Page 32 of Pitiful Lies

I mean it so damn much.

The thought of her being anything other than whole, safe, and sound is too much for me to bear, so I don’t even go there.

“You’re fine. You’re safe,” I repeat against her soft, sweet smelling hair, “and you were right. You deserve a better man than the one I’ve been. But that’s on me. But I need you to understand something. I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. Not anymore. Not again. Got it?”

“What are you talking about?”

Giselle’s muffled voice reaches me, and I smile. I love the feel of her in my embrace as she sniffles against my chest.

“Exactly what I said. I know you have doubts, but I have every intention of blowing those right out of the water. I’m the man you need, the one you deserve, me and no one else. And I’m gonna prove it to you.”

I back up, and her arms slip away from me. Her nose is red, and her eyes are glassy. She looks sad and exhausted, but I don’t know if that is physical or emotional.

Her eyes are still glassy, and her nose is pink from crying, and my heart feels like it might break from the way she is looking at me. Like she’s scared to believe in me.

Goddamn.

I never wanted anyone to believe in me as much as I did her right then. But I am self-aware enough to know I need to earn that from her.

And I will. There is no other choice.

She is so beautiful. I can’t help myself. I dip my head and steal a kiss, loving the way she responds even when she doesn’t want to.

My Koukla leans her head back and opens her lips and I slide my tongue into her mouth twice before relenting.

Going home alone with a hard on isn’t ideal, but I get it. She needs time and space. And I’m gonna give her everything she needs.

Me. Only me.

“Now, get back in your seat, Little Doll, and buckle up. I’m taking you to your parents’ house.”

CHAPTER NINE-GISELLE

This is not how I imagined I would end up at my age. Sleeping on my mother’s couch.

FML.

After hours of tossing and turning, I finally pass out only to be woken up by a godawful racket.

“What the shit?”

Ugh. This is what’s wrong with health conscious people.

I grunt and get up from the sofa at the sound of the blender going nuts.

Grabbing my phone, I check the time.

It’s only five in the morning, and someone is about to get punched in the nose.

Angel dropped me off last night with a chaste kiss on the lips and nothing more, and I have to admit I felt more than a little confused.

The things he said about his intentions and stuff really threw me for a loop. I have no idea if I believe him.

But I want to. And that’s bad.

The second I allow myself to trust him, I know he’s going to break my heart. I’m just not built to deal with all that.

Cheating.

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