I still can’t believe Amelia did that. Hurt her own sister like that. And that it isn’t the first time it’s happened.You hurt her too, dumbass.
Douglass yawns and rubs at her eyes. “What time is it?”
“Around eight, I think.”
I almost get pushed off the side of the bed when she jackknifes into a sitting position and kicks off the half of the bedspread I folded over her like a burrito.
“I need to go wake Natalie up. She’s going to be pissed she missed the sunrise.”
Douglass tries to roll away from me, but I grab her.
“She’s fine. I heard her up and about.” Not wanting to start the morning off like this, but knowing we can’t avoid it, I say, “After you fell asleep, I read your journals.”
Those gorgeous hazels of hers shine with fresh tears. “I shouldn’t have dumped everything on you like that.”
Keeping her in my arms, I shift to lie down so we’re facing one another. With my free hand, I tuck her mussed hair behind her ears.
“I’m glad you told me.” I place my finger to her mouth when she starts to protest. “Does Harper know?”
Douglass shakes her head. “Only Mason.”
Yeah, not going to lie. I didn’t like reading that part. How another man was there for her when it should have been me.
“What happens now?” Douglass meekly asks, her eyes searching my face.
There’s so much more we need to discuss, but I know it’ll have to be baby steps with her. She doesn’t trust me not to hurt her again. I’ll have to prove to her that she can. For now, I’m going with keeping things light and easy. We can deal with the hard stuff later.
Hoping to put her at ease, I reply, “First, I’m going to properly kiss you good morning. Second, I’m going to make you the best omelet you’ve ever tasted.”
She pushes against my chest and sits up, and I soak in the beauty of a sleep-disheveled Douglass. Sunlight coming in from the window bathes her in a dewy glow and brings out the lighter red tones in each strand. I’ve never seen hair that color before.
“I don’t get you.”
Bending my elbow and propping my cheek on my fist, I ask, “How so?”
Douglass waves her hands around like she’s swatting at invisible flies. “After what I told you, why in the hell would you want anything to do with me, let alone kiss me?”
“You’re a very smart woman, and that’s a very dumb question. And just to be clear, kissing you isn’t the only thing I want to do to you.”
“Jordan, I’m being serious. And for Pete’s sake, put some clothes on. It’s hard to think when you’re all…like that.”
Amused, I intentionally rub my hands over my torso. Her gaze travels over my chest and abs, flicks to the obvious bulge in my underwear, then skirts away. She sighs, but it’s not from irritation.
“I like you not thinking. You think too damn much.”
Her mouth purses to the side. “Intellect isn’t a bad thing.”
“It is when it stops you from going after what you want. Luckily, I don’t have that problem.”
Douglass yelps when I tackle her back down to the bed, pinning her underneath me and trying my best to ignore how hard I am right now and how much I want to devour every inch of her. Soon.
“Now hush so I can kiss you.”
“Jordan.”
“Douglass.” I lean in, and she slaps a palm over her mouth.
“Morning breath,” she mumbles through closed fingers.
