page53 (2/2)

He’d seen it though A quick flicker of sadness in her eyes For whatever reason, Shell didn’t believe this would last long term

Was it hi in her past that kept her fro all in?

All good questions, but the biggest of all bounced around in his head like a ping pong ball When the fuck had he started thinking in terms of forever?

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

SHELL WOKE BEFORE the sun even thought about lighting the sky, unused to an enor point

Both literally and figuratively

Careful not to jostle Copper, she nudged the co some much-needed cool air to wash over her nude body Of course, fifteen seconds later, she was shivering and pulling the blankets back up to her chin once again

She rolled to her side and closed her eyes Might as well snag a few in until eight which meant she had about another two hours to sleep before she needed to get ready

Like that was going to happen With a sigh, she opened her eyes and stared at Copper’s sleeping form It wasn’t often, or ever really, she had the opportunity to study hi It was a tiny word, but nothing else described hi s She’d fallen asleep surrounded by hi of safety and security that ca that could bedog coe that another human had her and would do whatever it took to keep her safe

Shell wanted to hold on to that feeling, pere, alwaysthe burdens That wasn’t to say she didn’t value being an independent woes of life on her oas imperative She’d proven to the world—and especially her mother—that she was self-sufficient, responsible, and trustworthy She didn’t need anyone Especially not aa happy and healthy daughter

And she hated every second of it Fee, but it hat it was She was sick and tired of doing it alone She didn’t need a man, but she wanted one Not to remove her independence or take over her established roles, but to share life Complement each other, comfort each other, support each other, and to kill the soul-crushing loneliness of going to bed solo each night