Page 71 of Finding Forgiveness
“I could’ve been an axe murderer, Cass.” Her caramel eyes widen as she bites the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth … she knows I’m right. I reach up and use the pad of my thumb to drag it free.
I want to kiss her so bad.
“What are you doing here? Am I dreaming?”
She pinches a chunk of skin on her forearm, and when she winces, I smile. “You’re not dreaming, Princess,” I say. “I’m really here.”
“Why? How?”
“I read your letter today.”
“You did?” she asks as tears rise to her eyes.
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for everything you went through.” My voice cracks as I speak. “I’m so fucking sorry, Cass.”
When her sob breaks free, I engulf her in my arms, crushing her body to mine. “I loved our baby, Con … I loved it so much.”
I clench my eyes shut as I struggle to keep my own emotions at bay. “I know, sweetheart,” I say, running my hand soothingly over her hair. “I know.”
Chapter21
Cassie
Connor Maloney was the last person I expected to see when I opened the door, but having him here—being in his arms again—is like a dream come true. I thought I’d lost him forever … that there was no coming back for us this time, but I’m glad I was wrong.
I sob into his chest, for our relationship,for our child, for all the things that were taken from us. He doesn’t let me go for the longest time, and if I could stay cocooned in his arms like this, for eternity, I would. This is the only place I’ve ever truly felt safe.
When he finally releases me and draws back, he does something completely unexpected. He tenderly cups my jaw in his hands, swipes the pads of his thumbs over my cheeks to wipe away my tears, and then he leans in and kisses me like his life depends on it. Devouring me like he’s starved of oxygen, and I’m the air he needs to survive.
I don’t hold back either, I’m all in.
I left Sydney on a quest to find myself, but I’m not naive enough to think it will happen overnight. It’s going to be a long and tedious process because I have years’ worth of baggage to unpack. I can only hope that now I’ve purged all of my secrets, I’ll continue to move forward with my healing.
I’ve enjoyed the solitude that this place has brought me, as well as Martha and the animals, but when the chores are finished and night falls, the loneliness sets in. Having Connor here, for however long that may be, is something I’ll cherish.
He tugs my body closer, and I whimper into his mouth. Crossing the threshold, he kicks the door closed with his foot, then walks me backwards across the room until we hit a wall. Our mouths part as he slides his hands underneath the T-shirt I’m wearing, palming my butt cheeks with his big strong hands.
“Are you okay with this?” he asks, making sure this is what I want before he takes it any further. He’s always been considerate of others—which is only one of his many admirable traits—and I’m glad his suffering, at my hands, hasn’t robbed him of that.
“I’m more than okay with this,” I answer, reaching for the buttons of his dress shirt. What I want to do is rip his clothes off with my teeth, but thankfully I manage to contain that urge.
“I didn’t come here for this,” he clarifies. “I just needed to see you.”
“I want this,” I reiterate, skimming my hand over his thick, dark hair. I have nothing holding me back now. No guilt, no lies … no secrets. “I want you, Con. I’ve always wanted you.”
My confession has the corners of his lips tugging into a grin. “I’ve never stopped wanting you, Princess.Never.”
I was twelve when we officially met, but I knew who he was prior to that, because we not only attended the same school, but Connor Maloney was the object of every girl’s attention. Like he was the sun and the entire female population were the planets that gravitated around him.
“I feel like I’ve spent my entire life craving you.” My hand slides from his hair to caress the side of his face. His light stubble scratches against my skin as I do. “Especially when we were apart.”
I can’t remember a time I didn’t ache for this man, even when he acted like he hated me.
His eyes are locked with mine as his hands rise over my waist and skim upwards along my spine, bringing the T-shirt with him as he goes. I lift my arms in the air so he can tug it over my head. He glances at the tee before tossing it aside. “Is this my shirt?”
I grimace. “I stole a few out of the washing basket in the laundry before I left.”
He chuckles as he leans forward, nipping at my bottom lip. “I like that you were wearing my clothes, but I prefer you like this,” he admits as his gaze moves down to my bare chest. His hands gravitate in the same direction as the tips of his fingers skim over my ribcage, causing goosebumps to pebble in their wake.
