Page 136 of We Are Yours
The house was dark, as if the lights had never been turned on. Kraven wasn’t home, which only meant he was off somewhere getting in trouble, dealing with our mother’s overdose, probably in the same way I was at that moment.
“Get your shit together,” I uttered to myself, wanting to wash away the day and the booze.
I made my way into my bedroom and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw her.
Sleeping.
Peaceful.
Fucking breathtaking.
I was beyond grateful for her. Especially then.
Her head was on my pillow, wrapped in a throw blanket she’d bought me for my eighteenth birthday. There was no resisting the urge to feel her beneath my body. Careful not to wake her, I lay on top of her and caged her in with my arms around her face. She fit seamlessly against my chest.
“Isla,” I whispered, faintly rubbing my lips on her mouth.
“Mmm…” she groaned, stirring awake. Her eyes fluttered, but sleep won out. “Mm-hmm,” she hummed as I kissed my way down her neck.
She opened her eyes, and her breathing hitched as her eyes snapped open, big and wide.
The world seemed to stop spinning, stop moving, and time just sort of stood still for us. With the way I was feeling that night, I needed her in a way I’d never needed anyone in all my life.
Her warmth.
Her comfort.
Her love.
Home.
Despite the dim lighting in my room, I could still see her bright green eyes, realizing the compromising position we were currently in.
Her eyebrows pinched together.
“You always look so damn good in my bed.”
She searched for something in my gaze, narrowing her eyes. “I must have fallen asleep.”
“Where’s Kraven?”
“I don’t know. He took off this morning, and I haven’t seen him since.”
“Go figure.”
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I am now.”
She placed her hand over my heart. “I’m so sorry, Julius. I don’t know how I’ll ever make it up to you for allowing her back into your life.” Her gaze gleamed with tears. “I’ll never forgive myself for this.”
“Shhh…” I whispered close to her lips. “It’s not your fault.”
“I feel like it is. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t insisted she be around.”
“She would have found her way in somehow. It’s her MO.”
“I can see it in your eyes.” She caressed my face. “You’re blaming yourself.”
