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Her words take a moment to sink in.Followed him here?
“Wait—Christian came here with you?” I ask.
“Not exactly. We have two separate cars. He’s currently sitting in his staring at your cottage. Looking very much like a lovesick puppy.” She cackles, bringing a smile to my face.
Rosie dusts the grass off her pants, rising and reaching her hand out, so I take it and stand too. Eagerness to see Christian suddenly builds under my skin, and I long to have his arms wrap around me so I can inhale the scent that is just his.
As though reading one another’s minds, we walk toward the front of the house.
“I’m gonna leave you alone to reconnect with your man, but can we exchange numbers?” she asks quietly, holding out her phone.
“I would love that.” I grab it and quickly type in my number. “Let’s grab some coffee this week?”
“Yes!! Did you hear about the new kitty café that opened up?” she gestures animatedly as we continue to walk.
“Umm no, but I’m in!” I exclaim, feeling lighter than I have in days. Could it actually be this easy?
We round the side of my house and my eyes lock on Christian. He’s sitting in an unfamiliar truck, just looking at my house. It would be creepy if I wasn’t so damn happy to see him.
Rosie squishes me with a quick hug, releasing me quickly.
“Sorry! I’m a hugger and you’re my long-lost twin!” she yells, tossing me a wave as she hustles to her car. “I’ll text you later!”
“See you soon!” I call back, but all of my attention is on the man climbing down from yet another new truck. His muscles bunch, making my mouth water as he drops to the ground.
Propelled by my desperation to get to him, I once again run toward this man.Jeez, I hate running.
We come together rapidly, and he lifts me in his arms, crushing me against his chest.
“Penny, please, please forgive me,” he whispers into my ear, cupping the back of my head. “I was a fucking idiot and I can’t lose you.”
Chapter Seventeen
Christian
Penny’s curves fit against my hard muscles perfectly, and my body finally relaxes. Having her in my arms makes me feel whole again, and I drop my head against the nape of her neck, crushing her into me.
There is no way for me to apologize for the way she found out about her DNA results, and only time will tell what the fallout will be. All I know is that the Swann’s are dying to meet her, but that’s her decision.
If she’ll just let me back in her life, I won’t push. These past two days have been the most miserable of my life—caught between despair and longing. Needing to be with Penny, but trying to respect her wishes.
“I’m sorry, Little Bird, so sorry. I never meant to turn your world upside down,” I mutter into her apple-scented hair.
“Christian, I’m not mad at you,” she protests, craning her neck to look at me. Unlocking her legs from around my waist, sheslides to the ground. Gripping her tighter, I refuse to let go, needing to feel her body pressed against mine.
“You should be,” I say, my voice filled with despair.
“No thank you,” she snarks at me firmly. “You didn’t mean for this to hurt me. And I don’t think it has, not really.”
Her sweet voice registers in my ear, and it is the best sound I have ever heard. Gratitude washes over me in waves.She isn’t sending me away. She doesn’t hate me.
“Let’s go inside,” she says, disentangling herself, but reaching for my hand, somehow knowing how badly I need that reassurance.
As we enter the cottage, I take it all in again. We head toward the den and I love the homey feel, the cheerful pops of color—the little goat rushing through the back door, galloping straight for me.
Chaos charges me as fast as his little legs will carry him, lowering his horns and taking aim directly at my crotch. Twisting so he ends up head-butting me right in the thigh.
“Damn,” I yell, trying to avoid his second assault as he rears up, going for another shot. I turn sideways just in time to avoid a narrow miss of my balls.
