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* * *
Hours later,Julian slipped his arm from beneath Skylar, causing her to stir in her sleep. He shifted into a better position with her back pressed against his front. She sighed when he put his arm around her again.
After she’d told him that her rapist’s wife had killed herself, she hadn’t wanted to talk anymore. Silently, she’d taken his hand and led him into her bedroom, then changed into her short nightgown as he watched, uncertain what she wanted him to do. After she climbed into her bed, she said, “Sleep with me?”
He’d quickly stripped down to his briefs, then climbed into bed with her, and she’d settled into his arms.
Two weeks ago, he’d said goodbye. Today, he’d told her he loved her. And because of Asshole, she’d told him the secret that she’d been holding close all that time.
Where was this all going to lead them? He wasn’t sure.
But they were going to find out.
“Julian?”
“I’m here.”
She laughed and pushed her ass back against him. “Yeah, I can tell.”
He winced. “Sorry. It’s not really something I can control.”
“What makes you think I want you to? Other than now you know I was raped, and a woman killed herself because of it, has—has it changed how you feel about me?”
“What?” He quickly put her on her back and positioned himself over her. “No. Don’t ever think that. The only thing that has changed is that now I know you’re even more of a warrior than I thought you were.”
A look of relief passed over her face, and she reached up, putting her hands on either side of his waist. “I don’t feel like a warrior. I don’t blame myself for the rape, but I blame myself for that poor woman killing herself. If I hadn’t rushed in and pursued him, been so controlled by passion that I got involved with a married man, and a violent one at that, then all of it wouldn’t have happened.”
“I know you think there’s a difference, princess, but that’s just another way for you to blame yourself for something that wasn’t your fault, thinking that if you’d done something different, she wouldn’t have died.”
“But shekilledherself . . . ”
“And that wasn’t your fault. If it was anyone’s, it was his. And ultimately, it was her choice. It wasn’t your fault. Can you say that for me? Can you say it’s not your fault?”
She tried. For him, she really tried. But she couldn’t do it.
Slowly, she shook her head.
He kissed each of her temples, then her lips. “It’s okay. Hopefully, someday you can. Until then, I’ll be right here to remind you.”
.
* * *
Julian openedhis eyes when he sensed movement beside him. He’d fallen asleep, but it was still dark outside. A quick glance at the clock beside Skylar’s bed told him it was just past eleven.
“Hi.”
He looked up as Skylar walked into the room. She was wearing a cute flowery shirt and faded jeans.
“Don’t get me wrong. You look smoking hot in those jeans, but why are you wearing them?” he said.
“I had to run to the corner store while you were sleeping to stock up on breakfast supplies for tomorrow morning.”
“I prefer waffles, not pancakes.”
“You’ll have to go back to the store then. But I could make French toast?”
“Even better. Come here.”
