six
Xander
Lorelei’s breathing has evened out, and I feel the tension has finally left her body as I cradle her in my lap. Yet even in sleep, she clings to me as if seeking protection.
It’s been years since I sat with her like this, since she let her guard down with me at all, let alone enough to trust me to keep her safe when she’s vulnerable like this. I would do this for a year if I could. Why can’t time be extended for something like this rather than when I’m standing in my stupid bathroom, banishing the son of a bitch who’s trying to kill us?
Because it wanted to keep me away from her.
She’ll put up a fight, but I won’t spend a night away from her again until all of this is resolved.
Hell, if I have my way, I won’t spend another night away from her period.
Because she’s mine, in every sense of the word, and she always has been. We’re fated, but more than that, I’m so fucking in love with her I can’t see straight. I love the way she isn’t afraid to try new things. Her bluntness can be a little much for some, but I like that I never have to guess how she’s feeling. She doesn’t cover up the way she feels with a fake smile, and I appreciate that.
I love how much she adores her family and how fiercely protective she is of them.
But, at the heart of it, is the soul-deep connection I’ve always felt with her. I’m a few years older, but I’ve known Lorelei all her life. Once we both crossed over into puberty, I knew without a doubt that we were fated. There will never be anyone else for me.
As I told her earlier, I know I made the biggest mistake of my life, but damn it, I will make it up to her, and we’ll resolve our past and heal together so we can move forward with our lives.
I just have to talk her into it.
With a gusty breath, I tip my head back and close my eyes. I feel like I’ve been hit by a metaphorical bus. Hearing Lorelei tell her family the story of what happened, and reliving all those emotions, felt like taking punches from someone much stronger than me. I think about our baby—and Lorelei—every single day of my life, wondering what our lives would be like now if we hadn’t lost our child. I don’t let myself dwell there, but I do think of it.
And, goddess, how I miss Lorelei. Whether she’s in California or here in this cottage, it doesn’t matter. She’s part of me, and she was just…gone.
For the first time since the day she walked out on me, I feel some hope taking root, and I’m going to make sure those roots grow.
The wind outside is frantic. Was there supposed to be a storm blowing in? I make a habit of watching the weather constantly, all through the day, because it can change on a dime, and my livelihood depends on calmer seas.
I hadn’t heard anything about this storm.
A tree branch knocks against the window behind the chair where I’m holding Lorelei. I can hear the rain tapping against the shingles on the roof above.
Storms like these usually move in and out fairly quickly, and as long as I’m on shore, I like to listen to them.
Add in the fact that I have Lorelei here on my lap, and it makes listening to the storm all the better.
Lorelei shifts to get more comfortable, and I pat her back soothingly.
“Don’t want to lose it,” she mutters in her sleep, rubbing her hands over her round belly. I lay one of mine over hers, feeling the baby move, healthy and strong inside her. Goddess, I adore them so much. It’s shocking that my heart doesn’t burst right out of me.
“Everything’s fine,” I assure her softly before gently kissing her head. “The doctor said the baby is healthy. There’s nothing to worry about, my love.”
Pleased that Lorelei seems to have drifted back to sleep, I rock in the chair and listen to the storm. Suddenly, the wind blows the front door open, slamming it violently against the wall, and lightning streaks across the sky like creepy little fingers. All of a sudden, I can hear a baby crying from the back bedroom.