Those two words probably more difficult for her to say than one might think.
But I know the struggles she faces, and I understand her apprehension about accepting any assistance.
I've gone through life alone—always the fixer and the one people counted on. It's what I'm good at, what I'm used to. But year after year, I realized there was no one that I could count on. It was me against the world, and once you live that long enough, the isolation is daunting. Maybe that's what I saw in Cora, maybe that's why I was immediately drawn to her. I saw pieces of myself in her strength and willingness to persevere. I wanted to help her because, in a way, it was like I was helping myself—a past version of me, perhaps. She's young, impressionable still, and if I saved her from herself, maybe I could prevent her from turning out anything like me.
And maybe if I could help her, I wouldn't be a total lost cause. Saving her might be the very thing that saves me.
"What do you need me to do?" I say into her hair and press a soft kiss on top of her head.
"This is nice." She moves her hand from my chest, up my neck, and tilts my face down toward hers.
My dick betrays me by twitching right against her ass but instead of jumping off my lap, she grins and says, "Kiss me."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." Cora tugs me closer.
I comply, kissing her with ease even though I want nothing more than to ravish her. I had been missing her terribly since our first sleepover, and despite having convinced myself that she was better off without me and that I was destined to live a life of loveless solitude, it never once mended my aching heart or stopped the incessant thoughts of her. Our sex was otherworldly, but even our conversation and banter were top notch, too. I hadn't had that much fun in all my life, and I had her to thank for it.
But with that, the longing I felt nearly unraveled me. My job suffered, my sleep and appetite were non-existent, and no matter what I did, I couldn't make it fucking stop.
So, when my phone rang and it was her on the other end, I knew there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for her.
And if dying at the hands of Ricardo Gardella is what it takes, I'll do it to keep her safe.
25
CORA
Idon't want to feel anything other than Silver's mouth on mine, his hands on my body, and his hardness pressing up against me.
I breathe into him and kiss him deeper, my body reacting as I climb onto his lap fully and straddle him. His palms slide under the T-shirt of his that I'm wearing and mine dig into his hair. Grinding along him, I'm reminded that I'm very much on my fucking period.
"What's wrong?" he asks while resting his forehead on mine.
I swallow and consider my next words carefully, deciding the easiest thing is to just tell the truth. "I'm on my period."
Silver smirks. "I'm aware."
"You are?"
"You made it a point to have me stop and get you tampons last night."
My cheeks flush red. "You're joking."
"Where do you think all those boxes on the counter in the bathroom came from?"
I distance myself and cover my mouth. "Oh my God. That's so embarrassing."
Silver looks me straight in the eyes when he says, "What's embarrassing about a little blood?" He lifts me from the couch, my legs wrapping around his body and him securing me with just one hand. "Are you uncomfortable with doing things right now?"
"Definethings." I hold onto him as he carries us toward the bedroom.
"There isn't anything I wouldn't do to you." He kisses me long and slow and heat swells between my legs, my libido heightened while on my period.
How fucking convenient.
Silver pauses his attention on my lips. "I'd go down on you right now if you'd let me."
