Page 47 of Her Nightshade

Her expression was a storm of emotions.

“Good morning,mi vida,” she murmured, though her face didn’t match the gentleness of her voice.

“How did you sleep? How are you feeling?” I asked, the knots in my stomach tightening as I rested on my elbow, watching her.

She sighed heavily. “We need to address last night, Charlie.”

I knew it. She’s going to end things.I nodded, already bracing for whatever she had to say, arguments forming in my head.

“You can’t be surprised I declared my love like that.” I grinned, trying to distract her. “In fact, I’m sure you expected it, didn’t you?”

She blinked, unamused. “It’s not that, Charlie. And I think you know that,” she said with mild annoyance as she sat up, her bare body exposed as the sheets fell.

My grin disappeared and my heart continued its rapid pace.

“You have to stop this, baby,” she said softly. “Trying to protect me from danger that isn’t even there. Things are getting ugly and I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

I felt tears well up. “I know,” I said, my voice cracking. “Forgive me, Ana. I just…” I shook my head. “I just love you somuch. It’s making me do crazy things, things I never thought I was capable of.”

She gently cupped my cheek and I leaned into her touch, closing my eyes.

“I love you, Charlie. But I’m safe, baby. I’m safe with you.” Her words sent a wave of goosebumps over my body and I pressed my lips to her palm.

But then a sudden, loud knock interrupted us.

“Fuck!” I snapped, my head whipping towards the door as I jumped up to look out the window.

The view was blocked by the dense greenery surrounding the cottage. Beside me, Ana sighed, grabbing her robe from the closet.

“Who is it?” she asked, peering outside.

“Mom!” came an angry voice.

Sloane.

“Ay, mierda,” Ana muttered, tying her robe as she walked into the living room.

I looked down at my nude body and cursed under my breath. This was the downside of being in the same city as her family. I couldn’t wait to get back to our bubble in New York.

I slipped on a pair of sweatpants and stayed back, listening as Ana opened the door.

“Mom! I’ve been trying to reach you since last night. What the hell?” Sloane’s voice rang through the small space.

“My phone died, Sloane,” Ana replied, exasperation clear in her voice.

“So charge it!” Sloane snapped.

I was about to walk into the living room but stopped myself, wanting to hear as much as I could before they noticed me.

“That’s the least of my worries right now,” Ana responded quietly.

Sloane’s voice dropped to match hers. “Theleast? You mean after Charlie confessed his love for you in front of the entire world?”

“Why do you say it like that?” Ana asked defensively.

“Because it’s so fucking intense, Mom,” Sloane bit back. “He’sintense. I feel like he’s…”

“He’swhat?” Ana’s tone sharpened.

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