Page 204 of Before Dawn

“I got you something,” I said, cutting her off gently as I walked over. I held up the bag. “The closest stores didn’t have the right flavor, so I kept looking.”

Her eyes flicked between the bag, the cake, and me. “You... drove around for that?”

I nodded, sitting beside her. “I know they help calm you down.” My heart pounded as I searched her face. “I’d do anything to make you feel better.”

Her lips trembled. She stared at the chips in her lap before meeting my gaze, her glassy eyes making my chest tighten.

“Mikkel...”

I cupped her face, brushing my thumb across her cheek. “You matter to me, Red. More than I can put into words.”

Her breath hitched. For a second, I thought she’d pull away, but instead, she leaned into my touch, eyes closing.

“I’m here,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Always.”

She let out a shaky breath, her body relaxing. She wasn’t okay yet, but she wasn’t alone.

“You mean everything to me,” she murmured.

I smiled softly, resting my forehead against hers. “Eres todo mi mundo.”

The next morning, I woke to the smell of fresh coffee and instinctively reached for her, only to find empty space. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up and spotted her by the window, bathed in soft light, a cup in hand, lost in thought.

Running a hand through my hair to shake off the sleep, I paused as my phone buzzed with a reminder of our plans for the day.

My voice finally broke the quiet. “You’re up early.”

She turned at the sound of my voice, a faint smile playing on her lips as she made her way toward the bed. “I couldn’t really sleep.”

Seeing her so broken in the shower had gutted me, but now, watching her offer me a smile felt like a reward. I pulled her wrist, guiding her beside me. She melted into my arms with a soft laugh, her head resting on my chest.

“How are you feeling this morning?” I asked, my hand brushing through her locs as I tried to gauge her mood.

“Better.” Her voice was soft, almost as if she were trying to convince herself more than me.

I pressed my lips to her head, holding her as she curled into me. After a moment, she whispered, “Thank you for last night. For everything.”

“You never have to thank me,” I whispered back. Then, shifting gears, I added, “We’re going to Pier 39 today.”

She pulled back, amused. “We’re in my city, and somehow, you have the plan?”

I grinned. “I like keeping you on your toes.”

She laughed softly, shaking her head. “I know you do.”

I kissed her, pulling her closer.

“I’m ready!” she exclaimed, and I turned around, taking in her appearance. The high-waisted light blue jeans fit her perfectly, and the long-sleeved bodysuit gently followed the lines of her figure.

“You are….” I trailed off. There weren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe how fucking ravishing my girlfriend was. “You aredivina159, truly.”

She smiled, taking a few small strides over to me. “You make me feel like the prettiest woman in the world.”

“Because no one canevercompare to you, Red.”

She kissed me softly, whispering, “You have no idea how good you always make me feel.”

Smiling, I pressed my lips to hers again. “Then let me keep showing you.”

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