Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Realizing how close I came to losing the love of my life, I grab hold of Lily’s arm and yank her into my arms. I bury my face against her blonde hair and take a deep breath of her cinnamon and vanilla scent.
“Callan?” she whispers. “What’s wrong?”
“I just need to hold you.” My voice is rough from the thought of losing her. “I just realized how close I came to losing you forever.”
She wraps her arms around me, careful not to hurt her sprained wrist, and we hold each other for a moment.
When I finally let her go, I scowl at the fucking house. “Open the door so I can get your stuff. Christ, this place is a dump, Lily. Please tell me you didn’t sleep here.”
She unlocks the door, and when we step inside, I see how empty it is. “I only slept here for two nights.”
Christ Almighty.
I walk down the hallway, and finding the main bedroom that’s smaller than my apartment’s guest restroom, the blood runs cold in my veins.
There’s no bed. Only a small pile of blankets and two pillows.
“Where did you sleep?”
She gestures at the filthy carpet, then her eyes widen, “The bed’s being delivered today. It was supposed to come yesterday, but there was a delay.” Pulling her phone from her handbag, she mutters, “I have to cancel before they bring it.”
Anger detonated in my chest. “You fucking slept on the floor!”
Lily startles, and her eyes fly to my face.
I hold up a hand and attempt to breathe through the sudden rage, but every time I look at the disgusting carpet, my anger spikes dangerously high.
“Why are you angry?” she asks, caution lacing the words.
It’s not just this fucking house or that I came way too fucking close to losing Lily. It’s learning about everything she’s been through.
And she probably hasn’t told me half of the shit.
Reaching for her, I pull her into my arms again.
Fuck, I want to keep her locked against my chest where the world can’t get to her.
“No more, Lily,” I say, the anger making my tone harsh. “You never keep anything from me again. If someone upsets you, I want to know immediately.”
“Okay…but I didn’t intentionally keep anything from you.”
“I know, baby.” I pull back so I can frame her face with my hands. Looking deep into her beautiful gray eyes, I say, “You’re mine to protect. To take care of. To love.”
Emotion tightens her features, showing me how much my words mean to her.
Lowering my head, I press a tender kiss to her mouth before murmuring, “I love you so fucking much.”
A happy smile spreads over her face. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that.”
When I let go of her, I say, “There’s not much to pack. Let’s grab your things and get out of here.”
So I can take her home where she belongs.
With me.
Chapter 41
Lily
After unpacking all my supplies and turning one of the guestrooms into an art studio for myself, I head down the stairs.
I’m not going to lie, the past few days have been insane. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.
But I’m here with Callan, and that’s all I choose to focus on. Not my parents. Not Sadie and Mark. Definitely not Denise and Beverly.
Just my wonderful boyfriend.
When I take the last step, Callan glances up from where he’s sitting on the couch with his laptop open in front of him.
Hearing me behind him, he glances over his shoulder, and asks, “How’s everything coming along?”
I walk to him, and leaning over the back of the couch, I press a kiss to his mouth. “All the boxes are unpacked. Should I put them in the other guestroom?”
He shakes his head. “Place them in the foyer. I’ll have housekeeping clear them out.” He lifts an arm, and wrapping his fingers around the back of my neck, he tugs me down for another kiss before saying, “We’re having company tonight. Do you mind making dinner?”
I straighten up and glance at the kitchen. “Of course not. Who’s coming?”
“Just a friend,” he cryptically replies.
I head to the fridge, and opening it, I glance over the vegetables, meat, and fish. “What should I make?”
“Whatever you want, baby,” he murmurs, his attention back on his laptop.
I hear the elevator door open and lean back so I can see who’s here. A stunning woman smiles at Callan as she walks toward him. She reminds me of Jessica Pearson from the TV program Suits.
“Hey, you’re here,” he says as he gets up off the couch. “What time is your flight to Houston?”
“At two-thirty.” Her eyes search his face. “How do you feel today?”
“Much better.” He gestures in my direction. “Lily, come meet Harper.”
Oh shit.
Wiping my palms on my jeans, I move closer to them. Yesterday, when I spoke with Harper, she wasn’t thrilled with me.