Hearing the words come out of her mouth is like being burned alive.
“Why?”
“Because that’s what I’ve always been loved for.”
That kills, like an arrow straight through my heart. I want to hurt every bastard who made her feel this way.
I swallow tightly, feeling my chest ache. “I’m an alcoholic, right?”
She looks at me in confusion, and I push my glasses up my nose, seeing her tremble in the darkness. Reaching out, I turn the heat on.
“Yes, you are.” She places a piece of her wavy blonde hair behind her ear.
“Do I love the bottles that hold the alcohol or the liquid itself?” My voice comes out rough, thick with pain.
Amelia sighs, avoiding my gaze. “The liquid.”
I cup her soft cheek and bring her eyes to me. The pain in her eyes tugs at every bone in my body.
“So, why do you feel like that’s any different from you? I love you for your heart, for who you are. I love your laugh, your smile that brightens my entire world, the way your face lights up when you eat chocolate-covered strawberries, or the way you dance randomly throughout the day. I adore the way your heart cares so deeply for the people around you. I’m obsessed that you love pink so much, to the point where you’ve made it your entire personality; the way you instantly make me feel safe; the way you welcomed Stella into your life with open arms, not caring at all that she’s part of the package; and the way you don’t treat me like fine china because of my addiction … because you believe in me.”
Her eyes water, making me suck in a breath.
“Do I need to keep going?”
“No.” Her voice hitches. Her smile wobbles as a tear trickles down her cheek.
Leaning forward, I invade her space as I place my lips on her warm skin. Her breath hits my neck as I kiss away the moisture, soaking up all her pain because she’s not alone anymore.
She has me. I’d take it all from her to know she’s happy, living carefree.
“Why did I fall in love with you?” I ask as I place my forehead on hers, and both of our eyes flutter shut.
I feel her hand wrap around my wrist before she brings my hand to her chest, placing it right over her heart.
I smile against her lips. “That’s right, honey. I love you foryou.”
CHAPTER52
AMELIA
We stumble into his house like horny teenagers, unable to keep our mouths and hands off each other.
My back slams against the door as our kiss turns hard and rough, our teeth tugging at each other’s lips, our tongues fighting for dominance. He presses his body flush with mine, and his hand reaches around for the lock to the door. We breathe in each other’s breaths as I drag my hands from his cheeks to his shoulders and all the way to his abs. He doesn’t know where to put his hands. They travel all along my body before stopping at the back of my thighs and hoisting me up.
Once my legs are wrapped tightly around his waist, he starts walking backward to his bedroom. His lips still dance with mine as we both breathe deeply through our noses. Gripping his cheeks with both of my hands, I laugh in his mouth when he bumps into a wall, jolting both of us.
“Shit,” he groans against my mouth, removing one hand from my bum to rub the back of his head. “I just banged my fucking head.”
I can’t help but laugh in his dark, quiet house. “Seeing stars?” I muse, running my mouth over his soft cheek.
“Yeah, she’s in front of me,” he replies deeply, continuing his path to his room.
He kisses down my neck, and his hot breath hits my throat, sending goose bumps along my skin.
I squeal when he drops me onto his bed. I bounce once and feel an entire storm of butterflies in my stomach when he crawls toward me with a boyish-looking smile and settles above me.
“I’d love to make you feel like the princess you are on my bed, but do you want to try something different?”
