Page 69 of Whispers of Fire

Not leaving her alone as in right now, or in this messed up marriage situation?

Taking a deep breath, I rest my forehead with hers. “Never, Angel, never.”

“I…” her breath quickens, “…need,” I want to stop her from hurtin’ herself for me but I pull back when I notice the determination in her gaze. She wants me to hear this.

“…you.”

I need you.

Me too, Angel, me too.

“I'm right here with ya.” Lacing my fingers with hers, I stroke her hand with my thumb.

“Stay tonight. Can stand knowin’ my girl isn’t with me at night.” A glint of surprise flashes through her eyes before she nods, a lush shade of pink spreading on her cheeks. Taking her hand in mine, I motion for her to follow me upstairs.

Have I put the heating system on? It’s fuckin’ hot all of the sudden.

Her tiny hand squeezes mine, her breath quickening as we arrive in front of my bedroom. There’s somethin’ new floatin’ in the air, a tension we didn’t share before.

Leading her into the room, she let go of my hand and walks to the standing mirror in the corner of the room. I stay back, drinkin’ in every single inch of her. Taking her hand behind her neck, she detangles her thick blonde hair with her fingers.

Damn, what wouldn’t I do to do that myself.

Her hair cascades over her shoulders, framin’ her petite features in the dim orange light. I know she’s steppin’ out of her comfort zone, showin’ me her natural hair, and I fuckin’ love watchin’ her break the rules. I can’t help but beam with pride cause she’s choosin’ me to witness it. I remove the bedcover and gesture for her to go in it.

“Get in.” She follows my command and slides under the covers, right on her side, as if she knew exactly where she had to go.

Wonder how were gonna do this without makin’ her uncomfortable. Never had to do this before. But Rose isn’t like anyone else, and I’d fuckin’ hate myself if she thought I wanted to take advantage of her.

She’s already in her nightgown, so that’s settled, no need for her to undress. Kind of wished she had to, but we gotta walk before we run.

As I remove my pants and exchange them for black cotton shorts, I notice her watchin’ me intently from under the covers.

Gettin’ bold, Angel?

Despite the tension crackling between us, I shove it away, cause that’s not what she needs from me right now. I want to comfort her, show her she can rely on me. But as I unbutton my shirt, revealin’ the inked designs etched into my skin, I can't ignore her blue pools burnin’ my flesh.

Fuck, I ain’t no saint. How am I gonna do this without punchin’ the wall?

I fuckin’ love how her eyes widen at the sight of my tattoos and the contours of my abs. Tracing each skull, gun and flames with an intensity I didn’t know she had in her.

Somethin’ wild in her eyes, somethin’ far from the innocent angel I’m used to.

Her gaze stops above my heart, liftin’ a brow at the sight of the names of my parents and my brother.

“My family,” I answer her silent question, “I used to have one.” Pointing at Jamie’s name marked in my skin, I continue trying to prevent my voice from cracking.

“My little brother, he was seven, you’d have liked him.” I clench my jaw.

It’s been a while since I talked about them.

Too fuckin’ long .

“They were killed in a car crash, the three of them,” I say, ignoring my voice breakin’ cause that’s the reason I never talk about the past. Cause it still fuckin’ hurt like a fresh cut. She’s watchin’ me, fully focused as if nothin’ in the whole world could distract her. It feels fuckin’ raw to tell her about it. Raising her hand to me, she curls her finger, tellin’ me to come closer. I don’t even bother putin’ on a shirt and I think she prefers it this way too.

It’s bout’ time we stop actin’ like this isn’t fuckin’ real.

I get in bed next to her, spooning her body like a freakin’ old married couple after years of life together. Cause it just makes sense. She just makes everythin’ better.

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