Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
I clear my throat and croak, “I’m sorry.”
He frowns. “For what?”
The rioting emotion within me struggles to break free. I shake my head, unsure if my feelings can be adequately translated into words. Only now am I realizing how strong Carter is. To deal with a situation like this, you would have to be.
“For not seeing the man you truly are.”
He remains silent for so long that I wonder if he heard me. “I never wanted you to find out about this.”
“Why? Do you think I would have judged you for it?” It hurts that he would think that. “Maybe I could have done something to help.” What exactly? I don’t know. But I hate the thought of him going through this alone with no one to lean on.
His left hand tightens around the wheel. “Because I was ashamed.”
“Carter…” I fight back the tears that rush to my eyes. I don’t want him to think that I pity him. Somehow, I know he wouldn’t want that.
He glances in the rearview mirror before slowing the Mustang and pulling it to the shoulder of the road. The wheels spit gravel as he cuts the engine. He unsnaps his seatbelt and angles his body toward mine, sliding one hand into my hair.
“I spent all this time pushing you away because I never wanted that kind of ugliness to touch you.” His voice lowers. “All I’ve ever wanted is to protect you, Daisy.” He pauses for a beat. “Even from myself, if need be.”
My heart shatters into a million jagged pieces. “Don’t say that.”
“You deserve so much better than me.” His other hand rises to cradle my cheek. A fierce solemnness flares to life in his eyes. “You have to know that everything I’ve ever said or done was never meant to hurt you. I needed to keep you at a safe distance and that was the only way to do it. I’m sorry for that.” He shakes his head as his lips twist bitterly. “But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stay away. I ached to be around you.”
“The only thing I need protecting from,” I admit. “Is my own stupidity. I should have seen what was in front of me the entire time.” My gaze clings to his. “I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you. Not the other way around.” I swallow down the rising emotion that threatens to break loose.
“You’re wrong about that but I’m not going to argue.” His lips lift as he tenderly strokes the side of my face. “None of it matters anymore.”
My heart clenches. I don’t want him to push me away again. I don’t think I could stand it. Not anymore. Not knowing everything that I do.
Instead, he says, “Because you’re mine now.”
The breath rushes from my lungs as I sink into his touch. When his lips feather over mine, I open, needing the contact. Needing to reaffirm that this really is happening. That he’s mine and I’m his.
When he pulls away, a determined look fills his eyes. “Let’s get out of here. We’ve got one more thing to take care of before I hustle your sweet ass off to bed.”
Right.
I expel a breath.
Somehow, in the midst of all this, I forgot about my cousin.
33
CARTER
This has been one of the strangest days of my life.
How else do you describe a twelve-hour period where you experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows?
Throughout the whole damn thing, Daisy has been unwaveringly at my side. Somehow that made the worst of it a little easier to bear. The situation with my family has always been a dirty secret that I’ve gone to great lengths to hide. Having Daisy there as a silent onlooker, watching me as I subdued my father…that was beyond anything I could have envisioned. The hot licks of humiliation will forever be singed into my soul. And yet, now that she knows the truth, it’s like a crushing weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
After all these years, I can finally suck in a full breath of air. Daisy’s hand is secured in mine as we ride the elevator to the third floor. Today is a turning point and I want to get the rest of it over with. I want everyone to know that Daisy is mine.
And that means sharing the news with Noah.
I straighten my shoulders and mentally prepare myself for the impending shitstorm that is sure to follow. Noah isn’t going to be happy about this. He’s made it his life’s mission to protect Daisy from guys like me.
It’s difficult to imagine the two of us being on opposite sides of a situation. That’s never happened before. We’ve always had each other’s backs. If there’s one person I can count on, it’s Noah Walker.
And vice versa.
As much as the thought of damaging our friendship pains me, there’s nothing I can do about it. After years of wanting Daisy, she’s finally mine and I can’t let her go.