And the whole time I spoke, I could see the understanding in her eyes. The reassurance in her words. I didn’t realise I needed someone to tell me I was doing the right thing until she validated that.
If anyone understands the connection between my childhood and the one that Jaxon is currently living, it’s Daisy. She lived through it right alongside me and my sister. Neither one ofus had to pretend with her.
And even though I came here to help her through the storm, physically and mentally, she’s the one that helped me.
There was nothing romantic or sexual about it. Just two friends helping each other work through something. And for that, I’m grateful.
With delicate fingers, I push the hair back from her face and gaze down at her sleeping form. She looks relaxed, peaceful, and I take the opportunity to really take her in. The light dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose that have faded in the colder months. The small beauty spot just above her lip that I always loved to kiss. Her soft, plump lips as they part with her quiet breaths.
Fuck, she’s so beautiful.
I miss her.
I miss her so fucking much that my chest aches. It physically pains me to have her so close to me but not reallyhaveher at all.
I cup the back of her head in my hand and place a soft kiss on her forehead, closing my eyes as I savour the moment with her in my arms. If she woke now, I have no doubt that she’d freak out, but that doesn’t stop me. I just need to feel her for a little while longer. To feel like she’s mine again before reality crashes back in and she inevitably pulls away.
***
A nudge against my shoulder stirs me awake, followed by a soft voice, “Killian.”
“Hmm?” I mumble, my throat thick with sleep and confusion.
I pull my eyes open, blinking against the dim light in the room and look around at my unfamiliar surroundings before landing on my sister.
“You fell asleep on my sofa,” Bella whispers.
I frown and attempt to sit up, only to be held in place by a weight against my chest. Caramel scented shampoo teases my nose, and my entire body relaxes as the memories of this evening come back to me.
Daisy.
“Do you want me to wake her?” Bella asks, pointing at her sleeping friend and I quickly shake my head.
“No. I’ll carry her,” I reply, keeping my voice as low as possible so I don’t disturb her.
I hold my breath as I manoeuvre us both to the edge of the couch and stand. I freeze, waiting for a reaction from Daisy, but when she snuggles deeper against me, I release my breath and pad on quiet feet in the direction of her bedroom.
I use my body to push her bedroom door open and carry her across the dark room. With my free hand, I pull back the covers on her bed and lay her down gently before quickly covering her back up.
Daisy lets out a content sigh, burrowing deeper into her pillow and for the first time in my life, I wish I was an inanimate object.
Jesus Christ, I’m pathetic.
Because I have zero self-control around this woman, I lean down, placing one last kiss on her forehead and whisper, “Goodnight, angel.”
I’m halfway to the door when her small voice reaches my ears. “Killian?”
I pause, one hand on the doorknob. “Yeah?”
“I’m sorry I lied.”
With a furrowed brow, I turn to look at her in the darkness, my heart accelerating in my chest. “What did you lie about, Dais?”
I wait with bated breath for her response. But when a minute goes by, and then two, with nothing but silence, I realise that she’s fallen back to sleep.
And I leave her bedroom, closing the door behind me as quietly as possible, with more questions thananswers, once again.
CHAPTER 28
