For the first time in my life, I felt the ugliness of self-doubt. For the first time, my chest felt so damn tight that I could hardly take a decent breath. Within a split second, my confidence had forsaken me, making me feel naked and exposed. I despised the feeling. I hated it. The tidal wave of vulnerability that crashed against my being made me feel weak. She made me feel weak.Why?Because of the words that demanded to be spoken.
I placed my hand over hers, squeezing it tight. “Because, Tatum. I realized killing you won’t save me…but loving you will.”
The second those words left my heart and spilled out of my mouth, the veil that had been the last obstacle between us, that kept us both from realizing our souls were meant to be one, tore in half. It was like a weight had been lifted, and the confusion I had felt ever since Tatum came crashing into my life was gone. And by the way she stared at me with her tender gaze, caressing my skin, I knew she felt the same.
I pulled her against me and kissed her like I’d never kissed her before. Everything I felt right then had me overcome with so many emotions, my heart wanted to explode.Was I in love with Tatum Linscott?
Of course you are, dumb ass. You just said it out loud.
The soft whimpers she made as our tongues danced together in one rush of need made my chest ache as I longed for her in a way I’d never longed for any other woman. Her body was no longer the one thing I desired the most…I wanted all of her, and I wanted it for the rest of my fucking life.
I moaned in protest as she pulled her lips from mine. I wasn’t done. I wanted more…so much more…and I wanted it now.
“Castello.”
“Shhh, little mouse. Let me have you.” I tried to pull her closer, but she pressed her hands against my chest.
“Castello, I’m not feeling too good.”
“It’s just the shock, baby.” I leaned down, wanting to feel her lips against mine. “Let me make you feel good.”
Her hands were still on my chest, and she jerked her head to side. “Castello, stop. Something’s wrong.”
Her voice sounded shaky, and I grabbed her face in my hands. She was as pale as a ghost.
“Tatum, what’s wrong?”
“I…I don’t—”
Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, and then her entire body went limp. I wrapped my arms around her and carried her over to the bed.
“Tatum! Tatum, wake up! Jesus.”
Fuck!
I ran to the bedroom door and swung it open. “Someone call Doc, now!”
Chapter 11
TATUM
The sound of faraway voices started to slowly drag me back to reality.
“What’s wrong with her, Doc?”
“I’m not sure. But her vitals seem fine. It might be stress.”
“Stress?”
“She’s been through a hell of an ordeal, Castello. It was only a matter of time for her brain to call for a time-out.”
“Time-out? Is that what you call just collapsing without any apparent reason? A time-fucking-out?”
“Castello, try to relax. Everything seems fine. She just needs to rest.”
The door closed, and I finally managed to open my eyes.
“Castello?”