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)
Jesus.
Instantly, I’m overcome with concern for my woman. “Are you okay?”
She lifts a trembling hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, and it looks like she’s about to cry.
“Lily?” I move closer and reach for her arm. “Talk to me, baby.”
Before I can take hold of her, her face crumbles, and she quickly turns away from me. “I-I’m sorry. Just give m-me a second.”
When she heads toward the kitchen, I shoot forward and grab hold of her hand. Tugging her to a stop, I place a finger beneath her chin and nudge her face up.
When I see the heartache in her eyes, I pull her against my chest and wrap her up in a tight hug.
“I’m sorry I snapped at you,” I murmur. “I was worried.”
“I-I’m not upset b-because of you,” she whispers. A sob escapes her, and she presses her face into the fabric of my shirt to smother the sound. “God…I don’t want to cry in front of you.”
Jesus Christ. I’m going to kill someone.
Intense anger bleeds through me, and my jaw clenches.
“What happened? Who’s responsible for making you cry?” I demand.
Lily pulls slightly back but keeps her head bowed as she says, “I had a huge fight with my parents, and then my brother and sister got involved.”
It takes a lot of effort to soften my tone before asking, “What was the fight about?”
She shakes her head before using the back of her hand to dry her cheeks. “It’s not something I’m ready to talk about. I’m still processing everything.”
Lifting my hands, I frame her face and force her to look at me. When I see her tears, there’s another explosion of anger in my chest.
The pads of my thumbs brush over her cheeks, and I lean down to press a soft kiss to her lips. “I’m here when you’re ready to talk.” Tilting my head, I add, “Maybe I can help.”
She nods before burrowing against my chest. “I just need a hug.”
I wrap my arms tightly around her and press a kiss to her hair. “Whatever you need, baby. I’m here for you.”
I hold my woman for as long as she needs while trying to get my own emotions under control.
My need to find out exactly what’s wrong, so I can solve the problem is intense, but there’s nothing I can do until she chooses to open up to me.
It’s frustrating as fuck.
She pulls back and, once again, tries to hide her face from me by keeping her head bowed.
“Don’t hide from me.” I place a hand on the side of her neck and brush my thumb over her soft skin. “Look at me, Lily.”
When she finally glances up at me, she says, “I really didn’t want you to see me cry.” She lets out a hollow chuckle. “I look like crap.”
No, she doesn’t.
I take in the fragile expression in her eyes, and it makes my protectiveness for her grow rapidly.
Shaking my head, my gaze drifts over her face. “You look beautiful.”
“Liar.” She lets out a burst of laughter, then glances in the direction of the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?” Her eyes flit back to me. “Have you eaten?”
The corner of my mouth lifts up. “Yes, I’d love some coffee, and no, I haven’t had time to eat.”
“Can I make you dinner?” she asks while walking toward the kitchen.
I follow Lily, wanting to keep the physical distance between us as small as possible.
Taking mugs from the cupboards, she continues, “I know we’re having dinner tomorrow night, so if you don’t feel up to eating with me tonight as well, I und–”
“I’d love to have dinner with you tonight,” I interrupt her. “And tomorrow night.”
My words make the sadness in her eyes fade a little, which I take as a win.
I step closer to her, and lifting my hand, I grip hold of her chin. I turn her face up as I lean down and press a slow kiss to her mouth.
Pulling back, I lock eyes with her. “I missed you today.”
An emotion I can’t place ripples over her beautiful features. “I missed you too.”
Lowering my head again, I take her mouth in a deep and passionate kiss, and I don’t stop until she’s breathless.
Lily stares up at me, her eyes clouded with desire, which is a hell of a lot better than sadness.
With our gazes locked, I murmur, “My Lily.”
A smile tugs at her lips. “What made you call me Lily?”
I shrug while brushing my fingers down the side of her neck. “It just came naturally.”
Emotion tightens her features, giving me the impression she’s overwhelmed, then she whispers, “I’m glad you’re here.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
I pull away so she can prepare the coffee, and while she’s busy, I say, “Let’s order in. You’ve had a rough day.”
“That would be nice.”