Page 28 of Seven Days

“Thomas,” I trail off. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“I know. I wanted to.” He nudges my shoulder with his. “Open it.”

I untie the ribbon and open the box, seeing the necklace I was eyeing at the boutique inside. It’s even more beautiful in the pinkish purple light of the sunset. An opal with tiny pavè diamonds surrounding it. It’s stunning.

“Will you put it on me?” I ask.

“Of course.” He takes the delicate chain and loops it around my neck, clasping it with ease. “It’s beautiful.”

“It is.” I rise onto my toes and kiss him. “Thank you. Opal was my mom’s birthstone.”

He wraps his arms around me and holds me. On the rare occasions I would let down my emotional guard and be vulnerable with Trevor, he never did this. He would give me a brief hug and then move onto whatever else was on his agenda. It feels like Thomas would hold me forever if I needed him to.

“Let’s head back to the house,” he says as he lets me go. “We have to take an early flight since it was such a last minute trip.”

13

THOMAS

* * *

Brianna is curled up in the chair across from me as I go through the emails I’ve been neglecting. Her headphones are on and her eyes are shut as she catches a little more sleep and the flight attendant comes by and tucks a blanket around her and brings me a cup of coffee.

Luckily, I get most of my work done on the plane; that way when we get back to my house this morning, I can spend the rest of the day and night inside her. I want to soak up as much time with her in my house as I can. I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to get her to let me rent my house to her. It is the best way for us to be together. The only way, really.

I’m not ready to let her go.

It feels like time is speeding by faster and faster the sooner we get to our expiration date. I finish my work right as the plane touches down, which is good, but still a reminder that we have maybe twenty-four hours left. I wake her with a kiss, and my heart flip flops, my chest filling with affection at the sleepy smile she gives me.

She fully wakes up on the drive home and I keep her hand clasped in mine the entire way. I’m aching for her as I pull into the driveway and open the garage. Was it just Monday that I stripped her down and carried her to my bed? It feels like forever as much as it does the blink of an eye.

She giggles as I lift her into my arms as soon as we’re in the house. Her lips seal to mine, bringing my cock surging to life. I might just drop her on my couch and take her here first.

“What the fuck is going on here?” Jack’s voice booms across the open living space, freezing both of us instantly.

Bri drops her legs, her brown eyes huge and already filled with tears.

“You have two seconds to let go of my daughter before I come over there and kick your ass.”

Bri pushes my hands from her waist and turns to Jack. “Dad, what are you doing here?”

“I came straight here from the airport last night. I wanted to come home early and make sure you were okay. I guess I have my answer.” His voice is venomous as he stalks toward me. “Have you been grooming her all her life for this moment?”

“What? No, Dad.” She steps closer to him and further from me. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re both consenting adults here.”

“I called you because I thought she’d be safe with you,” he yells. “She just ended an engagement for Christ’s sake.”

“She is and always will be safe with me.” I meet his eyes dead on. He can be mad, he has every right, but he won’t pervert what’s happening between Brianna and me.

“I should break your fucking hands for touching my daughter.” He moves toward me quickly.

Brianna jumps in front of him to stop his progress, but he darts left. In doing so he accidentally knocks her over. She falls and cracks her forehead on the coffee table, a sickening crunch filling the air and then nothing.

We both run and drop down beside her. I roll her onto her back to make sure she’s breathing and responsive as blood pours from a cut in her head. Pushing her hair away from her face, I cup the side of her head, already feeling a knot form.

Jack tries to pry my hands from her, but I stop him with a searing look. “So fucking help me, Jack, if you interfere while I take care of her, I will call the police and file a goddamn report for assault.”

He backs off, but I can feel his guilt and anger swirling around us. “Is she okay? Should we take her to a hospital?”

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