Page 135

‘Can I have some breakfast, FRIENDS?’ our little rascal called out, throwing his hands in the air as he stalked away, leaving us chuckling.

Chapter 27

ANA

Having Deacon back was pure heaven.

We spent most of the following two weeks together before he left for his next run of stadium shows.

He stayed at my house every night, ate dinner with Raff, helped him with his homework, and put him to sleep.

Then we went to bed.

We refrained from sex, choosing to exchange soft touches, long hugs, and gentle kisses as we took things slow.

‘I know you have reservations,’ he told me one night as we lay beside each other. ‘You’ve been hurt, beautiful, and healing takes time. I’ll wait, malkia, until you feel safe with me, until you’ve put the past to rest.’

‘Speaking of,’ I murmured, turning to face him and propping myself up on one elbow. ‘Nashami.’

He groaned, turned away, and shook his head.

I burst out laughing.

‘That bad or that good?’ I teased.

He shook his head, sighed, and met my gaze.

‘Look, she’s a smart, beautiful girl, for the most part, but it was two drinks, a kiss, and a non-event at her house. I couldn’t go through with it. Things didn’t work out.’

‘Why?’

‘Why do you think?’ he muttered.

The mood shifted as he faced me, moved closer, and stroked my hair.

‘I can’t put into words what you mean to me. Step inside my heart for a minute and you’ll understand; it’s not a choice. It never was. It’s you. Every time. Sit with that, beautiful.’

I took a breath, reached out, and ran my hand over his cheek.

‘I hear you, and I appreciate your patience with me,’ I told him.

‘Of course,’ he winked. ‘As long as you’re okay with ramping things up a little more each time I see you, until neither of us can take it anymore.’

‘Deal.’

The truth was, I was still raw from Max’s betrayal, and I appreciated that Deacon was giving me time to work through my emotions.

The last thing I wanted was to hurt him.

My career remained in limbo.

I refused to take dangerous international news assignments, but I wasn’t keen to pivot to safe, dull fashion shoots for Vogue or Marie Claire.

However, style-magazine jobs were the only options my manager, Sue, kept putting in front of me, and I continued to refuse them.

One morning, Christine offered to drop Raff at school, and I accepted, grateful for the chance to spend time with my ex-not-ex.

Deacon and I sat at the breakfast table, with me on his lap and his arms wrapped around me from behind.