Claim Me Forever: A Single Dad, Small Town Romance by A.L. Jackson

Author:A.L. Jackson [Jackson, A.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A.L. Jackson Books Inc.
Published: 2024-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-THREE

EZRA

Darkness drifted through Savannah’s room, and I kept fluttering my fingers through her hair as we both lay there absorbing everything that had happened between us.

The way I’d touched her and she’d touched me.

Both physically and emotionally.

The confession I’d made about Brianna that I had then sealed with a kiss.

A slow, deep, desperate kiss before I’d nudged Savannah off me and curled her back into my arms, just needing to have the perfect weight of her against me.

I felt like a thousand pounds of shame and grief had been expelled. Present and lingering, but not quite as heavy. Through it, I waited for the guilt to come. For it to hit like another strike of betrayal, confessing Brianna’s secret that I’d held for so long.

I’d always felt like I needed to carry it on as some sort of tribute to her name. Hold the piece I should have protected.

Because I’d failed her.

I’d failed so reprehensibly and shamefully, and it’d caused a lifetime of pain and loss for my kids.

I hadn’t listened when she’d begged for help. Had turned my back when she’d needed me most.

I wouldn’t fail on the last promise I’d made to her when I’d stood over her grave. I would find those responsible. Bring them to justice. Whatever it required.

Tonight, that thirst for vengeance still soaked me through, but it was different, lying here with Savannah like this.

I shouldn’t find so much comfort in it, her being here, not when she kept promising again and again she was going to leave. When I knew there was something going on with her. When I knew she was keeping her own secrets.

But there was no putting out the glow that burned in the center of me. A spark in the place where the little trespasser had gotten.

Savannah and I were on our sides facing each other, our breaths mingling in the space that separated us, those aqua eyes swimming with care as she continued to gently trace her fingers over the tattoo like she could assuage the pain.

I took that hand and pressed her knuckles to my lips.

Every rational part of me was aware that I should get up and leave. I was getting attached, and I had no doubt that my kids were, too.

The greedy part of me said fuck it.

I was going to stay.

“What are you hiding from?” I finally whispered into the lapping shadows. Couldn’t shake how badly I wanted to know her. Understand her.

Savannah flinched where I held her in my arms. I’d already known she would. Had known she’d fight to keep herself shored up and camouflaged. But there was no not seeing her. Not when she was nothing but a beacon.

This dichotomy of a woman who could make me feel so fucking seen while she thought she didn’t deserve the same thing.

“I’m not hiding anything, Ezra.”

“Bullshit,” I told her. “You think I don’t know there’s something going on behind those gorgeous eyes? You think I don’t see it, the same way as you see me?”

I grinned against her knuckles.

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