Page 89 of Redemption

“It’s my shoulder,” he grunts and flexes his elbow before he settles into a new position. I tingle all over from being so close to him, but I tell myself I have to.

“I’m sorry, Christian.” I’m sorry I missed your throat.

“I’m sure you are. I’m sure you’re sorry you didn’t aim better.”Fuck.He’s not going to be easy to trick.

“Maybe.” I strain a smile. “No… I didn’t know you— I thought you came to kill me. Us. I did what I thought I had to do.”

“How do you know now I’m not here to hurt you?” He raises his eyebrows and shakes some hair off of his face.

My stomach clenches and my heart leaps to my throat. I swallow audibly. “You said…”

“Ker, fuck! I’m not. All right?” He sighs and rubs his face.

“I’m sorry. I—”

“And will you stop saying that?”

“Sorry.”

He gives me a stern look and I bite my lip hard to stop myself from saying it again. Why am I apologizing tohim? It should be the other way around.

“You’re wondering why I’m here. Why I’ve looked for you.”

We’re both silent for a moment.

“Yeah, I—”

“I didn’t know you were going to get pregnant.”

“I didn’t plan to.” My cheeks burn. “And what does that have to do with anything?”

“It changes everything.”

I have to hold on to something so as to not hit him. I intend to cajole him into believing I trust him and don’t mind him being here. It would have the opposite effect if I cracked his nose.

“What does it change? It doesn’t change a thing,” I say, a little too edgy.

“We’re forever linked through her, Ker. Whether you like it or not.”

I swallow hard. I’ve felt it too. I just don’t want to admit it. I dart up. “I’m gonna make some tea. You want some?”

“I’d prefer coffee.”

I nod. My heart pounds. “Sugar?”

“Yes, please.”

God, thanks!The medicine has no taste but it’s sweet, a liquid for children. It’ll be a great substitute for sugar.

Twenty-Eight

Kerry

“So—” I stare at the steaming cup I’ve placed in front of him. “How do you like the book?”

He flips it around and looks at the cover. “I didn’t think it’d be your type of literature. I’d have pegged you as more of a romantic.”

“I didn’t peg you as someone who read books at all.”

---