Page 28 of Saving Shepperd

“I mean for everything. For letting me stay, for being so sweet.” I shrugged. “For everything,” I repeated. Tears began again as I formulated an admission I never thought I’d utter aloud. “I don’t have anyone to turn to. Anyone who cares.” I dabbed my runny nose and couldn’t meet his gaze.

With a thick index finger beneath my chin, he lifted my face to have direct eye contact. “You have me now.”

ChapterEight

Law

I was no expert on family dynamics. Not by a long shot. And I’d barely had any personal relationships in my own life that lasted longer than a month. I had no experience to draw from regarding navigating this situation. So I let my gut take the wheel with Shepperd and knew there was no way she’d be leaving. At least tonight. We could reassess the situation in the morning when her emotions weren’t so raw and come up with a gameplan that worked for us both.

I didn’t like seeing her so upset that her entire frame shook while I held her. When I finally made enough sense of the little bits of information she was giving me, my offer remained as genuine as when I initially made it.

“Have you had dinner?” I asked, then quickly added, “I was thinking of ordering something right before you got here.”

She gave her head the slightest shake. I would’ve missed it if I hadn’t been watching her so intently. She looked so fragile sitting on my overstuffed couch, I wanted to just scoop her up in my arms and cradle her there for the rest of the night.

“I’m not really hungry,” she finally answered. “But please, eat, if you are.”

Mentally, I was compiling a list of bad habits I wanted to help her break, starting with her nutrition. But since that was also a hot-button issue with her and she’d already had enough people turn on her today, I said nothing. Whatever I ended up ordering or making for myself, I’d ensure there was enough for the two of us, and she could change her mind without feeling guilty.

“Do you like Chinese?”

“Yeah, it’s not bad. I’m really not hungry, though,” she said again.

“I know, but in case you change your mind,” I said with a wink in hope of keeping the conversation light. Pulling out my phone, I made quick work of placing an order on the take-out app I used and put my phone on the coffee table when I finished.

I walked over to where she was curled up on the sofa, and I towered above her. I wanted to bend down and lift her into my arms but didn’t have that level of comfort yet.

“Can I sit with you?” I asked hopefully.

She nodded and smiled. “I’d like that,” she murmured in a tone low and sultry.

My dick perked up immediately. The woman had a spell cast on me, no doubt. I couldn’t remember another girl who had that type of influence over my body.

After I got comfortable, I pulled her against my chest and wrapped my arms around her. She was so small and fragile yet so brave and mighty at the same time. With my nose pressed to her hair, I inhaled her fragrance and just let the scent move through all my senses.

“You know, as weird as it may sound, this is a perfect night to me.”

“Getting Chinese takeout?” she asked while running her fingernails up and down my forearms.

“No, although good food is definitely an added bonus. I meant just spending a quiet night in, enjoying holding you in my arms. I could do this every day.”

Shepperd just hummed in response, and I felt her body relax into my embrace a little more. Eventually she said, “I had you pegged all wrong.”

“How so?”

“I thought you were more of a social butterfly. Or party animal, even.”

“I’ve had plenty of time in both of those camps. Lately I just want to be here doing my own thing.”

When Shep tried to sit up and break our moment, I held on tighter.

“What’s wrong? Where are you going?” I rushed out.

“I feel bad. Like I’m totally intruding on your private time. It was selfish and inconsiderate of me to just show up on your doorstep and think you’d drop whatever it was you were doing to help me nurse my wounds.”

I tugged her closer and crossed my arms over her chest. “You’re misunderstanding,” I said and waited for her to turn her face and make eye contact. I wanted to be sure she heard my next words clearly. “Your being here is what makes this perfect, darling.”

She was speechless after that declaration, but a slow smile crossed her sexy lips.

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