Before I can respond, he walks out, leaving me staring down at the bundle. I put them on the desk and start with the first one, not knowing if they’re in order, but I don’t suppose it matters much.
I pull out the paper, open it up, and start reading.
Dear Delphi,
You looked beautiful today. You look beautiful every day, but today, I don’t know, it was as if you had a glow about you. Every time you smiled at me it felt like the sun breaking through the clouds. Jesus, I sound like a sappy prick.
I snort because he’s not wrong. I don’t think poetry is going to be Kruger’s calling, but there is something to be said for a man who’ll wear his heart on his sleeve like that. Consequences be damned.
You asked me for a ride into town because Snake was busy, and I was happy to spend time alone with you, even if I knewit was wrong. Snake would gut me if he knew how I really felt about his wife.
I swear I can still smell you now, hours after you’ve gone. All I think about is breathing you in as I bury myself inside you, but instead, I’m halfway through a bottle of Jack,wondering if I should just transfer to another chapter before I lose my shit completely.
There’s a crooked line across the paper, and that’s where it ends, making me wonder if he passed out before he could finish.
I pull out the next letter and start reading again.
Dear Delphi,
I nearly beat a man to death today. I caught him trying to follow you into the bathroom at the diner. I dragged him out and beat him until Midas could pull me off. The thought of him touching you, or forcing you to do anything, makes me want to find the motherfucker again and set fire to him.
I ended up leaving, worried I’d scare you if you saw me because I’d never be able to stop myself from holding you, just to remind myself that you were safe.
I put the letter back in the envelope and carry the stack to the bedroom, spreading them out on the bed in front of me. There must be hundreds of them.Part of me wants to rip them open and devour them. But another part of me is scared. Scared they’ll be like Pandora’s box, that I’ll unleash something I can’t put the lid back on.
With a shaky hand, I pick up another envelope, knowing there’s no turning back now.
Dear Delphi…
I read until my eyes hurt before I force myself to put them away in the drawer next to the bed. I strip out of my dress and slip on a pair of pink candy-striped PJ shorts and a white T-shirt before making my way downstairs.
The TV is playing some old eighties movie, and the food Havoc picked up is lying out cold on the coffee table. I walk around the sofa and see Kruger fast asleep, his head bent at an awkward angle. I slide my hand over his jaw, feeling the stubble against my palm before I dip and press my lips to his.
His eyes flutter open before locking with mine. “Delphi?”
“You shouldn’t have to sleep on the sofa in your own home.”
“I don’t mind?—”
“I do. I’m not ready for anything more than this right now, and I’m sorry about that. I feel like I’m the carrot and you’re the horse chasing me.”
“Baby, I’ll chase your cute ass anywhere.”
I chuckle before tugging on his hand. “Good, then you can follow me upstairs.”
His eyes widen before he jumps to his feet.
“Easy tiger. I’m offering to share the bed with you, not my body.”
“I’m okay with that. More than okay with that.”
“Yeah?”
“Fuck yeah.” He leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Thank you.”
“I’m doing it more for me than you.”
“Oh, you are, are you?”
