Page 51 of Second Draft

In some distant place, I hear Carter’s own cry of release, feel his body contract and explode within me. Feel his seed spill with a force that drives me even further over the edge.

When the last shudder rips through me, I cling to him trembling with how completely and utterly spent I am. Physically and emotionally.

Carter rests his forehead against mine, and his fingers brush across my damp cheeks.

“What’s wrong?” He shifts up on one arm, still not pulling out of me, brows drawn down in a frown.

I realize then that the dampness is tears.

No. No. No.

I am not crying. Not after how perfect everything was.

“I-I’m okay.” But my voice betrays my emotions.

“Did I hurt you?” He starts to ease away, and I panic, gripping his hips, and forcing him not to move.

“No. You were…that was perfect.”

His knuckles drag across my cheek, and he presses a light kiss against my lips. “Talk to me, sweetheart.”

The way he’s looking at me, like I’m the most precious thing in the world, makes me feel safe. Like maybe this whole insane thing between us might just be the real thing. That I might not be the fool I think I am for falling head over heels for the guy.

I trace one of the patterns on his bicep and think about what I’m supposed to say. I’ve never been here before, in a place where the guy wants me to open up. I’ve spent my whole life bottling my emotions. I don’t know how to let my walls down completely.

When I don’t answer, Carter rolls over on his back, taking me with him, so that my head is resting on his chest, and one of his arms is wrapped possessively around me.

We lay in silence for a long time. And I swear I fall even more in love with him, for his ability to know exactly what I need. And right now, I just need time to think.

My mind never stops. It’s constantly thinking about the consequences of every word I say, every small insignificant action, and this…well this is going to take a hell of a lot of processing.

“I’m scared,” I say, being brutally honest. “If this doesn’t work out between us…” My breath hitches, and I pinch my eyes shut. “I’ll survive. I know I will. But I don’t know what…”

More tears stream down my cheeks, and I hate it. I’ve always been able to hide my emotions, to rein back my tears, but with him I can’t.

His thumb is under my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze.

“You’re mine now, Layla. Do you know what that means?” His expression is dark, confident. “It means I’m not letting you go. Ever.”

I let out an uneven breath. I want that. More than anything. But words fail me.

Is it possible? Him and me? Can we live this life? Despite everything?

He fills places in me that I didn’t even know were empty.

I don’t want to let that go.

I don’t want to lethimgo.

I just pray that when everything is said and done, I won’t have to.

Chapter 20

Carter

“What’s this?” Layla frowns at the large bag I place on the kitchen table in front of her. When she stands, she places her hand on her growing belly, and one on her lower back and stretches.

It’s been almost two months since she finally said yes to me. I don’t even know if she realizes it, but we’ve started to create a home together. I’ve even convinced her to move her stuff into my room so that we can start turning hers into a nursery.

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