Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
I sat between Christian’s legs on the couch as I ate yet another slice of pizza. Caiden was blearily staring at the TV, having woken up about two minutes ago.
I was wearing one of Christian’s button-down shirts with a pair of his boxers, and he had the last three buttons open to reveal my bloated belly, and he was tracing circles on it with his fingers.
Caiden finally looked over at me. “Sorry I fell asleep,” he grumbled, reaching up to rub his eyes.
I shrugged. “It’s okay,” I assured him. “Thank you for all the junk food and the movies.”
He smiled at me. “No problem, Ally.” He looked at his phone when it pinged in his hand. “I’ve got a movie date in two hours.” He groaned like it was the end of the world.
“Doesn’t sound like you’re excited,” Christian noted as he lifted his head from the back of the couch.
Caiden shrugged. “Nervous is more like it,” he confessed. I frowned. Caiden didn’t seem like the kind of guy to get nervous. “It’s the guy from the supermarket that I told you about,” Caiden said, talking to me. “He’s so fucking hot—completely out of my league.”
“Caiden, any guy or girl is lucky to have you,” I assured him. “Don’t be nervous. Just be yourself. You’re funny, sweet, and caring. If this guy is really into you, then he’ll love your personality.”
“And if he’s not, and you want me to kick his ass, just let me know,” Christian said as he leaned his head on the back of the couch again, closing his eyes. I ran my fingers over his forearm.
Caiden rolled his eyes. “I don’t need a protective little brother, Christian,” he teased.
Christian shrugged. “Just enjoy yourself, Caiden, and like Ally said, just be yourself. You’re one of a kind, and I mean that in the best way.”
Caiden blew out a soft breath as he stood up from the couch. “I’m going to steal a couple of slices of pizza, and then I’m going to get a shower and get ready for tonight.” He pressed a kiss to the top of my head as he got ready to walk out of the living room. “You did good today, Ally. I’m proud of you.”
I blushed. “Thanks,” I whispered.
Christian nuzzled my neck as Caiden disappeared from the living room. “You’re so much fucking stronger than you give yourself credit for, beautiful.”
“You make me feel strong,” I told him honestly.
“No,” Christian disagreed. I turned my head, frowning at him. “I just make you realize how strong you really are. I’m here to remind you that you’re capable of being strong, my moon. You glowed so beautifully today.” He pressed a kiss to my jaw. “It’s a beautiful sight.”
“What happens when it dims again?” I asked him as I turned on his lap to straddle his thighs.
He wrapped his arms around me, bringing me closer to his chest. “Then I take extra care of you until you’re glowing again. You’re going to have phases, beautiful, but I know you’ll always glow again.”
“I feel like I just need to grow the fuck up,” I told him honestly. “I feel like I’m too old to continuously be going through this.”
He shook his head at me. “No. You have mental health disorders, baby. That’s not something you just get over. You’ll deal with it for the rest of your life. But that’s okay.”
I drew in a deep breath. “And our baby? How is it going to feel having a mom who continuously hits lows?”
“I think it’ll be proud to have a mom that’s so strong, that pushes forward every single day and doesn’t give up, no matter how tempting it is.” My heart squeezed in my chest at his tender words. He kissed me soft, slow, and deep. I moaned, rocking against him. He stilled my hips, making me whine. “They’ll know just like I do that Mom is a moon—always changing, always phasing in and out of her darkness—but she’s strong, and she’ll always glow again.”
I drew in a shaky breath as I cupped his face in my hands. “Why the fuck are you so perfect?” I asked him.
He laughed softly and turned his head to press a kiss to each of my palms before he focused his attention back on me. “I’m not perfect, beautiful. I just try to be everything you need.”
“That’s perfect in my eyes,” I told him.
He smiled up at me. “And you’re perfect in mine, my moon. Despite everything you go through, you are perfect—perfect for me.”
I leaned forward and kissed him, letting him deepen it before I slowly pulled back. And then, I gagged. I quickly rushed off the couch and ran for our bathroom. Christian was right behind me, his hand pulling my hair out of my way as he rubbed my back.