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Trepidation prickledaway, he captured ed me from the room We travelled down a short corridor before he turned a doorknob and pushed h a tie canvases of her s I couldn’t breathe I was sure ateway to heaven

Had I died froh S presence appeared on ht "Are you okay?"

I barely nodded, too consumed with the blown up pictures of Clara Her smile radiated, so full of life "H--how?"

"Obsidian has security cae and saved soone" He drifted forward, toward the largest picture decorating the walls It was a portrait of ardens Her purple ribbon had wrapped around le ourselves

All the air deflated fro in a waterfall of tears, I sighed with a strange hter by falling in love with her but he’d given her back to me, too

"I--I don’t knohat to say" I clutchedher

He s hiets too much, come in here and talk to her She’ll always be with you" He hung his head, trailing a fingertip over a horse statue I hadn’t noticed

I spun, taking in the details of the room In every corner rested bronze and copper horses from Roan’s collection at Obsidian

"I know it’s stupid, but I hear her In here" Roan tapped his temple, then dropped his hand to his heart "I feel her In here"

Oh, God

Sadness, heartache, and overwhel untiltears Butto accept the incredible gift Roan had given er over a beautiful sun-drenched photo of Clara picking daisies "I think I’ll always hear her"

I couldn’t believe the scarred ht ed so much--yet still seerateful I was How ave me "Take me back to the bedroom," I whispered

Roan’s eyes widened "We don’t have--"

I shookin the rooth to put aside ained rather than what I lost

You need to tell hi fro toward me I needed to tell him about his son

Roan’s shoulders bunched and he came slowly toward me His lips thinned "I want you, Zel God knoat his fists "But I’entle To hold you and make love to you But…I won’t be able to and I don’t want to take you violently Not today"

My heart raced I didn’t reply What could I say? I accepted that and still wanted hi to be held while I cried and be rocked to sleep I was asking to forget--for a short while

Clara’s memory would still be there to mourn once I’d thanked Roan with all ive ht I’ him one last look, I moved toward the door

I didn’t wait for hi down the corridor, I entered the white bedrooret Could I celebrate life and accept everything the new pregnancy would offer? Could I put aside rief for just a moment to spend time with my future, rather than my past?

My eyes fell on the fluffy, perfectly crafted sheep resting by the large s

Clara’s sheep

Sunlight struck the bronze, dancing like tarnished rainbows onto the white carpet

"Don’t be sad, muain but this tiht thread of hope Hope that I could survive and wouldn’t buckle beneath the loss

Arms banded around me from behind Roan’s hot breath caressed my neck as he nuzzled my ear "I’ll stop Just say the word and I’ll leave"

I arched my back into hiroaned, pickingyou or loving you I’ll never stop working hard to fucking deserve you"

Settling me on the s apart as he rested his fully-clad body against me The bathrobe fell apart and his hand landed on et used to the ferocious tingles or sharp connection e touched

"You’ll never be alone again, Zel I’ yours" His mouth captured mine His smoky scent intoxicated ue entered ht Every tear Heonly

Hi me I let myself be selfish and only focused on thatbut the slickness of Roan’s tongue and the hard heat of hiainstinhis hair, scratch his back So feral unlocked inside ht I wanted to knoas still strong enough despite what had happened

Roan’s hand cuppedme "Say it Say you’re mine"