AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Summer,” he murmurs, turning towards me, his voice rough yet soothing.
“Did you ever think we’d end up here with two losers like us?” he asks, his voice low and laden with emotion.
“Never,” I breathe, resting my head on his shoulder. “You two are perfect and I wouldn’t change either of you for the world.”
Reaching out tentatively to touch his face, but as my fingers graze his cheek, he flinches away, his eyes darkening. The recent car bomb explosion left him with injuries that have yet to fully heal - a constant reminder of the dangers that lurk around every corner.
“Sorry,” I whisper, pulling my hand back. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“No, it’s not that,” he mumbles, looking away. “It’s just hard sometimes.”
“Talk to me,” I say softly, sensing the depth of his struggle. “I want to be here for you, Cathal.”
He hesitates, as if weighing whether or not to open himself up to me. Finally, he takes a shaky breath, his eyes meeting mine again. “Being touched, it brings back memories. Of things best left forgotten.”
“I know, baby,” I murmur to him, reaching for his hand this time, taking care to be gentle. “I’m so sorry for what you had to go through.”
Cathal hesitates but then tightens his grip around my hand, and I can see the conflict in his eyes - the desire to push past his pain and embrace the love we share, warring against the fear that holds him back.
“Let me help you,” I urge him, our faces inches apart. “I want to be there for you. Always.”
“Promise me,” he says, his voice raw and vulnerable. “Promise you won’t let go, even when it’s hard.”
“I promise. I’m not going anywhere.”
Cathal takes a deep breath and nods, unshed tears shining in his eyes. “Summer,” he whispers softly, his intense green eyes searching my face as if trying to read my every thought. “I need you to keep pushing me. Help me become the man you deserve.”
Smiling at his sincerity, even as I see the insecurity lurking beneath the surface, it’s almost hard to believe that this gentle, vulnerable man is the same fierce and possessive Cathal Gannon who dominates any room he enters. We’ve been through so much together in such a short amount of time.
“Of course, I will.” Being bold, I gently trace the line of his jaw with my finger. The muscles beneath my touch tense, but he doesn’t pull away—a testament to how desperately he’s battling his demons.
“Please, don’t stop touching me,” he murmurs, his face contorting with a mix of pleasure and pain. “Even when it feels like too much, I need you to keep going. Show me I’m worth fighting for.”
My soul breaks at the rawness of his words, and I lean in to press a feather-light kiss on his forehead. “You don’t have to convince me, Cathal. I know you’re worth it.”
As we sit there, my hand resting gently on his chest, I feel the steady thud of his heartbeat beneath my palm. Each beat resonates within me, echoing the rhythm of my own heart. The world outside seems to fade away.
“Thank you, Summerbell,” Cathal says softly, his eyes shimmering with gratitude. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“Actually, I think I do,” I say, a small smile playing on my lips. “Because I need you just as much as you need me.”
His hand moves to cover mine, the warmth of his skin seeping into me and a tingle over my skin. The connection between us is undeniable—a force that transcends any obstacle life might throw in our path.
“Then let’s keep fighting together,” he vows, the steel in his voice belying the vulnerability in his eyes. “For each other, for Ciarán and for this life we are trying to build here.”
“Always,” I promise, sealing the vow with another tender kiss.
Cathal’s eyes burn with determination, a fierceness that I’ve grown to admire in him. “No matter what happens,” he swears, his voice low and unwavering, “I won’t let my past ruin what we have, Summer. We deserve better than that.”
I study his face, the lines of pain etched there, and I know he means every word. My heart swells with affection for this man who has been through so much, yet still finds it within himself to love me.
“Okay,” I say softly, nodding my agreement. “But you have to promise me something, Cathal.”
“Anything,” he replies, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Promise me that if it ever becomes too much—if you need to stop or take a step back—you’ll tell me,” I insist, my voice firm but gentle. “I want to help you, but I can’t do that if you don’t communicate with me.”
He hesitates, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. But then he nods, taking a deep breath. “I promise, Summer.”
