I keep my mouth shut. She’s right. I have no clue what she is going through. I don’t know how it feels, what her experiences are like.
“I–” She takes a deep shaky breath, her body starting to tremble, “You didn’t feel him. He didn’t take anything from you.” She pushes my chest with full focus. Standing up, she turns back and forth on the hardwood floor. “You didn’t have to dream that your past could undo your present, that it would help you heal. Only for it to blow up in your face and be exactly the same!”
I stand with her, grabbing her shoulders to stop her pacing, “Elliott I’m s–”
“Stop!” She shouts, slapping my hands away. “He took everything!Theytook everything! I never had a chance!” She slams her fists on my chest over and over again, repeating the words. Each hit makes the crack in my soul even deeper.
Her arms slow and her body slugs to the ground. I stop her fall by gently folding her into me once more. Her face landing on my chest and the sobs that rack through her are something I know I will never be able to forget. I rub her arms, her back, not saying anything because there is nothing I can say right now to make this better. I just want her to know I am here. I will always be right here.
“I’m sorry.” She whispers through gasps of air. “You're just trying to help me and I’m over here yelling at you. What is wrong with me?” Her glossy eyes stare into mine.
“You don’t have to apologize to me, El.” I scoot her closer so she’s basically on my lap. I don’t want her out of my hold. Selfish I know, but I couldn't help it.
“But I do. You aren’t at fault or to blame. I’m just–” Her body deflates even more as I reach for her hand, “I feeleverythingright now.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine what you are feeling or going through at this moment, but I want you to know I am here.” I scoop her into my arms and inhale her scent, “Right here.”
Her breath catches as she takes in a shaky breath, “Thank you.” She whispers the words into my chest, wrapping her arms around my waist and easing into my embrace in a way that tugs at my heart to keep her here forever. To ensure she feels this safe every minute of her life. But in order to give her that comfort and safety, I have to burn Everton to the fucking ground.
And I promise on everything I am, I will make it happen.
35
Elliott
The smell of food wakes me from a nap I didn’t even realize I was having. Warmth engulfs me and I give my legs a stretch, realizing there are no nightmares or memories invading my mind and I take a deep breath of relief. My nose fills with rosewood and just the scent of him relaxes me further. Kameron stayed with me, still holding me like he was when I was sobbing in his arms after I apologized. He’s still rubbing my side softly and the small gesture has my stomach fluttering. I don’t know if he is half awake or just relaxing as he holds me to his side, but I chanced a glance at him anyway. His eyes are closed as he lays against the bed’s headboard. I allow myself to take the sight of him in, propping on my elbows before resting on his chest.
He is breathtaking.
I mean, they all are. As much as I don’t want to include Marcus, I know that would be a lie. All three are handsome in their own ways. All so different, yet still stunning.
Kameron’s honey waves lay perfectly tousled back, like all he did was run his fingers through his hair this morning and it ended up being perfectly messy. I drag my gaze across his sun-kissed skin, seeing a hint of stubble on his cheeks and sharp jawline, I further my gaze to his full lips. The same ones he kisses me tenderly with.
I want to taste them on me again.
My stomach coils at the memory of what he made me feel spark through my mind and body.
“See something you like?” He says, peeking one of his golden eyes at me.
“Yes.” I reply bluntly as I grin up at him through my lashes.
He pulls me on top of him, widening his legs so I settle in between them comfortably, “And what do you see that’s to your liking, gorgeous?” His lips hover close enough to mine and I can feel his hot breath.
“You.” I whisper to him.
“Mmm…go on.” He groans, burying his face into my neck and kissing right above my collar bone, causing me to giggle.
“Stop.” I fully laugh now that he’s found my tickle spot, and he must know because he breathes against it again causing me to playfully shrug him off but he doesn’t budge, taking fulladvantage. “Kameron!” I push against his chest, and he is smiling so wide it feels like the whole world stops.
“Sorry but that laugh of yours has to be my favorite sound of all time…” He tilts his head with a wondrous look on his face, “Well top three. I have a few other sounds you make on that list.” He wags his brows at me and I sink my teeth into my bottom lip, knowing exactly what he’s talking about.
“I am really sorry about earlier.”
“Stop apologizing to me. I may not have experienced it, but I can understand why you feel the way you do. Why you snapped at me. You need to heal, El. Let me be here for it. Let me show you how you deserve to be treated.”
“I want you here, I do, but…”
“But what?”
