Page 36 of My Shining Stepbrother

“So those nights you woke up screaming and went to the bathroom?” He asks, but that's only half of the reason.

“Yes, I saw his smiling face over the man’s body. He explained it purely was a business transaction. That’s why I had to process it after you told me. I know you aren’t him and are not even close, but I still had to go through all the emotions. He haunts my memories, Reese.” I open my eyes, and the tears begin to pour.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I never meant to keep secrets from you.” He lifts a hand to my cheek and begins wiping away my tears.

“I get it, babe. I’m known for running off, and I might have run off then, but I made you a promise I would never run from you again. I mean it too, Reese. I’m done running.” I look into his eyes and hope he believes me.

“Come here, my goddess.” He opens his safe and inviting arms which I take greedily. I lean over, wrapping my arms around him as he closes his around me.

I'm in love with this man and need to tell him. With every touch, I fall more in love, and I need him to know.

Chapter 18

- Reese -

I hold Rose tight against me, and I need to keep her safe. She means everything to me. I know how I feel, but I can’t tell her. I need to know she is there with me.

“Reese.” she lifts her face from my chest, staring into mine with red-rimmed eyes.

“Yes, Rose?” I feel our connection pulling between us.

“I… I… I just missed you so much.” she looks away, embarrassed. What does she have to be embarrassed about?

I don’t think that’s what she wanted to say. She quickly hugs me again and tucks her head into my chest. My strong, beautiful woman is hiding something. I put my fingers under her chin and lift her face. I lean down and give her a soft, gentle kiss full of all my love for her.

As much as it pains me to say it, Matty was right. I love her. I’ve known for quite some time, but I can’t say it too soon and scare her off. She needs time to adjust to everything and throwing that in may be too much.

I let her go, and I instantly missed her. I stand on my feet, walk to the kitchen, grab some things, and start cooking dinner. Cooking is a stress relief for me in many ways. That is why I opened the restaurant.

She stands up from the couch, following behind me. The sounds of her feet across the floor make this house feel like home. She is my home.

- Rose -

I follow him into the kitchen to see him gathering food and cookware. Why is this man so good and damn perfect in every way? Is there a single thing he can't do?

“You're cooking?” I raise my eyebrow as he turns to face me.

“Don’t get too excited. You haven’t tried my food.” He winks at me, causing my panties to get ruined instantly. “I’m making homemade lasagna. It’s been one of my favorites since I was little. My mom taught me how to make it when I was seven years old because she was tired of cooking it almost every night.”

I can see how much this means to him, and when he talks about his mom, I notice the little glow of sadness behind his eyes.

“You miss her a lot, don’t you?” I ask him quietly.

“With everything inside me, she was my best friend and protector.” He sets some items down and stares at them for a moment.

“I can’t imagine, Reese. I’m so sorry.” I want to get up and do something, but I'm not sure what I can do to help with the pain.

“You can probably imagine a little. You said you and your dad were close before he was gone.” He points out that fact, but it's completely different.

“Yeah… we were…. I was daddy’s little girl, and he didn’t come home one day after work.” I look down at the counter, following the pattern. The little six-year-old girl inside of me felt that pain all over again.

“Do you know what happened to him?” he asks me, but I shake my head.

“My mom said he called her and told her that their marriage was done. He said it was all too much to handle, and he wouldn’t be back for his things. That she needed to send them all to a specific address.” Her words vibrated inside of me. I was too much. I was the problem.

“Were you ever curious as to where he went?” This man is full of questions tonight.

“Every day, but that eventually faded out. Now I couldn’t care less. He didn’t care about me, so fuck him.” I look up and see Reese give a single nod. “He is nobody to me now. He was my first heartbreak at six years old, my own father. Rachel doesn’t even remember him, which is probably best. Unfortunately for me, though, I remember everything about him, every detail. I wish that if there was a day I saw him again, I could make him feel like nothing. Just as he made me feel.”

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