Forever Nine by Kris Bethke

Author:Kris Bethke [Bethke, Kris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Holden got home at seven in the morning. I heard his truck pull into the drive. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized how in tune I’d been to that sound. But the familiar rumble of the diesel engine pulled me from the doze into which I’d drifted. I’d stayed on the couch. Not only was it easier to prop myself up there, but I didn’t want to miss Holden when he got in.

I was halfway to the door when he knocked, and I jogged the last few steps and pulled it open. He looked tired, but absolutely magnificent. Tall and broad, and his face broke into a smile when he saw me. He set down his bag just inside my door, then opened his arms. I fell into them and just breathed, taking in his feel and his scent and his warmth. Everything was suddenly right in my world and I didn’t even have to marvel at why. I was meant to be his. I’d always known it. And now that I was, I felt complete.

Holden smoothed a hand down the back of my head, then kissed my forehead. I sighed happily and he chuckled, a warm vibration in his chest. After a minute or two, he tucked two fingers under my chin and lifted my gaze to his.

“How are you doing?” His voice was a low rumble that I felt as much as heard. It made me shiver, imagining all sorts of other situations when I’d hear that voice.

The quirk of his eyebrow let me know that I’d neglected to answer his direct question. I gave him a sheepish grin.

“I’m okay. Feel fine. Head’s a little…” I didn’t know how to put words to my feelings so I just made a vague hand gesture. Holden seemed to understand, though. He nodded and moved us further into the house.

“Do you want something to drink or eat?” I asked as he directed us toward the couch. Before I even realized it, he had us snuggled up. I leaned into him, taking his tight hold on me as an answer that he didn’t want anything.

“I’m good,” he said, and when his hand began a slow caress up and down my back, I just melted. “Want to tell me about the visit from your mother?”

I whined. “Do I have to?”

Holden cocked his head and really studied me. After a moment, it became uncomfortable and I buried my face in his neck. I wanted to kiss the skin there, or lick, but since I didn’t have permission to do either, I just breathed.

“You know, Jess, I always got the impression that you got along well with your family. But these last few days have been quite the eye opener for me.”

The way he’d said it made my insides squirm. It wasn’t disappointment, exactly, but something close, and I hated hearing that tone directed at me. Absolutely hated it.

“I do,” I said, my voice muffled by his skin. “And I don’t. I told you some stuff, so you know.

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