This Cruel Love (A Dark Hearts Stand-Alone Novel Book 2) by Nikki J Summers

Author:Nikki J Summers [Summers, Nikki J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-08-22T05:00:00+00:00

It was surprising how quickly we fell into a comfortable pattern of life together. All the time getting closer, but not quite close enough, like we were dancing around each other. Jackson was the only man I felt safe with after that night. I knew I couldn’t lock myself up in the apartment forever. I had to face up to life. But for those few weeks after the attack, our days spent together were all I could manage. And yet there was something missing, something between us felt off.

The first day, Jackson told me I needed to stop the drinking. I agreed with him. I’d been using alcohol as a way to numb Justin’s betrayal. But that wasn’t working, and it only led me down a darker path.

“It won’t be easy. You’ll probably crave the drink, and hate me for denying you, but I don’t care,” he stated. “I’d rather you hate me than hurt yourself with that poison you were putting into your body.”

He made me clear out all the alcohol I had in my room, including my secret stash at the top of the wardrobe and behind the drawers. Then he gathered every last bottle from the apartment, along with his prized single malt, and poured it all down the sink.

“You didn’t have to get rid of your whiskey. I know you like a glass after a rough day.” I felt guilty that he was going cold turkey with me.

“I have other ways to unwind,” he said, throwing the last empty bottle into the recycling. “Anyway, I want to support you in any way I can. What kind of guy would that make me, if I sat here drinking in front of you?”

He walked over to where I stood by the door, away from the enticing, sickly-sweet alcohol fumes that lingered by the sink. He stroked my face gently with the back of his hand as he spoke. “We’re in this together. You and me.”

I liked the way that sounded. It made some of the delicate cracks in my heart slowly piece back together. Gently, I leant into his touch. The warmth of his hand on my skin made sparks reignite within me. I wanted him to take charge, turn those sparks to flames, but he seemed to be the master of holding himself back. Either that, or he just wasn’t that into me.

“You’re not at all what I thought you’d be when I first met you,” I said, looking up at him, my eyes as wide as saucers, wondering what he’d say next. Willing him to say something that’d give me a clue as to how he felt, and put my fluttering, fragile emotions at ease.

“Nobody ever is, angel.” He sighed, with a stormy sadness behind his eyes.

My lips curled up at his use of a nickname for me.

“Angel? You never use nicknames. I’ve always been Ryley. You don’t even like Cillian calling me blondie or Tink, do you?”

He put his forehead against mine and my mouth opened on a gasp.

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