Two months later
It went exactly as planned. I knew it would implode my life and I was prepared for it. I wanted nothing more than for him to tell me he loves me too and when he kissed me, or I kissed him, I can’t remember, all my worries seemed to dissipate. And now that he’s here, with me, I can’t deny it’s a dream.
I made it on my own. We made it. My folks weren’t happy and I didn’t expect anything less from them. I should have been focused on schooling. That’s what they told me. And then they sent me away. Sorin’s folks welcomed me as if I were part of the family. But it was him who surprised me because he took my hand and never let go.
The moment I walk into our apartment, I can smell the delicious fragrance of spices and I know he’s cooking. Classes started off easy, but as we both get busier, we don’t have enough time together. Even so, coming home brings me joy. I’ve found solace in the boy who was my best friend, and still is, but has also become my salvation.
“I can hear you,” he calls out when I try sneaking up on him. He turns to regard me, his smile bright. Even though he still wears black all the time and his hair is the color of a raven’s wings, there’s a light in his eyes, in his smile, that can never be extinguished.
“How was your day?” I ask as I slide up against him, needing his closeness to ease the tension from my own long-ass day.
He pulls me into his arms, and he holds me for a long moment before stepping back and grinning. “I got us something to celebrate with,” he informs me and takes my hand. We’ve both been working part-time while studying. Even though my folks didn’t want me in their home, they’ve paid my tuition. It shocked both me and Sorin, but I told him I’d take it. If I can finish my degree and move on, I’ll do it. I have a feeling it’s not both of them that are angry; more my father than my mother.
“What is this?” I ask as we step into the bedroom of our cozy apartment. There on the bed is a kitten. She’s curled up asleep, with a pink collar around her tiny neck. The peaceful purrs vibrating off her make me smile.
“She’s ours,” Sorin announces. The black cat certainly matches his color scheme in our room. I was happy to let him take the lead on furnishing the place. Black and white throughout. I didn’t expect anything less.
“You got us a kitten?”
“Why not?” He glances my way, a smile tilting the corners of his lips. And for a moment, I’m transported back to a moment in our friendship when Sorin stole my heart.
“I’m so sorry,” he tells me as we sit together on the grass. The sun has already disappeared, but I haven’t moved in hours. I can’t. The pain in my chest is like a knife slicing through me and I can’t breathe. I got home from school and found Poppy lying on the grass. My parents haven’t got home yet, but I know they’ll be as upset as I am.
She’s been in our family since I was nine, and now, I can’t imagine how it will feel without her. Sorin’s hand lands on mine, and he holds it gently. There are times I wonder if this boy is even real. He doesn’t seem to care about much, but when it comes to me, he has a way of coaxing a smile even when I’m struggling.
“She’s no longer in pain,” he whispers, and I can’t tear my gaze away from the little body that’s lying on the grass. I don’t know what happened, there’s no evidence as to what had happened. But he’s right. There is no pain where she is now. And my tears burn my lashes. When I blink at the blurry image, the salty emotion falls and I breathe in deeply to keep from breaking down once again.
“Yeah,” is all I can croak out.
“I’m sorry,” he says again, then pulls me into his arms, and we sit like that until the headlights of my father’s car illuminate our position in the garden. I know Sorin will leave soon. My dad doesn’t like him very much. But he was here when I needed him the most, and I’m thankful for it.
“Icouldn’t help you more that day,” Sorin says as if he were reading my thoughts. “But I promised myself if I ever got the chance, I would try to make you happy again.”
I look up at the man I love. The one who most people have doubted throughout his life and I smile. “You didn’t need to do this.”
He nods. “I did. I wanted to. Your happiness is mine,” he tells me as he pulls me close once more. “Every fucking moment of our lives replay in my mind daily. I couldn’t forget you even if I tried. Each time you told me a secret, and every time you would confess something you’ve wanted to do, I haven’t forgotten anything.”
“Be careful, Sorin, your kindness is showing,” I tease as I lean in to press my lips to his. His tongue snakes out, seeking mine, and they tangle together as he deepens the kiss. My hands tangle in his long hair, which is now shoulder-length, and I enjoy the soft strands as I hold him steady. We’re always in a fight for dominance, me usually bowing out because he has a natural ability to make me yield. And I enjoy it.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
He pulls me closer, impossibly so as I lean into his warmth. His hard, chiseled form moves us back until I’m pressed against the wall. His hands trail down my body, making me shiver with need to have more. To feel him inside me. It’s been a few days, and I’m ready to take this further.
Right now, all that matters is us.
And nobody can take that away.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dani is a USA Today Bestselling Author of dark and deviant romance with a seductive edge.
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, she now lives in the UK with her better half who does all the cooking while she writes all the words. When she's not writing, she can be found binge-watching the latest TV series, or working on graphic design either for herself, or other indie authors.
She enjoys reading books about handsome villains and feisty heroines, mostly dark, always seductive, and sometimes depraved. She has a healthy addiction to tattoos, coffee, and ice cream.
You can find more information on her website, www.danirene.com, or find her on social media, Instagram and Facebook being her favorites. Along with her newsletter, which you can sign up for here
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