Irish by Brittanee Nicole

Author:Brittanee Nicole [Nicole , Brittanee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-17T16:00:00+00:00

27

ELLIE

With his palm against mine, Frank drags me out of the bar as I holler back to Ruth. “Sorry! Can you close up?”

She laughs, her eyes lighting up. “You kids have fun now!”

Frank just pushes through the door without slowing and heads straight for his truck. The air is hot and sticky tonight. The August sun has finally warmed up even the coldest parts of Maine. And maybe it’s even been slowly thawing my heart.

Though that credit really belongs to Frank. He’s been doing it one subtle act at a time. Pancakes and omelets for the boys, bike rides in the afternoons, boxing lessons. Nights spent sneaking into my room and holding me so I feel safe. The dogs. Years ago, he promised me I’d have them, and because he’s Frank, he always follows through. He created a safe place for me without knowing if we’d ever see each other again.

All summer, he’s been showing me that he isn’t going anywhere this time. Showing me that I matter. For the first time in my life, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I come first for someone. That he loves me. He doesn’t need to say it. His actions speak for him.

When I get to the car, he opens the passenger door, but before I can step in, he grabs my waist and pushes me against the seat. His big palms land on my thighs, the move causing me to brace myself on his chest. Beneath the cotton of his T-shirt, his heart beats a million miles a minute, just like mine. “Please tell me you won’t take it back.”

I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face. “Take what back, Irish?”

“Tomorrow, when you wake up,” he says in a gravel that rolls against my skin and sends shivers coursing through me, “promise me you won’t change your mind. You won’t go back to acting like we’re enemies. Or worse, like we’re nothing.”

The pain etched in the lines of his face as he pleads with me breaks my chest open a little more, and blood rushes in my ears so loudly I can barely hear my own reply.

“You’re not nothing, Frank. I promise.”

He surveys the way he’s gripping my thighs, then his eyes flash to mine. “I’m scared to let go.”

“I want this as much as you do,” I promise.

Sliding my hands up his chest and around his neck, I angle closer and dig my hands into his hair and tug. With our lips only a breath apart, I say, “I’m holding you to your promises. Take me home and make me forget that anyone else exists.”

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