I’m in trouble.I’m in trouble. I’m in trouble.
Her words spun through my head on a loop. Garbled and distorted.
My greatest fucking fear.
All while I stood there staring at the three kids who were on the opposite side of the clearing, up high and tucked beneath the shade of the trees. My spirit felt like it was going to fail as Daisy kept her hand locked around my bicep.
So warm and right and…
I whirled toward her. The movement ripped her hand free. I couldn’t handle her touching me. Reminding me of who I once was.
Though, apparently, I was a fucking masochist because I dipped in close to her face and got slammed with the scent I could never forget.
That sweet floral aura that was dosed with a shot of vanilla.
My guts tangled in a fit of memories. The way she’d sneak into my room at night through my window. My arm wrapped around her as she rested her head on my shoulder.
My nose pressed into her hair.
My best friend who I’d sworn to never touch.
Razors slashed at my throat as I swallowed the reaction down, and I hissed, “Tell me what the fuck is going on.”
Daisy’s face blanched and her hand remained suspended in the air, like she was frozen in the spot where she’d been holding onto me.
Pleading.
Begging.
Fuck.
Why did she have to be even more damned beautiful than she was then?
Cheeks high and carved, her jaw almost sharp except for the dimple in the middle of her chin. Lips pouty and plush and twisted in a delicate, tempting bow.
All her angles were now sharper, but there were still hints of that softness that promised she was just as sweet as she’d ever been. Kind and shy and a little goofy, one of my favorite things about her. The way she came stumbling out of the river was like a shot of the past plucked right from my memories.
Though I could see she was written in traumas now. Could sense the fear that emanated from her soft, delicate flesh.
I nearly buckled at the thought, but I let the rage that forever simmered keep me standing.
“I…” She blinked those cornflower eyes. “We need to talk.”
“Obviously, which is why I’m asking you to tell me what the hell is going on.” I kept the words low so thethree freaking kidsshe had on my property wouldn’t overhear.
Apparently, retribution was standing on my doorstep.
A penalty for my sins.
All the things I could never have dangled in front of me.
Daisy glanced at her children who danced around on the blanket, giggling and squealing since Duke had made his way over to them, the little traitor licking their faces and acting like they were welcome.
“You got a dog, mister man?” the youngest girl called, screeching with joy as Duke basically mauled her with love.
I couldn’t even respond.
My throat closed off and my chest stretched so tight it was impossible to draw air into my lungs.
