Page 134 of The Dark Obsession

No one upsets my girl, least of all me. But sooner or later it had to be done.

What didn’t cross my mind was that she’d immediately conclude that I’m her brother as well.

I mean having an incestuous relationship wouldn’t have stopped me but I understand that her moral compass is more attuned to the norms of what society deems as right or wrong.

Another thing I didn’t even dream to hope for was that Malory would forgive me so soon after her break down on the porch.

Seeing the agony engraved in her beautifully delicate face, I thought I lost her for good.

And my heart broke.

After we stripped out of our wet clothes and I properly showed her just how much I love her in the shower, we went downstairs to enjoy a cozy night by the fire.

Everything falling into place as we went back to our version of normal. If not even better now that there’s nothing left unsaid between us anymore.

Malory hasn’t mentioned her father at all and I don’t know what to make of it. Instead, she has started asking questions about our brothers.

It’s probably for the best because I don’t want to discuss her piece of shit father either, but I know seeing him and her whole childhood in a new light is weighing heavy on her.

I stupidly promised that I wouldn’t kill the bastard but even my restraint has its limits.

Though I know better than to ask whether she changed her mind about that.

As for our brothers, I readily answered everything I could. Because as much as I hate sharing Malory’s attention with anyone, she admittedly does have a right to know.

Besides me, they are the only one’s she can trust.

They’ll protect her, do anything to ensure her safety in case something were to happen to me.

She’d be taken care of and that’s all that matters.

For her to have everything she ever wanted and then some.

Making my way towards my girl, Nero lifts his head at my approach but drops it just as fast, going back to sleep at her feet.

I can feel the exact moment when she senses that I’m right behind her.

Bracing my arms on both sides of her tiny frame, I cage her in against the counter as she tilts her head up, allowing me to place a kiss to her forehead from above.

“Your back must be hurting, little one.” I mumble against her skin.

She’s been wholly immersed in her drawings all morning, hunched over her work for hours on end. Her passion taking over.

So, I start kneading the tight muscles on her shoulders, working out the knots.

A soft groan escaping her parted lips as she leans further into my touch.

That’s it.

Nuzzling the nape of her neck, I inhale her sweet, vanilla scent while my hands work their way down her spine.

“I missed you.” Her voice is gentle, her words wrapping around my heart like a vice.

I don’t remember feelings being this intense before I suppressed them into nothingness. Sometimes I think they’re coming back with a vengeance.

“I was mapping out an extension for the greenhouse. Soon, you’ll have more space for your plants.” I say into the crook of her neck, my lips ghosting her sensitive skin.

“And I always miss you when I’m not near you, not touching you, baby girl.” I kiss my way down her shoulders, running myhands over the bare skin on her stomach as they slip under her tank top.

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