Page 68 of Desperate Needs

Somehow in three days’ time I’d fallen for this man.

I was in love with Connor Callahan, and that single action was the biggest, worst mistake I could have made.

Chapter 28-Connor

The shower should have calmed something inside of me.

Hell, fucking her like an animal in the dining room should have done that.

But neither sated me. I was a fucking monster.

Stalker.

Liar.

Possessive piece of shit.

This woman was mine, but before I told her that, I needed some answers.

She shivered, so I stopped by my dresser and pulled one of my clean undershirts over her head.

Then I walked to the bed, pulling her with me. I nudged her so she would climb inside and without me asking her to, she moved over to give me space.

Good girl.

Clementine was so quiet. I never saw her like this, and it struck a chord deep inside of me.

She turned on her side, facing me, and tucking her hands beneath her cheek like a child might do to sleep.

I mimicked her pose, staring into those twin emerald pools, wondering if I’d drown in them. It was time to talk.

“Who’s Andrew?” I whispered, hating how pathetic I sounded.

She inhaled slowly, and I watched an emotion, sadness, flit across her face.

“Andrew was a friend in high school,” she said softly.

“A friend?”

“Yes. But first I want to tell you about my mom.”

“Your mom?”

“So you’ll understand,” she said.

I nodded, not comprehending the connection. But if Clementine was willing to talk, I was sure going to listen. Curiosity about this beautiful creature burned inside of me like an undying light.

“My mom is amazing. She met my Pop when she was a teenager, but something happened, and she ran from him and her stepfather. While they were separated, she started working for a shelter for people who needed help. She has people running it for her now, but she is still involved.”

“Mm. She is a good woman.”

“The best. And Pop is crazy about her. When I was a kid, she got sick. Cervical cancer,” she whispered.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, just letting her talk.

“It was rough for a little while and I was scared, we all were. But seeing them, watching their love get stronger was really a privilege.”

I’d never experienced or witnessed that in my own life. Trying to imagine how young Clementine felt was difficult, but I tried.

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