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“Just needed to take care of a few things, lass, that’s all.”
My head drops, and it takes all my strength to try and put sensible thoughts in my head. His fingers grip my chin, and he tilts my head towards him.
“What? What’s that look?”
“Do you hate me for trapping you? Have I gotten in-between you and someone else?”
He looks confused, and maybe a little mad. “I’m going to clean up your hand and then we’ll talk.”
He turns away and gently cleans my hand, making sure there are no pieces of glass and then covers it before clearing the broken shards form the floor.
Chapter 8
I made Cara go sit down while I made us something to eat. The truth is, I need a minute. I’m fucking furious she thinks that I’d be off somewhere fucking someone else when we’re due to get married.
Mostly though, I’m mad at myself. I shouldn’t have taken off the other day, but I felt so fucking out of control after telling my brothers the truth.
I never intended for them to find out, I don’t want them to see Ma or even Da any differently.
I finish spooning our lunch into bowls and head into the front room. Cara is on the sofa, her legs curled up under her, and her head resting on the back of the sofa, eyes closed.
I spend another minute watching her rest, her pale skin paler than normal, and I find myself worrying that she’s not taking care of herself.
Sitting there, resting so peaceful, she looks so vulnerable, and the guilt washes over me. I always intended to claim Cara. That day I saw her, just after her eighteenth birthday, I knew that I wanted her, that I was going to make her mine.
Her falling pregnant was a mistake, a mistake I’m fucking beyond happy with, but watching her now, I realise how much more her life will change compared to mine. She is giving up so much, moving halfway across the world to marry a man she doesn’t love. Hell, I’m not even sure she likes me. Well, that’s not strictly true, I know she likes me. I notice every little change in her body and her breathing when I’m near her. She wants me, maybe not as much as I want her, but she does. I’m just not sure she likes me enough to be with me.
I place our bowls on the table and take a seat beside her, my hand reaching over and gently tucking her hair behind her ear and away from her face. Her eyes slowly open and land on mine.
“I’m sorry, princess. I didn’t mean to disturb you but you need to eat.”
She nods and straightens as I pass her the bowl, her eyes darting from the bowl to mine and back again. “You made meatballs and tagliatelle?”
“Mmhmm,” I hum, never taking my eyes from her.
She looks back at me. “This is my favourite, thank you.”
“I know. The meatballs have a little mozzarella in the middle too, just how you like them.” Her beautiful brown eyes dart to mine, and I see the sparkle in them. They are so full of life and happiness, and the look that she is giving me right now gives me hope that one day she’ll learn to love me, like I already love her.
I turn on the TV, putting some chick flick on, and we settle in to watch as we eat our food in a comfortable silence.
An hour later, Cara has fallen asleep, resting on my arm, her hand on my abs, and it’s taking everything in me to control my reaction to her. I want her. I want to do things to her, with her, things that she is nowhere near experienced enough for. I’m going to enjoy helping her gain that experience, I just hope that it’s something she’ll enjoy just as much.
My phone ringing pulls me from my thoughts. I try to silence it before it disturbs her, but she starts to stir as I answer.
“Hey, Liv, what’s up?”
“Hey, Finn, do you have much on today?”
“Mmm, not really.” I glance down at Cara. I know she’s awake, but she hasn’t really moved.
“Maddie is being a demon, she hasn’t seen you for a week, she misses you and wants you to come over, if you have some time…”
I smile into the phone. I frigging love that kid. “Absolutely. Why don’t you pack a bag for her, and she can stay over tonight?”
“You don’t have to do that, Finn, just a couple of hours should keep her happy.” Liv sounds surprised that I’d suggest Mads can stay over.
“I’m serious, Liv. I’ve not seen her for a few days, and I am after all her favourite uncle.”
