Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“It’s not heroic to protect somebody you care about,” he says.
I raise myself up on my elbow and stare into his eyes. The corners of his mouth tilt upward, and he looks at me with an expression of the purest love I’ve ever seen. It’s so real and so tangible that it takes my breath away. He reaches out and lays a gentle hand on my cheek, stroking it tenderly with his thumb. I lean into his touch. Hearing him say he cares about me makes my heart swell until it feels too big for my chest.
“You care about me?” I ask just because I want to hear him say it again.
A faint smile dusts his lips as he reaches out and tucks a thick lock of hair behind my ear. He wants to say something, I can tell, but he’s having a hard time getting it out. He licks his lips and swallows hard, his expression earnest.
“I care about you a lot, Brynn. I have for a while now,” he says. “Why do you think I’ve been coming into your coffee shop for so long now? The coffee isn’t that good. And it’s expensive”
I squeal with laughter and playfully slap his chest. “You’re awful.” But my mind thinks, ‘get back on topic, Burke’.
“I kept coming back because I wanted to see you. You’re the reason I was there,” he says. “I just didn’t want to let myself feel everything I feel for you.”
“Why not?”
“Because you should be with somebody your own age.”
“I don’t want somebody my own age,” I say firmly. “I want you, Burke.”
He seems surprised, but he smiles. “That’s good. Because I want you too,” he tells me. “You’re mine, Brynn. You belong to me.”
“And you belong to me.”
“Yes, I do.”
I snuggle closer to him and revel in the feeling of his big arms wrapped around me. I breathe deeply, savoring the scent of him. Relish the strength and power in his body. Being with him makes me feel protected. Safe. Cared for in ways I never thought I would be. Burke makes me feel truly loved. It’s not something I ever thought I’d be lucky enough to have in my life. But I have him now, and I’m never letting him go.
“You feel like home to me,” he says softly. “You are home to me.”
“I love you, Burke.” Then, I add softly, “my daddy, TIPCI”.
“And I love you back, baby!”
Cuddling tightly, as if we couldn't be physically close enough, we settle into a comfortable silence, letting the warmth of our bodies convey our feelings. Eventually, we drift away, and for the first time in a very long time, I fall into a peaceful, dreamless sleep, comfortable and secure, knowing the man of my dreams has finally come into my life.
EPILOGUE
BURKE
One Year Later
“You did it, babe,” I say.
Brynn beams at me, clutching her diploma like her life depends on it. The glow of pride in her face warms my heart.
“I did it,” she says. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can.”
She leans over and gives me a kiss. A lot has changed over the past year. I’ve changed a lot over the past year. And it’s all because of her. She’s helped me re-enter the world as a different man. Made me see it through her eyes. She’s helped open me up in ways I never believed I could. Made me feel things I never knew existed. Brynn has been nothing short of amazing.
Cole Dosset opted to take a plea rather than go to trial, and he’s going to be in prison for a very long time. I’m glad for that. And I’m glad that Brynn will be spared the spectacle of a trial. It’s been weighing on her for some time. Knowing he will be going away and she won’t have to face him in open court and detail that horrible night is an enormous weight off her mind. I’m glad for that. It’s allowed her to be free and light.
As for us, things have grown. Every day is a new adventure with her, and she has me doing things I never saw myself doing before. Enjoying life, being chief among them. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy life before, but with Brynn by my side, it’s… different. I’m enjoying it in a completely different way than before. Each and every day has a depth and meaning it didn’t hold for me before her.
She moved into my place a couple of months ago and having her with me every single day has brightened my world. She’s brought me a joy that’s entirely new to me. And it’s become clear, with every passing day, that my life is just better with her in it. Not only that, but I’ve gotten to a point that I can’t imagine her not being in my life. Not even for a single day.