Dark Redemption: A Novel of the Dark Ones (Pure Dark Ones Book 6) by Aja James

Author:Aja James [James, Aja]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, erotic
Publisher: Amazon
Published: 2018-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

*** *** *** ***

“Goodnight, Annie,” Clara whispered and placed a warm kiss on the little girl’s forehead.

An hour earlier, they’d devoured chicken tenders together, the three of them, around the small breakfast table.

As usual, Eli remained mostly silent while Clara chattered on, and Annie responded with her lively facial expressions, beaming grins, enthusiastic nodding and shaking of her head.

Both females couldn’t stop staring at Eli though, partly because they were happy he came back, and partly because he looked so different without his long, dark hair.

Annie seemed particularly forlorn, lamenting perhaps the loss of opportunity to braid the thick, smooth tresses.

As if he knew what she was missing and wanted to offer a small consolation, Eli had reached inside his trouser pocket to retrieve a wad of cash and change, as well as a small, intricately designed barrette in the shape of a blue bow, sparkling with clear gems. On the same cardboard holder was a tiny version of the bow on a butterfly clip.

He pushed the money across the table to Clara and handed the gift to Annie.

“Oh, Eli!” Clara enthused on Annie’s behalf while the girl grinned with rounded eyes and mouthed thank you to Eli. “It matches Annie’s sundress perfectly. You are so considerate!”

Eli felt that he was no such thing. It was the first time anyone had ever applied that adjective to his person, he was sure. But he wanted to do his part if he was to be here with them.

For how long, he didn’t know. He feared he didn’t have the right to stay, but he’d do what he could while he was here.

By the time they finished the late dinner, it was past Annie’s bedtime. She took her bath, and Clara helped her get ready for bed, at which point Annie pulled Eli into her little alcove with Clara and had them both sit on the narrow twin bed. She climbed into Eli’s lap like it was the most natural thing in the world to do and kept her small hand on his large wrist while Clara read Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, by Dr. Seuss, one of Annie’s favorites.

Goodnight, Mommy, Annie mouthed back presently.

She turned to Eli and looked at him expectantly.

He stared uneasily back at her, having no inkling what she wanted from him.

Goodnight, Eli, Annie silently said.

She leaned close to him and pecked his cheek, then pulled back and continued to gaze at him with those large, innocently hopeful, sapphire blue eyes.

Eli looked at Clara for help, and she gave him such a dazzling smile he forgot how to breathe.

“Good night, my girl,” he finally responded in his low, husky voice. “Rest well.”

Annie’s face lit up like the sunrise as she threw her arms around Eli’s neck and hugged him tightly for all she was worth.

An unknown emotion surged within Eli’s chest, warming him from the inside out. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, uncomfortable with the little girl’s show of affection.

He had a feeling he didn’t deserve it.

Would never deserve it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.