Page 28 of Chelsea’s Knight

“I’m so sorry, handsome. Can I just reiterate that I don’t think you have anything to be guilty about? I hate that your sisters are gone, but at the end of the day, they made the decision themselves to take something knowing it was an illegal substance and in this day and age especially, that kind of shit can kill you.”

I pull her even closer, my heart pounding.

Despite the heaviness of the subject, I feel so fucking light it’s ridiculous. I’ve never shared all of it, just bits and pieces, but for years despite the guilt, there’s been some anger toward both girls for taking the same path our parents took instead of fighting to get out and rise above it all.

It’s like they told me what they thought I wanted to hear yet did the complete opposite. And I was too fucking blind to see differently.

“Thank you for listening.”

“I’ll always listen, Canyon,” she murmurs, her hand stroking my jaw. “Good, bad, or ugly, I’m here for it. After all, you’ve definitely seen me at my lowest points,” she teases, striking a pose while rubbing her hand across the top of her head. “Plus, there’s no one else I’d rather have around if I’m going to need to puke my guts out because you run pretty darned fast.”

With that, I lose the battle with the laughter that’s been slowly building with each subsequent hysterical statement she’s made.

“Sweetness, you totally make life worth getting up to every day. Even when you didn’t really remember me, just the thought of seeing you made my heart smile. Now, of course, it’s so much more and I honestly can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

“Hopefully, it’s the two of us getting up close and personal.”

“Is that something you’re ready for, babe? Because we can wait.”

“Canyon, I wake up every single morning, wrapped in your arms with your dick pressed against my ass and back. You then roll over onto your stomach all while acting as though you’re still asleep while I slip out of bed and get ready for the day. Once I’m in the bathroom doing my thing,thenyou get up and get dressed.”

She looks almost disgruntled right now, her nose squinched up and forehead wrinkled so I bite back more laughter.

“Was giving you time, Chels,” I carefully reply.

“Yeah, well, just to say, I’d like to see what all the fuss is about,” she sasses.

Her words have me freezing in place and mid thought. Surely, she’s not saying what I think she is, right?

Because if she is, I need to approach things far differently than flinging her onto her back and fucking her into the mattress, which is what I want to do right about now.

“Chelsea, what are you saying, exactly? Spell it out for me.”

She huffs, her breath sending wisps of her hair flying around her expressive face. “I know I told you what happened at the dance in middle school.”

My response is slow and measured as I confirm, “You did, yes. But surely you dated once you were older.”

Because there’s no fucking way, someone with all of her unique qualities, and internal and external beauty, stayed single for all this time.

“No, I absolutely did not,” she advises. “Because my reputation was eviscerated so badly, I honestly couldn’t determine whether someone was asking me out because they liked-liked me, or if they had heard the rumors and decided to get their shot in. However, I probably should’ve just gone out and done it all since everyone thought I did anyway. Only, every time I’d get pissed off enough to say, ‘screw it’, I’m just gonna go and hit up a bar or whatever, somewhere deep inside, I’d remember that’s not who I am, and I’d ditch the idea altogether.”

“Babe, speaking as your man, can I just say I’m happy as fuck for the gift you’re going to give me. While it wouldn’t have made a difference one way or another, knowing I’ll be the only one gettingallof your firsts is a bit of an ego boost, and has me beating my chest while bringing out my caveman tendencies.”

CHAPTERNINE

Chelsea

I sigh because my ultimate fear is that I won’t be good enough for him.

“Why the sigh, beautiful?” he asks, lightly stroking his thumb across the apple of my cheek.

“What if you’re disappointed? I mean, I’ve read romance novels, so I know all the mechanics, but what if I let you down and our sexual tension isn’t up to the hype we’ve made it out as being, Canyon?”

“Do you trust me, sweetness? Unrestrictedly?” he suddenly asks.

“With my life as well as my heart.” And I do.

He’s earned my trust unequivocally, especially sticking with me when my brain was so scrambled, and my memories were distorted to the point where I couldn’t remember him or our time together.

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