Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
His sudden apology catches me completely off guard. “For what?”
“For leaving you behind in Verona.” His features tighten with something akin to regret as he keeps looking at me. “I should’ve brought you with us.”
His words hit hard, and unable to keep eye contact, I lower my gaze as I place the glass on the island in the kitchen. Shaking my head, I try to chuckle. “Don’t be silly. You have nothing to apologize for.” I clear my throat. “I wasn’t your responsibility.”
When he moves closer to me, my heart instantly beats faster, and my gaze snaps to his face. He tilts his head, and the moment he places his hand on my shoulder, a wave of tingles wars with the ever-present anxiety caused by years of abuse.
“You’re family, and have always belonged with Rachel and me.”
I stare at the only man who’s never done anything to hurt me, and it feels good knowing I mean something to him.
“Thanks for saying that,” I whisper. “It means a lot coming from you.”
Easton’s fingers tighten on my shoulder, and as he moves closer, he gently tugs me toward him. My heart practically explodes into a wild beat when he presses me to his chest. His arms wrap around me, and I’m engulfed in a hug that actually makes me feel safe.
I stand still, soaking in how good it feels to be held by the man who owns my heart, then he says, “It would be nice if you hugged me back.”
I let out a burst of awkward laughter, doing as I’m told. After I wrap my arms around Easton’s waist and flatten my palms over his back, I turn my head and rest my cheek against his chest.
It’s been so long since a man showed me kindness I’m overwhelmed by how good it feels.
Unlike when Easton caught me crying and comforted me on Saturday, there’s no reason for him to hold me tonight, and it makes the moment so much more special.
He’s doing it because he wants to.
His arms tighten around me, and it makes me feel so safe I practically melt against him.
“You give really good hugs,” he murmurs.
While I’m still trying to process how good the embrace feels, he presses a kiss to the side of my head, and it has a tear escaping.
“I’m glad you think so,” I whisper, my voice a little hoarse from all the good emotions I’m feeling because of him.
When he begins to pull back, I remove my arms from around his waist. Instead of moving completely away, he keeps one arm locked around me while bringing his other hand to my face.
Oh God. What’s happening right now?
He takes hold of my chin and nudges my face up until I make eye contact with him. My stomach fills with a weird mixture of anticipation and anxiousness.
“I want you to know you’ll always have a home here with Lainey and me,” he pauses, and there’s a flash of heartache on his face before he finishes the sentence, “even after Rachel is gone.”
My heart is beating so fast, and I’m embarrassed when I realize my breaths are rushing over my lips.
Either Easton is ignoring my reaction or he doesn’t notice because he continues, “You’re safe here, and I’ll never hurt you.”
My thoughts come to a screeching halt, and my gaze widens while my face practically goes up in flames.
Oh God. He knows.
When I take a step backward, he lets go of me, but as I glance away, he says, “Don’t be embarrassed. And don’t be upset with Rachel. I made her tell me.”
“Easier said than done,” I mutter, taking another step away from him.
All the good emotions I’ve been feeling up and vanish like mist before the sun. My anxiety skyrockets again, and being aware that Easton knows about my traumatic past has the memories creeping out of the shadows.
A memory of Trent throwing me against a wall flashes through my mind, and I quickly wrap my arms around myself.
When Easton takes a step forward, I flinch, but somehow, I manage to keep still as he takes hold of my shoulder again.
He leans in closer. “Look at me.” Shame pours through me like hot lava as I reluctantly do as I’m told. “You’re safe with me, Nova.”
All Easton’s glamour and fame fade away until I’m staring at the man I fell in love with before everybody knew his name.
He always made sure I ate plenty when I spent time at their place. I celebrated every birthday with him and Rachel. He dropped us off at school dances and was always waiting outside to take us home afterward.
The same sense of safety he made me feel as a teenager weaves around me. I didn’t know how much I needed the sense of safety that comes from being with people you love until now.