Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
“Good morning, love birds,” he says, and I feel Collins’s arm wrap around my back. “I’ve made muffins and bacon. Do you want eggs to go with it?”
Collins’s stomach rumbles and then she giggles. “Yes, please.”
“Make that two,” I say. I hold out the stool at the bar for her and then take my own.
Vaughn sets down a plate in front of Collins and she smiles at me and takes a bite of her muffin. Just as her teeth sink into it, her eyes widen in shock.
“I’m allergic to blueberries,” she says as she sits the muffin down and looks at it.
“What?” I stand up as I feel panic rising.
“No, no, it’s okay. I just get a bad rash, but I didn’t eat it. I just remembered.” She shakes her head and looks up at me. “How did you not know that?”
“I-I…” My words are stuck in my throat as she gasps.
“My sister always checked for me,” she whispers, almost to herself, then shakes her head. “My sister? Oh God, Kade I need to talk to Berkley. She’s in London right now, oh my God, I have a sister. I remember my sister.”
I wait for more memories to kick in, ones of me and the accident, but after a few silent moments she shakes her head.
“I don’t know how to get in touch with her. I don’t know anything else. God, why is this so hard?” Tears fill her eyes and I pull her into my chest.
“Shhh. It’s okay, love. Just calm down.” I look up to see Vaughn watching her, and when his eyes come to mine there are questions there. Ones I’m not prepared to answer. “Find her,” I say to him, and he nods before he pushes away from the counter.
“You didn’t know I had a sister?” She looks up at me with tears streaming down her face, and I wipe them away.
“No, I didn’t. But I’ll bring her here and maybe that will help.” I glide my thumbs across her cheeks to try and soothe her. But I can’t see her hurting like this.
Leaning forward, I gently touch my lips to hers and do the only thing I can right now to comfort her. She’s so soft and sweet as she opens for me and I feel her breath against my lips. I taste her, and when I feel her tongue touch mine, I groan at the connection. It’s slow, but there is a current of need so powerful simmering below it that I can feel my hands shaking as I kiss her. I want to devour her entire body right here on the kitchen counter, but instead I hold myself back and try to be gentle.
I take my time and make sure that she is so thoroughly kissed that any fear or worry she may have is long gone. I want her to remember me and how much she loves me. But I don’t want the pain.
I just don’t know how to keep that from her.
Chapter 5
Collins
My lips tingle from the kiss as I wrap my arms around Kade. He puts my bottom on the counter as he sits me down. I hadn't realized I’d all but climbed him until I look around. Kade steps back a little, creating more space than I want between us. I don’t think he realizes I notice he’s slowly shifting away from me. Why is he holding back? I’m his wife, so what’s wrong with us being close?
“Do you love me?” I ask as I feel insecurities starting to rise.
“More than I’ll ever be able to make you understand,” he says instantly with such confidence.
“And I love you?” It’s a weird question to ask because my heart tells me I do. It makes my chest ache with need to be close to him.
“You’ve said those words to me before.” He reaches up, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear.
He’ll give me these small touches but not much more, even though my body craves him. Not only have I practically climbed my husband when he kissed me but I found myself all over him in my sleep too. Although I feel safe with him, some things aren’t adding up. Shouldn’t my husband know if I have a sister or if I’m allergic to something?
“Why don’t you know these important things about me?”
He might have distracted me with the kiss for a moment but he’d ended it. If he’d taken the kiss further, I would’ve forgotten for a little longer. Now my mind is racing with what he might be trying to hide. But even with all the questions and everything not coming together, I’m not afraid of him.
“It’s supposed to come back on its own.” He sighs and drops his hand from my face.
“Give me a little something.” I tilt my head back to look up at him.