Page 44 of Mine
‘Don’t be,’ my lips split open in a small smile as I rest my backside on the kitchen counter beside the cooker. She’s relaxed around me since our conversation the other night. The stolen glances she fires my way no longer alternate between looking like she wants to fight me or fuck me.
No, now she simply looks at me with a combination of curiosity and longing.
‘How did you swing that?’ She stares at me in open wonder.
‘I made a phone call to the principal. Her husband served time with Ciaran a few years ago.’
‘No way.’ Her tone is incredulous.
I huff out a breath. ‘She assured me that if I made a hefty and public donation to the school, your new surname wouldn’t be a problem. They’ll take all the help they can get.’
‘Really?’ She beams at me, and it stirs something in my sternum—something warm and gratifying.
It hits me then, just how much I want to make her happy.
I want her to beam at me like that every damn day. Like I hung the fucking moon. And not just because I want to get into her lingerie again, which I absolutely do, but because when she smiles at me like that she makes me feel something that I haven’t felt in a long time, she makes me feel like I’m a good person.
I’m not.
And I don’t pretend to be.
I’ve accepted that I’m going straight to hell. But when those big blue eyes bore into mine, for a while… I forget all the horror I’ve seen and done. I forget there’s anything else in the world but her and me.
‘You’ll have to take security until our mutual friend has been dealt with. But they’ll wait discreetly in the car park and escort you to and from the premises—if that’s what you still want.’
‘It is. More than anything.’ Her irises flare like she just thought of something else she might like more.
She only has to say the word. I’m biding my time because I can’t have her freaking out on me again, but make no mistake, I want her. And I will have her—but only when she’s ready.
‘I told you, you don’t need to work while you’re with me, but I’ll never take your independence.’ I swirl the wine in my glass. ‘Not when you fought so hard to gain it.’
Her eyes well and for an awful second, I think she might cry, but no, it’s worse. She reaches out and touches my torso, and the way it makes my chest ache, she may as well have torn it right out of my ribcage.
‘Thank you,’ she whispers, tearing her fingers away, turning her attention back to the food.
‘It must be hard for you, being cooped up here all day.’ I mutter gruffly. She’s barely left the house since she got here.
‘It couldn’t be any easier. I feel guilty for doing nothing.’ She shakes her head with a sad little sigh. ‘I’ve never had time to read or relax. My entire existence has been a whirlwind. An uphill battle. This is the first time in my adult life that someone hit the pause button. It’s disturbing how quickly I’ve adapted.’
‘I’m glad. I know you wouldn’t have chosen this, but itwill solve our mutual problem. How are the wedding plans coming along?’
‘Everything is in order.’ She nods.
‘I’ve given the list of guests to the wedding planner. Is there anyone you want to invite?’ I know she doesn’t have any living family other than her father, but surely there’s someone who would show up simply for her?
‘There’s only one.’ She shrugs. ‘Abby, my friend.’
‘The friend you still haven’t called yet…’ I arch an eyebrow but don’t push her for a reason. ‘The invites will go out at very short notice. It won’t give people a lot of time, but that’s the whole point.’
‘Willheknow?’
I don’t need to ask who he is. ‘No. I specifically asked the wedding planner to keep them vague. Dominic and Aoife cordially invite you to their wedding, etc.’
Relief inches over her features. ‘You’re sure The Shelbourne is safe? I mean, it’s a complete fuck-you, right?’
‘That’s the whole point, sweetheart.’ I grin at her. ‘And you’re always safe when you’re with me, remember.’ Instinctively, I touch her arm, and that same fizzing sensation shoots up my fingers. I drag them from her and shove my hand in my trouser pocket. ‘I checked the credit card on the banking app. You didn’t book a honeymoon.’
‘It felt… wrong.’ She admits, twisting her lips.
