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)
She was so fucking perfect.
I leaned over the side of the tub and pulled the plug to let the water out. She jerked awake, and I quickly grabbed her shoulders before she made herself slip under the water. “Easy, beautiful,” I crooned when she latched those beautiful, brown eyes on mine. “It’s just me.” I leaned forward and smoothed my lips over hers, enjoying her sigh as she kissed me back. “I have someone I want you to meet. You up to that?”
“Who?” she sleepily asked as she allowed me to help her up from the tub.
I grabbed a towel and began drying her body off, pressing soft kisses to her body as I did so. I groaned when she ran her fingers through my hair, her nails lightly scraping against my scalp. “My brother,” I told her. “He’s older than me by about a year. He’s in the Army, but he’s got some home time. Normally, he always stays with me when he comes home.” I stood up and wrapped the towel around her body before I drew her into my arms. “His name is Caiden.”
She frowned, and nervousness flickered in her eyes. She glanced down at her wrists, at the scars littered there. “I don’t know,” she whispered.
I grabbed one of her arms and lifted her wrist to my lips, kissing each healing cut. Her bottom lip trembled, her eyes shining with tears, but she didn’t let them fall. But there was a slight flicker of beautiful light in her eyes, revealing my moon.
Phases. She was full of beautiful, little phases.
“We can cover these,” I assured her. “But he won’t judge you. He saved my life when he found me bleeding out on the floor of my bedroom.”
Her breath hitched in her throat, and a tear slid down her cheek as pain filled her eyes—pain for me. She reached up and slid her fingers over my cheek. I leaned my face into her touch, my eyes never leaving hers. “What hurt you so bad, Christian?” she asked me quietly.
I reached up to cup her cheek, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “Family,” I told her softly. “Family hurt me, baby.”
She frowned before she leaned up on her tiptoes to press her lips to mine. I groaned softly, deepening it slightly before I allowed her to pull back from me. “I never want to hurt you, Christian,” she said, her words warming my heart.
“Just stay with me, and shine for me, beautiful,” I begged her. “You do that, and you’ll never truly hurt me, my moon.”
The smile she gave me—it fucking lit my soul on fire.
She may not realize it yet, but I completely belonged to her.
9
THE BROTHER
Ally
I clutched the bottom of the sleeves on Christian’s shirt I was wearing as I followed him out of his room. Reaching over, he laced his fingers through mine, and he gave my hand a comforting, reassuring squeeze as he led me into the living room where his older brother was at.
“Fucking shit, Christian, when’s the last time you went grocery shopping?” a deep voice asked from the kitchen. “All a man wants is a damn home-cooked meal—or something other than damn MREs.”
Christian rolled his eyes as he led me into the kitchen. I bit back a giggle. “I know you’re not broke, you cheap ass,” Christian retorted. “Fucking order something.”
A guy that looked almost exactly like Christian popped out of the fridge, his mouth opened to retort something before his eyes landed on me. My cheeks flamed red as I subconsciously stepped closer to Christian. I really didn’t do good with strangers.
“Fuck—she is beautiful,” his brother said, making my face flame. He flashed me a grin as he closed the fridge and held his hand out to me. “Caiden Greene.”
The blush on my cheeks deepened at his words as I placed my hand in his. “Ally Johnson,” I shyly introduced myself. Christian pressed his lips to my temple in encouragement. “And, um, thanks, I guess?”
He laughed. “I’m sure my brother tells you enough as it is, but if he isn’t, I’ve always got room in my bed.” He winked.
Christian glared at his brother as he pulled me into his arms—a possessive gesture that had me tingling all over. “Get your own, bro. She’s mine.”
Caiden laughed. “I know. Keep your dick out of your ass.” My eyes widened. Jesus, it was like being around Julian. He pulled his phone from his pocket. “Since you’re broke and don’t have any food,” I laughed quietly, “I’m ordering the greasiest, most fattening pizza ever. You guys hungry?” He snorted. “Who the fuck am I kidding? I’m not stupid; of course, you are.” He shot me another wink. “I’m not clueless as to why Christian took so long answering the door.”
“Oh, my God,” I whispered in horror as I buried my face against Christian’s chest.