Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“I’ve got you, baby. I’m right here. Nothing’s gonna happen, and that woman is perfectly fine.”
My words didn’t seem to matter.
All she could do was tremble, tears leaking from her sad eyes. C H A P T E R T W E L V E
Daphne
I woke up secure in Arkin’s arms. He was in a weird position, all twisted, making sure I had all the room I needed while his massive frame just took up a sliver of the bed. Seeing that girl get attacked last night brought me back to being a little girl, crouched up in the closet, hiding, while my father repeatedly assaulted my mother. Some days it was just a few hits from his belts, but some nights, when he was drunk, it was much worse.
I closed my eyes, desperate for the images to vanish, for the feelings of fear to let go and finally allow me to breathe. Arkin helped with the fear. Being here in his arms, I actually felt safe, maybe even a bit brave.
His phone buzzed again. It had been going off every ten minutes for the last hour. Whoever it was, they weren’t leaving him alone. I decided to wake him in case it was important.
“Arkin,” I whispered gently in his ear.
His eyes shot up and his body stiffened, as if he was on defense. “What is it? You okay?” he asked, searching my face, looking for any
kind of distress.
“I’m fine.” I smiled, trying to reassure him. ”Your phone has just been
going off constantly. You should call back whoever that is. It must be
important.” I handed him his phone.
He took it from me, kissing my check, and sat up on the edge of the bed. “Shit,” he said, calling back whoever it was.
“Hey, Mom,” he said as he looked at me sheepishly. He stood there
silent for a few moments, smiling. I found it sweet that he cared so much
about his mother. The smile on his face told me they were close. “Mom…okay, okay, I’ll ask her.” He looked at me, apprehension in his
eyes. “Love you, too,” he said and then disconnected his phone. “Ask me what?” I asked, rising up on my knees and putting my arms
around him.
“Well, my mother would like to meet you. Obviously you don’t need to
go. She is just really excited, since I’ve never mentioned a woman before.” “I’d love to.” I kissed the side of his face, feeling the rough stubble
tickling my lips, unable to imagine a greater happiness.
Arkin’s parents’ house looked like it came out of a Hallmark movie, complete with white picket fence and bright blue shutters. It made me realize how different our childhoods really were. Arkin must have noticed my apprehension, because he grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
“We can turn around. My mom will have to understand,” he said as he brought my hand to his lips and gently placed a kiss on my palm.
“Oh no. She may tell you that she will understand, but women never understand those things. Besides, I am excited to meet the woman who raised the man I love.” The words were out before I could stop them. Yet, I didn’t want to take them back. I loved Arkin, and it felt right for him to know.
“I love you too, Peaches. I love you more than I ever thought loving someone could be possible. You’re the air that I breathe.” He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Without you, I think I would die.” He held my face in his hands and looked at me, making sure I understood that for him, I was everything. He made me feel like I was his universe.
He let go of my face and walked around the car, opening the door for me. He grabbed my hand again as he helped me out.
“Let’s go meet my mama,” Arkin said. For the first time in my entire life, I felt the holes in my heart start to heal and the nightmares of my past start to fade away.
Before we made our way to the door, it was flung open and a delicate woman came barreling at us and locked her arms around Arkin.
“My baby is home!” she chanted before looking at me. “And this is the woman who makes my baby happy. It’s so nice to finally meet you, sweetheart. I’m Deborah, Arkin’s mom. But you already know that.” She smiled warmly. “Come in, come in.” She grabbed my hand, pulling me into the house and leaving Arkin on the steps laughing.
“Mom, I want to keep this one. Please don’t scare her away.” Arkin chuckled, following us in.
“I baked some cookies. Sit and have a few with a cup of hot tea. Dinner will be another hour.” Deborah gestured to the stools beside the island and to the cookies nearby.
“They look delicious.”