Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 158635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 793(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 793(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
“That wasn’t what you said about Jonah. I don’t understand how you can change your mind like this.”
“Jonah was a fucker who’s locked up for it.” Her voice hardens before it lowers to her usual melodic tone. “Jeremy is the man who helped Cecily fight her demons.”
“What demons?”
“You’re well aware of how much she changed after secondary school. She hasn’t laughed this openly or smiled this freely in a long time. Our dads even suggested we take her to therapy due to her zoning out episodes, but she refused and waved us off. We should be glad that she found someone who can help her heal.”
“You and I could’ve done that just fine.”
“Sometimes, we’re not enough, and that’s okay, Xan. Letting her go is okay.”
I close my eyes and release a long sigh. “I don’t know how. It took so much in me to even let her study at a faraway university and now this. It’s like we’re losing her.”
“We’re not. We’re just letting her spread her wings and be her own person.” She kisses my cheeks. “Besides, we’ll always have each other.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure, considering how the bastard easily seduced you.”
“Aw, are you jealous of a twenty-four-year-old who happens to be your daughter’s boyfriend?”
I wrap my arm around her waist and she gasps as I slam her to my side. “You know I don’t like it when you’re close to any other man.”
“Aside from our dads and Kir.”
“Even they get on my nerves when they confiscate your time.”
“Xan!” She laughs, running her fingers over my stubbled chin. “You will never change, will you?”
“Not in this lifetime, Green.”
“Good. Because I love you just the way you are.”
I groan, each of her touches causing a zip of pleasure that ends in my cock.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re seducing me to distract me from the unwanted presence under our roof.”
She bites her lower lip and brushes a kiss against my mouth, then whispers, “Is it working?”
“You know it is.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” She leans over, her voice dropping to a seductive drawl. “Take me to our bedroom, husband.”
“You’re killing me, Green.”
I fall straight into her trap and carry her to bed. Not only will I never be able to resist this woman, but I’ll also never get enough of her.
Even though I still can’t come to terms with losing my daughter, Kim will eventually make me see reason.
She always does.
She’s been my home, my peace, and the love of my life ever since we were children.
Not everyone gets to call their childhood friend the love of their life, but I do, and I’ll spend the rest of my days showing her exactly how lucky I am that she’s my Green.
Once upon a time, she picked me as her knight, and I chose her as my queen.
37
CECILY
I can’t sleep.
After what seems like hours of tossing and turning, I throw off the covers and jump out of bed.
My visit home has been entirely hijacked by Jeremy, and despite the initial shock, having him here, seeing him with my mum, and actually taking Papa’s non-subtle threats has made my heart so full.
I never thought things would go like this, but a part of me is rejoicing at the sudden turn of events. The part that’s been squeezed to death for missing him since I left him and only started breathing correctly when I saw him standing in our house.
Instead of going straight to the door, I smooth my sleeping shirt, pat my cheeks, and spray on some perfume from my vanity.
I stare at my face in the mirror, and for the first time in years, I don’t look away in disgust. I don’t see my reflection sulking back.
In fact, I feel pretty and I smile, and that appears soft under my side lamp’s light. My room is the inspiration for the one on Brighton Island. Manga pages cover the walls and the ceiling, torn in places from when Papa wasn’t careful. We didn’t have outside help when we decorated my room. One weekend, Mum and Papa wore their goofy overalls, posed at the door like wannabe decorators, and said we’d do this shit.
We spent the whole day rearranging and pasting pages. Mum giggled at some clichéd scenes and said I take loving romance stories after her. Papa frowned at some of my manga choices.
That’s one of my favorite memories.
After making sure I’m presentable enough, I head to my door. It’s late, so hopefully, Papa is asleep. If he’s not and is watching over Jeremy’s room, I’ll just pretend that I need something from the kitchen.
Jeez. Who knew sneaking about in your own home would be this nerve-racking?
I’m about to open the door when a dark shadow slips in from the open balcony. I’m frozen in place for a fraction of a second before I run toward the door.