Page 70 of His Wild Attraction

“Yes, I do. Because it’s the truth. Now, listen to me, Gary is a piece of shit. He never deserved you. But I do, Angel. I will always treat you right. And if I don’t, just tell me, trust me, and I will turn it around. I fucking swear it.”

“I know. And I trust you.”

“Good. You also need to know you never have to apologize to me for anything.”

“Andres, that’s not?—”

“Yes, it is. And fuck him for making you feel bad for existing. That piece of shit,” I growled, having to close my eyes to control my temper.

Her mouth opened, and I knew she needed to hear this as much as I needed to say it.

“Listen to me, Ellie Ramirez, the fact that you're alive and you’re human, that you’re you, that’s why I was fucking born. No, don’t look away, look at me,” I said, cupping one hand behind her neck.

“I-I,” she stuttered, and I knew what she meant cause I fucking felt it, too.

She might not be ready for this.

I might be moving too fast.

But I need her to know.

“You're not responsible for his failures, or for mine. You never were, and you never will be. I made a vow to you, Ellie, my wife, and I will do better. I fucking promise. You believe me?”

“Andres, you don’t have to do better,” she said, shaking her head.

This woman.

This beautiful, warm, vibrant, powerful woman.

She holds the key to my heart in her small, capable hands, and she doesn’t even know it.

This woman, my Ellie, is everything.

“Nonnegotiable. I’ll do better. I’ll be better because it’s what you deserve,” I said, my gaze unwavering as I stared into her gold-flecked irises.

“You’ve done so much. Everything you promised. You don’t have to do anything else,” she said, but I shook my head.

“I’m not even close to finished,” I growled, dropping a hard kiss on her mouth.

“Mommy! I’m hungry! HUNGRYYYYY!” Sammy called again, and I pulled back just as he ran into the kitchen, roaring like a pint-sized monster.

My grin was real as I watched him close his mouth then slow down when he saw us. Careful to keep still, allowing him to see my arms around his mother in a gentle hug.

It was important he understood I would never hurt her. Sammy needed security and routine.

I’d been reading about childcare and how abusive situations could have lasting effects on a child’s psyche.

It filled me with murderous rage when I thought of any harm that prick Gary’s actions could have on Sammy’s precious little head.

Biting back on my thirst for revenge, I focused on what I could do to make it better.

No, I could not erase the past, but I could make sure he had a good future.

That we all had a good future.

And that started right here, with Ellie in my arms and our son running inside the kitchen, seeing us hugging, asking about dinner because he had no other cares in the world.

Sammy needed to know that love and affection could exist between two consenting adults. That his mother was in good hands, and so was he.

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