“I’m right here, Penelope.I’ll always be right here.Wherever you are, whatever you need, I’ll be by your side.Always,” he vows.
“Promise?”I demand in a wobbly voice.
“Yes.I promise,” he says.
It hurts too much to cry, but there’s no stopping the sobs or the tears streaming down my face.
Silent and supportive, he drives through the city streets as he holds my hand and offers me comfort with gentle strokes of his thumb over my scarred wrist.
I must tell him what happened at the jewelry store and why I was a total nutcase afterward while I have him in my room tonight or I’ll never get the courage.My head throbs and heart aches, but I must reveal a dark, horrible truth before I fall deeper in love with him.
There is no going back.I want Sebastian Sterling too much to give up.
I love him.Always have.Always will.
Maybe one day I’ll get the courage to tell him, or maybe he already knows, but I’ll never shut myself away from the world without him again.
He is my world.My knight in shining armor.My place of belonging.
My home.
Chapter 16
Sebastian Sterling
Peter opens his doorbefore I shut the apartment door behind me.Even though the sun has yet to rise and we snuck out long after it set, he steps into the hall with alert eyes and worry emanating from him.
Despite our rocky start, I respect him and his friendship with Penelope.After flicking on the hallway light and tightening his robe around himself, he looks Penelope over from head to toe.Concern mars his perfectly plucked brow.
“What happened?”he demands.
“I fell.I’m okay,” she lies.
“She’s not okay.She concussed herself,” I say.
He scowls and swings angry eyes at me.Surprise widens his lashes as he studies my face.He turns his attention back to Penelope.
“Please tell me you did that to him,” he says.
She shakes her head and grimaces.His expression falls.
“It was Mr.Carter,” Penelope says.
Laughter brightens Peter’s green gaze.
“That’s what the stupid jock gets for stalking my friend like a creep.I’m a little disappointed Mr.Carter didn’t do more damage,” he fake pouts.
I lift a brow.So much for respecting each other.
“Can we catch up later?I’m tired,” Penelope admits.My senses sharpen on her.She’s too pale.
“Of course, babe.Do you want me to kick him out or is he welcome here?”he asks.
I grit my teeth as he ignores me, but I’d rather chop off my own foot than drive a wedge between Penelope and her best friend.
“He’s sleeping in my room with me,” Penelope declares.
Every muscle in my body seizes with want.
