Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 89592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
I run a frustrated hand through my hair as we finally turn into my block. My heart nearly pounds through my chest when I see Sid exiting the building with a small travel bag in her hand. I jump from the back of the car before it can come to a stop.
My heart crumbles when I see her tear-soaked face. Sid is too gorgeous to ever look this hurt. I rush to block her from getting into the cab that seems to be waiting for her.
“Baby, we need to talk,” I plead.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” she says, trying to step around me.
Her purse slips from her shoulder, causing her to reach for it. The sight is like a punch to the gut. Her engagement ring is no longer on her finger. I’ve grown so used to seeing my ring there. I never thought of it ever coming off.
“Sid, don’t do this. There’s an explanation,” I rush out.
“An explanation for you humiliating me in front of the world?” She lowers her voice so that I’m the only one to hear. “If you wanted to sleep with someone else, fine. You could have told me and made private arrangements. You didn’t have to make me look and feel like a fucking idiot.”
“Do you listen to anything I say to you?” I snap.
“Get out of my way,” she hisses back.
“Fuck this,” I growl.
Doing what I know best when it comes to Sid, I grab her and toss her over my shoulder. She punches at my back with her small hands, but I keep moving until we’re in the elevator. She continues to hurl curses at me as we ride up to the apartment. I allow it because I know she’s hurt.
When we reach the top floor, I head for the apartment, still holding her over my shoulder. When I cross the threshold, I place her down on her feet. There’s so much rage on her face, the hurt and embarrassment are so evident.
“I’m leaving,” she yells at me.
“No, you’re not,” I sigh.
“This is over. I can’t do this anymore,” she sobs.
I close the distance, cupping her face. She tries to pull away, but I tighten my hold. I start to kiss at her tears as she reaches up to dig her nails into my hands.
“They’re not real, Sid,” I say. “The pictures aren’t real. If you were there you would know their context was misconstrued. The incident was harmless.”
“So they are real. That was you,” she says stubbornly.
“Yes, it was me, but what’s being insinuated is bullshit,” I protest.
“I want out,” she whispers, eyes closed, tears still running down her cheeks. “I have no reason to stay.”
“I love you,” I breathe. “That’s your reason. I can’t let you go. I’m in love with you.
“I would never look at another woman because all I want is you. I gave you my heart a long time ago, Sid. I just didn’t know how to say it out loud. I can’t lose you. I love you, baby.”
She shakes her head, tugging away from me harder this time. I release her and she turns her back to me. Her little shoulders shake as she wraps her arms around her middle. The sight completely destroys me.
I move to her slowly, wrapping my arms around her from behind. I bury my face in her hair, willing her to feel my love. She feels so small and fragile in my embrace.
“I love you, Sid…I fall in love with you more and more each day…Those photos aren’t what they look like…You’re the only one for me…I love you, Sidney…I would never hurt you.” I kiss her head in between each sentence.
Slowly, she turns in my arms. Her big brown eyes looking up at me. I see the hope in them, and it tugs at the hope in my chest.
“I love you so much.”
I take her lips before she can say a word. I use my mouth to show her how much I love her. Relief begins to settle in when she melts into me and locks her fingers in my hair. She tugs me closer. I go willingly, tightening my hold on her.
Swiftly, I back her into the glass wall of the entryway. Reaching for her thighs, I lift her on my waist. The salt of her tears drives my need to make this right.
“I love you,” I repeat against her kiss-swollen lips.
I look down into her eyes as I bunch up the tight folds of fabric from her skirt in my hands. She looks back at me with uncertainty I need to dismiss without question. Tugging the unwanted barrier between us up over her waist, I get my palms onto her smooth skin.
“I…I,” she says softly.
I lift my hand to tap the tip of my nose. Pleading with her to trust me. Her eyes soften and she nods.