Page 109 of Before I Loved You

“Do you…do you think I can do it?” she nervously asks.

“I do. And I think if that’s what you want to do, then go for it. Listen to your heart.” I press my hand against her chest, over her heart. “And do what makes you happy. Do whatever it is that brings the light back into your eyes.”

She smiles, grinning from ear to ear. “Okay. I’m going to do it. Or at least try to.”

“That’s my girl!” I encourage.

She chuckles and then yawns, her eyes drooping. This has been one long hell of a day for the both of us, and I think it’s time to bring it to an end.

“Let’s get to bed, baby girl.”

Without waiting for a response, I lift her in my arms and carry her to her room, or, I guess, our room now. Laying her down, I reach for the blankets and bring them up to her chest before I get in beside her, pulling her small body right up against me.

I think she’s fallen asleep until I hear her soft voice.

“Paul?”

“Yeah?”

“Did you mean it when you said the night you met me was the best night of your life?”

I smile, kissing the top of her head. “I did.” My hand brushes down her back as she curls into me. “Go to sleep, Sarah. You’re safe now. I will never let anyone hurt you again.”

Gazing down at the woman in my arms who stole my heart, I think about how one night completely changed my life in more ways than I can ever thank her for.

The night that I will always remember as the best night of my life.

SARAH’S 21ST BIRTHDAY

Goddamn, those eyes.

Those beautiful, vibrant green eyes.

I can’t stop gazing into them. They’re the most brilliant shade of green I’ve ever seen. Big too. Making her appear like a damn Disney Princess.

She has me hypnotized to the point where I can’t even remember why I came here tonight.

Oh, that’s right, because Glen dragged my ass here with some of the guys from the team.

Guess I’ll have to thank him later.

My eyes travel down her body where my hand rests on her hip. She leans into me, her hand relaxing against my chest, her long, black nails curling into my shirt.

“Make me forget,” she whispers, her eyes pleading with me to take her away from here.

She’s itching to get out of here.

And so am I.

“Your place or mine?” I ask, bending down to brush my lips across the shell of her ear.

She peeks up at me under those thick lashes. “Neither.”

My brows furrow. “Then where would you like to go, birthday girl?”

She glances around, her breathing increasing.

“Hey.” I cup her cheek, my thumb gliding against her soft skin. “If you’ve changed your mind, it’s not a big deal. We can sit here and—”

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