Nash once asked me why I insisted I was like Andromeda. Back then, I never had the heart to explain to anyone why I felt like a chained woman. It’s always been a part of my family history, my last name, and my inability to stand up for what I wanted and who I wanted to be. I’ve allowed myself glimpses into a world outside that cage, but never shoved my hands through the small crack and torn it wide open.
My head drops, not wanting to have this conversation. “You know why.” The words come out in a defeated huff, and I hate that once again I’m not standing up for myself. That I feel like I can’t.
“Beatrice, you don’t have to be us or anyone else. You get to be you. Sweetheart, you earned an astronomy degree, and you have been fascinated by the stars your entire life. You think we didn’t know you were itching to get out of here. Your mother and I have been waiting for you to take the leap. We’ve been hoping you’d find the bravery.”
Watery eyes meet my father’s. I never needed permission to break free. It was always my choice to go, but I also wanted everyone else to be happy. I wanted to uphold the family name.
The first tear slips free as I wrap my arms around my father’s neck, hugging him tight. “Thanks, Daddy. I just wanted to make everyone proud,” I sniffle.
“Make yourself proud, Betty Major.” I pull back, meeting his stare once more. “We should have never nicknamed you minor. You are going to do amazing things and live the major life you deserve.”
The floodgates break open, tears streaming down my face as I rest my head on my father’s shoulder once again.
Once again, my world shifts for the better.
Things are changing, and it feels so good.
A soft crash in the Miller house living room causes me to bolt upright in bed. The house and the cabins are empty. No one should arrive until tomorrow.
Please don’t be another burst pipe or the ceiling collapsing.
Glancing at my phone, it’s just after one in the morning. I’m too tired for this.
Another bang reverberates through the house, punctuated by a man’s grunt. Who the hell is here?
I doubt any of the ranch hands are still here, and no way the Garrisons would come in here at this time of night. They both have pregnant wives at home.
Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I listen for additional sounds, my heart hammering so loud my ears are ringing. Maybe an animal got in, and it wasn’t a man I heard. Maybe it’s just the sounds of this old house.
Slowly twisting my bedroom doorknob, I edge the door open, peering around the frame into the empty hallway. The house is dark and quiet. There doesn’t seem to be anyone here but me.
Every horror movie warning comes flooding in. Don’t explore. Don’t call out. But I’ll be damned if someone breaks in here.
Tip-toeing into the hallway, a sound like ruffled clothing drifts from the living room. Balling my hands into fists, I creep toward it, doing my best to keep my breathing quiet. I know how to defend myself. Whoever it is won’t get away without a fight.
The moment I turn the corner, the light flashes on, revealing Nash leaning against the doorframe, rubbing his shin.
“Dammit, Nash, you almost gave me a heart attack.”
He says nothing, reaching for me, his mouth on mine before gripping behind my thighs. My legs wrap around his waist, holding his head in place as I kiss him like I need to breathe.
His palms cup my ass, hoisting me higher while he marches toward the bedroom. “Andromeda, I missed you so much,” he mumbles against my lips.
“Me too. I hated being away from you.” I hadn’t planned on admitting that to him when I saw him again, but the words broke free. Maybe it’s a side effect of the talk my dad and I had earlier.
He peppers open-mouthed kisses along my jaw before capturing my mouth again. We both can barely breathe as he pulls away. “I wish you’d come with me.” He speaks the words against my throat, flicking his tongue up the column before sucking my flesh between his lips.
Our bodies fall to the bed, his frame nestled between my legs. My hips grind up into him, seeking the friction of his rock-hard length. I want his skin on mine. I need him inside me, claimingme as his, making me chant his name like the only prayer I’ve ever needed.
Running my tongue across his bottom lip, I bring his mouth to mine once more, only pulling away when I’m in desperate need of air. “Next time I will.”
The world seems to stop, Nash rising, so his weight no longer crushes me. “What?”
Running my palm over his short beard, my eyes lock with his. “Next time, I will come with you. These past weeks without you were awful. I never thought I could miss someone so much. So if you ask me to come next time, I will.”
There’s no identifying the emotions that flash in Nash’s blue eyes as he tucks my hair behind my ear and slowly bends to kiss me softly.
“You have no idea what you’ve given me,” he breathes.
