Page 75 of The Baby-whisperer and the Brute
“You’ll be fine,” I managed to say. “Like you said, you’ve ‘danced with a lot of girls.’ There will be someone else. Lots of someone elses, I’m sure.”
“Is that what this is about? You think I can’t be faithful? Angel, I haven’t even thought of another woman since I met you.”
“That’s not true. You went out with that actress.”
“And thought about you every fucking minute I was with her. I couldn’t wait to drop her off and get home to you. No one is like you—no one ever will be. I don’t want anyone else—ever.”
“Sully,” I let out a pained exhale, my chest aching. “Why are you doing this? You knew this was a possibility all along. I told you about my plans. I’m doing God’s will.”
He snorted, clearly not convinced. “Have you ever considered that maybe God worked things out so that we’d meet? So that you’d come into our lives when you did? Maybe God’s plan all along was for you to stay with me and Skyla and Claire.”
“Skyla and Claire are leaving tomorrow. Besides, I don’t really have a choice. Ihaveto do this. It’s a matter of life and death.”
Now Sully’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What happened when you saw your mom? What did she say to you?”
Though I’d never intended to tell him, I felt like I owed him the truth. I took a deep breath before answering.
“She said... she said she was sick because of me, because I broke my word to God. And I know it’s true because she warned me it would happen, and then it did.”
Sully slapped the wall beside him. “That’s bullshit. She’s manipulating you just like she manipulated you your whole life.”
The charge made me mad. I wasn’t sure if that’s because it was false—or true. “And what areyoutrying to do right now?”
“Me? I’m looking out for you,” he said. “I want you to have what youwant—not what someone elsetellsyou to want. That’s what someone who loves you does. They put your welfare above their own. And I love you, Angel. I’ve fallen in love with you.”
I’d promised myself I wouldn’t cry tonight—or tomorrow when I said goodbye to Sully and this little family I’d grown to love.
But I couldn’t stop the tears. They flowed freely as I reached out and stroked his cheek then ran my hand down his chest.
“I don’t want to argue with you. Can’t we just have this one perfect night together? If you’d go upstairs with me and lie down with me just this once and love me like that, it would be enough to last me my whole life.”
Instead of being moved by my impassioned plea, Sully looked even angrier.
“Hell no. I’m not going to take your virginity in a one-night stand and then wave goodbye. And once won’t benearlyenough for me. I’ve wanted you every day since you moved in, and that’s never going to change.”
Grabbing me roughly he pulled me against him, pressing my cheek to his sternum. “When I make love to you, Angel, it’ll be the first of thousands of times—hundreds of thousands if I have my way.”
I wasn’t sure about his math, but the sentiment behind it was clear—he wanted forever.
And I couldn’t give it to him.
I pulled out of his embrace and shook my head sadly. “I’m sorry.”
Swallowing back a sob, I said, “I’ll start packing my things tonight. Tomorrow after you and the girls leave... I will, too.”
“No,” he grunted. Then, softening his tone a fraction, he said, “No—just stay here until you leave for the monastery. I don’t want you to have to go crawling back to that evil bitch who raised you and listen to her ‘I told you so’s.’ I won’t come back until you’re gone.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tourniquet
Sully
It was a good thing we were leaving this morning. I didn’t think I could stand being in this house for one minute after Angelina left.
Hell, I might never come back to it, just put it on the market a move on. Every room of it held her memory, and if I couldn’t have her, I didn’t want to live with her ghost.
She knelt in the foyer, hugging Skyla and Claire as if she’d never see them again. She probably wouldn’t.
