Page 107 of Destined Lovers

“Night, Pip.”

“Declan,” I whisper.

“Aye?”

“We need to talk. We can’t go on like this.”

He reaches over and strokes my hair. “I know, Pip. Tomorrow, we’ll talk then.”

“Promise?”

“Aye, sleep tight.”

“Nooooo!” my da screams, and I throw another hand over my mouth to keep in the sobs racking through my body.

Noooo, mammy, noooo. Oh my god, someone help!

“Nora, Nora. Wake up.” I can feel someone shaking me, but my body isn’t fully awake yet. “Pip, please.” My eyes jolt open at Declan’s pleading voice. My chest is heaving. I can’t catch my breath and feel the sweat dripping down my body.

When will these nightmares stop? I can’t take it anymore.

Declan reaches over and pulls me against his body.

“Nora, I hate when you have these nightmares.” He hugs me tight.

Tonight the comfort isn’t there. It’s not the same.

I need Declan.

I just… I can’t do this without him. The real him, not the fake pretend version he’s been all day. So, it’s not surprising when the tears come and don’t stop. I’ve had enough.

I’m done.

He leans back and looks down at my face. “Nora,” he whispers.

“I need you,” I choke.

“I’m here, babe. I’m right here.”

“No, you’re not. You’re here,” I wave my arm around the room, “But you’re not here for me. I know I fecked up. I know.” I cry, “I’m sorry, I should have talked to you. I was nervous and thought I was doing the right thing. Nothing I did was out of ill intent. You have to know that. I needmyDeclan back. I need my love.” I whimper, broken. I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t love me anymore. “I love you so much it hurts.”

He pushes my hair off my forehead and presses his lips to my head. He takes a deep breath through his nose and pulls me in again to hold me tight.

“I love you too, Nora.”

“Do you? Because It doesn’t feel like it.” I whine. There are very few times in my life I’ve been this needy. This is one of them, and I don’t care.

His forehead creases. “Of course I love you. You are my forever and always.”

The tension that’s built up releases at his words. All I needed was his reassurance. I needed to know my other half would be there for me.

I bury my head in his neck, and his palm slides up my back, cups the back of my neck, and squeezes for comfort. His thumb rubs up and down, soothing me like it always does.

When I’ve calmed down, I pull back to see him clearly.

“Make love to me, Declan.” His eyes hold mine. “I promise I will never hurt you again. I love you too much to go through this again. I need to feel close to you. Please make love to me, so I can show you how much you mean to me.”

He doesn’t speak but sits up straight and maneuvers me, so I straddle his lap.

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