“Fuck. That’s . . . I’m sorry you went through that. My brother died because my parents called his abductors’ bluff. They killed him when my parents refused to pay them. They didn’t want to spend the money. I can never forgive them.”
She takes a sip of her water, studying her hands intently. “It’s not easy being around them, so I get it. This is going to sound selfish, but I’m dependent on my parents. I’m too broken to adult. And I know that’s a poor excuse and that I should probably get my shit together, but this is easier.”
Tears fall from her eyes as she takes another sip of water before putting the glass on the table. I get up from my chair and kneel in front of her, wiping away the tears on her cheeks with my thumbs. I pull her closer to me until our noses touch.
I place a chaste kiss to her lips. She grips my shoulders and slides down on the floor with me. We kneel, facing each other. I wrap her in a hug. She lets out a sigh of relief, and the next moment she breaks down.
She doesn’t hold back, and I feel the wetness of her tears through my t-shirt. All of what she’s been feeling comes out. The pain and fear are torn from her with a scream. She wraps her arms around me and digs her nails into my back.
I grit my teeth against the pain, but I don’t move. I give her what she needs.
Pulling her closer, I sit on the floor, leaning against the balcony window. Bliss climbs onto my lap, straddling me, and buries her head in the crook of my neck, sobs still thrumming through her.
Rubbing her back, I make shushing noises until she becomes weightless in my arms and her crying subsides. I feel the exact moment when she slips into sleep, her exhaustion taking over, but still I don’t move. I cradle her to my chest and lean my head on hers.
BLISS
I wake up in Carson’s arms. At first, I don’t move. I inhale his scent, burrowing my head into the crook of his neck for a little longer, relishing the feel of his hands on my back drawing small circles. I can’t even remember the last time someone held me like this.
My body is one tight ball. It felt good to let go of my pain for a moment. And even if I don’t know him, I find comfort in our shared connection.
“Are you awake?” he asks softly.
I rise from my paradise and grab his cheeks between my hands. I lean down and kiss him. Softly at first, but then he lets me in and all the heat I’ve been feeling for him flares to life.
His strong arms wrap around my back, one hand traveling up to the nape of my neck. His grasp is possessive, and I can’t stop from moaning. I have to stop this before it goes too far. I don’t want things to be like this with him; I want to go slow. Savor him.
“Thank you,” I murmur against his lips. My forehead is pressed against his. I close my eyes for the briefest of moments, memorizing everything about him.
“We all need to be taken care of. I want to do that for you, Bliss. Yesterday made me realize how important you are to me. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you happy.”
My breath catches in my throat as I try to stop myself from crying again. Exhaling, I pull myself upright and stare into his face.
I see something there. Something true and real.
“If I don’t get off you now, I’m going to end up doing something very rash, and I’d rather our first time be special.”
He chuckles as I untangle myself from his body. “I have to pee, anyway. You’ve been sleeping for an hour.”
It’s my turn to laugh as I watch him get to his feet. He walks toward the bathroom, and I inch my way to the table. Sitting down, I wonder how the hell I’m going to keep him. Bordentown is a long way from L.A.
“Do you want to hang out for a bit? I took the day off. We could go for a walk and then get dinner later?” he asks once he returns, hands in the pockets of his jeans.
I shift in my chair, pulling my t-shirt down. “I’d love that. Let me get changed first.”
I pop up and go to the bedroom. Pulling out a yellow sundress and strappy wedge sandals, I change much quicker than usual. I don’t want to be away from him for even a moment.
I add some gold bangles and a pair of dangling earrings. My hair is already a mess, so I throw it up in a messy bun, put on some mascara and a swipe of tinted lip gloss.
“Ready.” I say, meeting him in the living area.
“You look amazing. It’s going to be really hard to convince me to leave this room.”
I try not to blush, but I know I am—I can see it in his smile. “Thank you, but you promised me a walk and dinner.”
“Hmm . . . we can always order in.”
He grabs me around my waist, pulling me flush against him. His words have heated my body, but I’m still not ready. I want to appreciate this bubble we’re in before it gets too intense.
I place a quick kiss on his lips and head to the door. “Come on, surfer boy. You have a town to show me.”
CHAPTER TEN
CARSON
Spending time with Bliss is easy and comfortable. I didn’t think I’d ever have a connection with a woman like I
