Page 14 of Carter

“Hey babe,” I say confidently as if I didn’t just have a mental breakdown hours earlier.

“What’s wrong, Peach?”

“Nothing, I just missed you. I wanted to let you know I got back safely.”

“I miss you too. Baby, talk to me. Get out of your head. I know you. Stop overthinking, Peach.” His voice is smooth and soft. Damnit! He knows I’m overthinking something, therefore, getting into my head. I’m silent for a few seconds taking in what Carter just said.

“Carter? I need you,” I release the breath I have been holding in.

“Let me get the jet refueled, baby, and I promise you I’m coming."

After getting off the phone, I make my way to my favorite spots. My library is where I go to forget and get lost in my world of books. I have over a thousand books and read almost all of them. I tend to collect books when I go to a different city, state, and or country. Finishing the first book of the new series La Petite Mort by Kassandra Marie Lopez.

Reading only helps me so much because I can’t stop thinking about my conversation with Carter. He’s coming to New York, and I can’t help but love that man more. I’m excited to see him but also terrified because I know the day after tomorrow will either break or make our relationship stronger. He texted me that the jet was about to take off but to hold on because he was on his way.

Getting ready for bed, I call my parents to ensure everything is okay and check their well-being since I won’t be home. I decided to stay in my condo instead of our family home in Granite Springs, New York. I love my home. Spending time with my parents and sisters is my favorite pastime, but unfortunately, I’ve been busy these past few years and haven't done much of anything.

What I love about our home in Granite Springs is our equestrian facilities on the seven-hundred-acre land. But what I love about my condo is the view from the terrace and bedroom. It’s stunning when the sky turns a shade of purple, and you can see the Statue of Liberty.

Lying on the sofa reading through a case and my notes with the tv playing in the background, trying to forget that Carter won’t be coming because of an emergency at work, the jet never took off. I was snuggled up with my blanket in an oversized sweater I stole from Carter’s closet. My hair was thrown into a messy bun with a few strands sticking out left, right, and center.

Getting lost in my workload, I almost don’t hear the private elevator ding letting me know someone is about to enter my condo, which makes me jump because my parents are in Granite Springs, along with my sisters. “Mom! Dad!” I yell for them but hear nothing, meaning the elevator doors haven’t opened yet. Getting up from the sofa, I drag myself towards the elevator, wondering who had just accessed my private elevator.

Only six people can access my private elevator: my parents, sisters, and best friend. I know it’s not Jess because she thinks I’m in Granite Springs with my family. So that leaves my sisters. “Oh my God, I’m going to hit you guys for not letting me know about you guys coming over,” I shout through the condo, walking towards the elevator. I swear they're trying to give me a heart attack.

Just as the doors to the elevator open, I stop talking because it isn’t my sisters, parents, or best friend in the elevator. I stop dead in my tracks, my eyes completely in shock. My gaze settles on the beautiful turquoise eyes in front of me. Swallowing harshly. “Carter,” I managed to let out. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest, and it felt like it would jump out of my throat.

Holy fuck! He’s here. He came.

I run towards him and jump into his open arms, smelling his scent as I dig my face deeper into his neck. He stares into my soul. I’m confused but happy he's here with me. “You came, but I thought you had an emergency?” I say, looking up at him. “I did, Baby. But I’d burn the world to ashes for you. I asked Liam to resolve the emergency. I needed to be somewhere else.” He kisses the top of my forehead before pulling me closer to him. “What’s wrong?” He says his voice is softer and laced with concern.

I pull away from him and avert my gaze; tears now threaten my eyes. I don’t even blink, and a tear rolls down my face. His hands find my face, and he tries to get me to look at him. “Peach, whatever it is, you can tell me.” His voice sounds worried. I pull away from his grip again and wipe my tears away. “You want to know the reason why I never dated? Why I don't I trust men?” I say harshly as my eyes meet Carter’s.

Chapter fourteen

Leandra

He doesn’t say or do anything. He just watches me. “I was in my first year of law school at Harvard. I was twenty, andhewas 20 years older than me and my professor.” I pause to think. “We started to get close as friends.Hewas someone I looked up to for guidance. During office hours and or after class,hewould flirt with me. I started to feel special because his interactions were different compared to the other students.” I frown, and Carter steps closer to me.

“I fell head over heels forhim, or so I thought, but it wasn’t love. I was captivated by the attentionhegave me, and I ignored all the red flags that were right in front of me.Hestarted to treat me with disrespect and ignored me around campus.He’dmake me feel special one day, and by the next day, I was nothing.Hewould call me crazy.” I wipe a tear from my cheek. I cross my arms over my chest and give myself a second to breathe.

“At first,hewas sweet. We texted and hung out inhisoffice.Hewould say things to make me feel guilty about not sleeping withhim.Hewas a complete narcissist who would coerce others for not putting out forhim. I wasn’t ready. So, things changed.Hewould pressure me to sendhimpictures to showhimthat I did care.Hemade me feel terrible about it, so I sent it. That would be enough for a few days, andhewould return to being sweet and caring.” I swallow harshly before continuing.

“I was so desperate forhim; I would carry on sendinghimpictures whereverhewanted me to.Hewould tell me everything I wanted to hear and make me feel like I mattered. But the second, I senthimwhathewanted.Hewouldn't talk to me and just left. I was going crazy trying to figure out what the hell went wrong. I led myself to believe that maybe I was just being crazy and insecure.Hemade me feel terrible about it.” I sigh. My eyes dart to Carter’s hand, and it twitches like he wants to comfort me but waits.

My throat closes up because I know the worst part is coming up. “Then I discoveredhe’smarried and had a daughter my age.” My voice wobbles. “I didn’t realize how muchhemanipulated me. The secondhegot whathewanted from me,hewould go back to ignoring me.Hethreatened to send my nudes to everyone in school if I ever exposedhim.Hesaidhewould let everyone know I slept withhimknowinghewas a married man, just to pass my classes.Hewould ensure everyone in Harvard knew the type of homewrecker I was.” Pausing to breathe again. Carter takes my fingers this time with his.

I purse my lips. I can’t even bear to look at Carter. His thumb flicks over the back of my hand softly. “By this point, I was a wreck. I had no idea what I was doing with my life.Hehad completely broken and destroyed me. I pushed everyone away. I felt disgusted with myself, dirty, used.” The tears come again like there is no tomorrow.

“I was so fucking blindsided byhim. I was stupid to believe every sweet word that ever lefthismouth. So, I left Harvard and transferred to Stanford in California. I graduated two years later at the top of my class. After that, I returned to New York, and now look at me, I’m successful.” I cry uncontrollably, not being able to catch my breath.

“Leandra,” Carter says quietly but in a soothing voice. He pulls me into his chest instantly. I burst into a fit of endless tears. Carter’s arms tighten when he hears my distress. One hand cradled the back of my head, resting against his warm chest, and the other securely around my back.

“Shhhh,” he mumbles into my hair, swaying us slightly. Having him this close was comforting. I felt safe and protected in his arms. So, I let myself enjoy this moment and the warmth of his body. I pull away from him, tears staining my cheeks. “I- I swear I didn’t know he was married. I focused all my energy on graduating and opening my law firm. All these years, I didn’t want to date nor get close to someone ever again, so I worked all the time.” I mumble as Carter’s hands push my hair out of my face and cradle my cheeks.

Carter rests his forehead on mine, closing his eyes tightly as he hears me talk. No one says anything for a few moments. His forehead on mine is replaced with his lips. “I am so fucking sorry, Leandra,” he mumbles, and I’m confused about why he is apologizing. His voice sounds strained. I shake my head. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Carter. I was stupid, naive, and fucking pathetic.” I cry again. Carter grips my face again with his hands, his thumb wiping tears from my eyes. “You're not stupid, pathetic, or naive, Leandra.” My eyes dart to the floor. I feel so ashamed and vulnerable sharing this. “Look at me, Leandra,” Carter whispers to me. “You need to hear what I have to say.” I look up at him with my tear-stained cheeks on display.

“You're beautiful, Leandra,” he tilts my head a fraction higher so he is looking at me. “Don’t you ever for one second think that you aren’t good enough. He’s a fucking cunt for doing what he did. My Peach, you deserve so much better than that piece of shit."

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