Page 84 of Angel

Damn.

I couldn’t return the sentiment, but I also refused to destroy her tonight, not when she was still in my arms, and I was still rooted inside her.

I needed to reassure her, make her heart feel protected, even if the wound in my chest was tearing open and bleeding with mistrust and doubt.

I squeezed her hips, pressing my mouth to her temple as I struggled to hide my churning emotions.

‘Don’t go getting shy on me now, Roxy,’ I rasped, running my palm up her spine to soothe her.

‘I never meant to say that,’ she muttered into my skin, her voice layered with embarrassment.

‘Look at me,’ I commanded, cupping the back of her neck until her glistening eyes locked onto mine. ‘You never have to apologize to me for anything with me, sweetheart.’

‘You’re safe with me, Roxy, always,’ I added, brushing her cheek with my thumb.

She let out a shaky breath, burying her head under my chin.

I shifted my grip, easing out of her before lifting her out of the pool as water cascaded off our bodies onto the deck.

My head swirled, remembering how Evangeline used her declarations of love to manipulate me.

I had to remind myself that Roxy wasn’t her sister, but the fear of repeating old mistakes clawed at me like a feral beast on the inside.

‘Bed?’ I rasped as I wrapped her in a plush cotton robe.

She nodded as I scooped her up into my arms.

She rested her forehead against my torso, clutching my bare shoulders as I carried her through the shadowed house.

The air-conditioned primary bedroom was quiet, a contrast to the storm raging in my mind.

Tamping aside my churning emotions, I laid her on the mattress, crawling in beside her and pulling the duvet over our cooling skin.

She curled into me, throwing an arm over my ribs as if she belonged in my arms forever.

I pulled her close, resting my chin on top of her damp hair, staring at the ceiling fan while my thoughts ran wild.

I’d protect her with my life, but opening my damaged heart to her love was like walking blindfolded into a minefield.

I wasn’t ready, not now, perhaps not ever.

A call shattered my sleep the following dawn.

My phone vibrated against the nightstand, and I rolled over with a groan.

My stomach twisted at the sight of Evangeline’s name flashing, all sleep lethargy evaporating.

Untangling my limbs from Roxy’s sleeping form with care, I grabbed the device and slipped out onto the balcony.

I shut the glass door behind me before answering.

‘Evangeline?’ I growled, my heart thudding.

‘Angel? Oh my god, Angel, please don’t hang up.’

Her inflection was a sloppy cascade of sniffles and heaving sobs.

‘I’ve been such a fool. Everything over here is a disaster, and I - I can’t stop thinking about us.’