Page 120 of Loud Unspoken Memories

“I can handle it.”

“How do you know?” She looks up. “What’s changed?”

I snort and say the only word that can sum it up. “Everything.”

“Aren’t you scared?”

“Terrified. But the best things in life are worth fighting for, right?”

“Absolutely.” She plants a kiss on my cheek then glances around the bedroom. “I slept in here the night of Lucas’s party.”

“I know.”

“Your mom told you?”

“I smelled you.” I lean close to her hair and inhale. “Vanilla. Always vanilla.”

“I can’t sleep in here tonight, Dallas. I want to, but Charlie might be afraid if he wakes up in a strange place and I’m not there.”

“What room is he in?”

She nods to the bathroom. “He’s next door.”

“Well, then, you’ll have to make sure you don’t scream my name too loud when I make you come at least two more times before I let you leave.”

She smiles. “Promise you’ll never stop trying to make me scream.”

I laugh. “Sweetheart, that’ll be the easiest promise I’ve ever had to keep.”

Chapter Forty-six

Martina

I awaken Christmas morning, happy to be sore in all the right places.

Rolling over, I watch Charlie sleep. He’s too young to wake up early just because it’s Christmas, but it won’t be long, I’m sure.

I glance at the bathroom door that separates us from Dallas. Everything he said last night was everything I wanted to hear. But actions speak louder than words. He’s never spent more than a few hours with Charlie. What if he was just caught up in the moment when he said what he said?

He said he loved me. I said I’d move here. Hell, I all but agreed to marry him.

I squeeze my eyes tightly shut, praying what he said will hold true.

When I hear distant voices, I put my mouth to Charlie’s ear. “Wake up, buddy. It’s Christmas.”

It takes a moment for him to orient to where we are. When he fully wakes, he squeals, “Pwesents?”

“Yeah, buddy. Presents. But be patient, okay? We’re guests here. We have to do things according to how they do them. They might want to eat breakfast first. I know you want to open your presents, and you will. You just might have to wait a little bit. Can you do that for me?”

He nods.

I kiss the top of his messy hair. “Okay. Bathroom first.”

I glance down at my pajamas, unsure of what to do. Back home, we never bother getting ready. We’ll wear whatever weslept in until every last present gets opened. What if they dress up? Or what if I do and they all come out in their robes?

There’s a soft knock on the door. “Come in.”

Dallas peeks inside. “Is the coast clear?”

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