I wink at her and shuffle the deck. “Worried I’ll beat your ass?”
She huffs just like I knew she would. “You’re dreaming! I always beat you.”
With those words, we set up the candles and then sit down at the table. “Prepare to get your ass kicked, sweetheart!”
She snorts and her eyes sparkle. My heart beats faster, my palms sweating.
Every time she looks at me I can’t help myself. I want her. I’ve always wanted her. I’ve lost everything that made my life worth living. In the most horrific way possible.
But there’s still life and hope out there and right now it’s sitting right in front of me and it’s wearing a pretty smile and a wicked twinkle in her soft gray eyes.
We deal out the cards and I grin. “Ladies first.”
She grins. “Prepare to go down, buddy.”
Lord, she has no idea how true those words are. I’m already falling and no matter how hard I try, I don’t think that’s ever going to change.
I am in love with my angel. Have been for a lifetime. And though life has taken some twists and turns, with her right now, I’m alright.
“You have a dog?” she says and I wink.
“Go fish, baby!”
Hours later, we’re both giggling and half-lit after drinking a glass or two of wine.
Like an idiot, I can’t help saying, “I’ve missed you, angel.”
Her shimmery eyes look up and I swear she can see all the way to my soul.
“I missed you too.”
And then she falls over and I swear and catch her as she falls off the chair.
I chuckle when she sighs and sinks into me. The curve of her cheek rests right in the crook of my arm and she fits me like she’s been made for me.
I can’t believe that she’s here and so am I.
The lights flicker and thunder rolls. Then the lights go out and I groan, reaching out for my phone to turn on the flashlight. I take slow, careful steps.
Because there’s no way in hell that I’d let anything happen to my angel after I’ve finally found her again.
I slip into her room and settle her on her bed but then I look around and I can’t leave her in here alone. That damn drawer is still open. I can almost smell the smell of him in here.
I sigh and cover her lightly with a blanket and then I slip off my boots and my jeans, laying down on top of the covers.
I close my eyes and I’m sure that I’m never going to fall asleep. It’s been so long since I had a full night of sleep.
But I hear the soft sigh of her breath and my heart slows, a smile curling my lips.
And I slip into the first bit of real sleep I think I’ve had in forever.
CHAPTER 11
Harper
“Good morning, angel. You look good in this light.”
My eyes flutter. And then I hear soft breathing and feel a warm body next to me.
