Everything is too much. The feelings are overwhelming. I can’t even describe how I feel. I am feeling too much.
The urge to runfills my chest. My heart begins to beat harder than it was seconds ago.
Helowers himself, wrapping his arm around me. “Please, don’t leave me,” he breaksas his forehead presses into mychest. “Please.”
I open my mouth to say something.I want to say something. I need to say somethingbut can’t find the words to express myself.
“I know you can’t say it, baby. Just please tell me you feel it. That you know this is real.”
“I feel it, Jake,” I barely rasp out.
I feel it all.
I walk out of the bedroom,dressed to take Lyra to the beach. I’ve let my fears hinder her. It’s not fair for me to keep her cooped because I’m afraid. And I’m not missing out on the MediterraneanSea.
Lyra has her hand in mine as we step out of the room, ready to go. All we need now is Henry.
Jake is sitting at the breakfast bar with his phone in his hand,looking at it with a mixture of worry and anger on his face. I try to keep us quiet. I don’t know what’s going on, but it looks serious enough not to disturb.
I set Lyra on the sofa with her bookwhile I go to make her a few snacks. I’m digging in the fridge for a few bottles of water. When I turn around, Jake is standing right in front of me.His brows are dipped low as he takes me in. He runs his tongue over his bottom lip as his eyes travel the length of my body.I flush at his perusal.
“Going to the pool?” he asks as he runs a finger under the strap of my bikini top.
Goosebumps erupt where he touches. His gaze is so lustful, I barely stop myself from rubbing against him like a cat.“Th-the beach, actually.”
He stops moving. His eyes snap to mine. I see the argument coming. “You’re not going to the beach,” he tells me.
“Jake, she’s been confined for nearly two weeks. It’s not fair to her.”
He grabs me by the waist, pulling me into his chest.He brushes a stray hair away from my face with a sigh.“I don’t want you out there. I don’t like it.”
“I’m scared too. If it were just me, I could easily hide away from the world. I’ve done it before, but I have to think of Lyra. You have to think of Lyra.”
“I am thinking of her. I’m thinking of both of you.”
“Jake, she is a little girl. She is used to daycare with friends and days at the park. Looking at four walls all day and watching cartoons isn’t good for her.”
“I’m not going to be able to think straight if your both out there,” he whispers as he presses his forehead to mine.
A heavy sigh escapes me.Guilt threatens to consume me. “I’m sorry,” I whisper back. “This is my fault. You wouldn’t be worried for her if it weren’t for me.”
He tips my chin,so I’m looking up at him. “I’m notjustworried about Lyra.”
“I know, but – .”
“No ‘buts’. Don’t let your mind go where I know it wantsto.Please.”
“What’s going on?” my brother’s voice calls, making me jump.
Jake ignores him, still looking at me and waiting for meto agree to what he just said. I give him a nod. “Okay, Jake. I’ll try.But you have to let us go. She needs to get out.”
“Fuck,” he groans.“Okay. I don’t like it, but I understand what you’re saying. So, how about we compromise?”
“How?” I ask curiously, wondering what he has in mind.
“We have that interview this morning. Then sound checks. We should be back around lunchtime. Wait until I can go too.”
A smile spreads across my face.Lyra will love getting to spend time with her dadoutside of the room. I kind of like the idea myself. “Deal.”
