Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 29008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
He shrugs. “I’m not really sure, honey. Maybe my mom’s or Maggie’s. Knowing my mom, she sent someone to get them for you.”
I keep my hand held up. “So they’re not an old girlfriend’s or anything?”
He frowns at me and seems offended that I even asked. “No, of course not.”
I lower my hand, and Cole starts to dress me. His movements are slow and deliberate. His eyes stay on the task at hand. There’s no warmth in his gaze. He’s controlled and protective. It’s not like he’s touching his fiancée right now. He’s treating me as if I’m someone that he has to put back together or something.
As soon as he’s done, he steps back. “Food?”
I’m about to shake my head when my stomach growls loudly.
We both laugh, and he takes my hand. “Want me to bring it up here? Or do you want to come downstairs?” He holds a hand up. “Just so you know. If you don’t come downstairs, my brother, father, and mother will all be up here to check on you.”
“Check on me?” I ask, surprised.
He nods. “Yes, Luna. You are a Kingston now, and they will all want to make sure you’re okay.”
His words hit me in the gut. “I’ll go downstairs.”
When we get downstairs, Eleanor is pacing the living room and stops as we walk in.
Her arms open. “Luna.”
I let her hold me, and she wipes the wet strands from my face. “I’m going to get a brush. Maggie’s going to bring in some food.”
I sit down on the edge of the couch, and soon, Eleanor is back. She sits down behind me and gently brushes through my tangled hair.
Cole paces the floor, flexing his hands and cracking his knuckles.
Eleanor admonishes him. “Honey, sit down. She’s safe, and those men have been taken care of.”
I tense when she mentions the men.
Maggie walks in and sets a tray on the coffee table. Cole sits next to it, picks up the plate, and holds it out to me. There’s a huge sandwich with all the toppings. “Eat.”
I pick up half the sandwich and take a small bite.
Eleanor and Cole talk while I eat, and when I’ve done as much as I can, I gesture to the other half. “I’m full.”
Cole shakes his head but stops when the front door opens. He’s on his feet at full alert, but it’s only his father and brother that walk into the house. Both men look at me.
Robert is the first to speak. “You okay, honey?”
I nod. “Yes.”
Bennett comes to me and grips my shoulder softly. “Glad you’re okay, sis.”
My chest tightens.
I’ve never had this. People that show up. People that save you. People that would kill for you.
My eyes start to burn, and there’s no stopping the tear from rolling down my cheek.
This is what family feels like.
And they’re acting like I’m just a part of it now… no questions asked.
I take a deep breath. “Thank you, everyone. Really. But I need to lie down.”
Cole doesn’t even hesitate. He picks me up in his arms and without a word carries me back upstairs to our bedroom.
He turns off the light when we walk in, and in the dark, he fumbles with the covers, pulling them down and then laying me on the bed.
He sits on the edge of the bed, and I reach for him. “Cole, lie down with me.”
“I need to shower, honey.”
He stands up, and I watch him undress in the darkness and then disappear into the bathroom. I’m not sure how long he’s gone. I mean to stay awake, but sleep pulls me under, and I succumb to my exhaustion.
CHAPTER 15
COLE
I adjust my bow tie, half excited for the day and also half scared that I’m doing the wrong thing.
My mother walks in, and I look at her questioningly. There’s no hiding the worry on her face.
“Mom… how is she?”
She sucks in a deep breath. “Maybe you should have asked her if she wanted to wait a week or two for the wedding.”
I hang my head in shame. I had thought about it, but I was worried she would change her mind.
My mom stops and looks up at me. “She’s not happy, son. You need to talk to her.”
I grit my teeth. “Mom, we’re about to walk down the aisle. I’ll talk to her tonight.”
“Cole,” she admonishes.
Fuck. I know she’s right.
“I’ll be back.”
I walk down the hall and think back on the last few days. I’ve slept every night with Luna in my arms. Hell, her and Leo both. It’s like that cat knows Luna is hurting and won’t leave her side. I’ve barely let her out of my sight. But it’s been like a wall between us. We’ve talked, but not about anything that matters.
It’s been polite, our old chemistry gone.
It’s my fault. And now I need to fix it.