Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
I don’t know what to do with the anger swirling inside me. I’m pissed, yeah, but more than that, I’m hurt. Mad at her for pushing me away, but even more mad at myself for not being able to make her see that I’m different. That I’d never hurt her.
But how the hell can I prove that when she won’t even let me in?
“I’m not him, Ruby,” I growl, running a hand through my hair, frustration etched into every damn line of my body. “I would never try to control you. I’m not here to suffocate you. I’m here because I… because I care about you.”
I barely get the words out. They hang heavy in the air between us, and I see her eyes soften for just a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing her face, but it’s gone as quickly as it came. “That’s what they all say, Pope,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “And then it turns into something else. Something I can’t escape from.”
I exhale slowly, trying to rein in the frustration clawing at me. This isn’t about me—not really. This is about her past, about the damage her ex left behind. And as much as I want to tear down every wall she’s built around herself, I know I can’t just bulldoze through this. “I’m not going anywhere, Ruby,” I say, softer now, my voice raw. “I’m not your ex. I don’t want to control you. I want you to feel safe… with me.”
The words hang between us, heavier than I expected. I’m not used to putting my feelings out there like this, but I need her to believe me. I need her to know I’m not going to hurt her.
Ruby’s eyes meet mine, and I can see the war going on inside her. She wants to believe me—I can see it in the way her breath catches, the way her body leans just a fraction closer to mine. But she’s scared, and that fear is still holding her back. “I can’t, Pope,” she finally whispers, her voice trembling. “I don’t know how to trust anyone after what happened.”
Her words hit me hard, but I don’t push. I know this isn’t just about me. It’s about what her ex did to her, how he twisted everything, how he made her doubt herself. I thought last night would be the turning point, but now I realize this is going to take more time, more patience than I ever expected.
And the truth is, I’m willing to give her that. As much as it frustrates me, as much as it hurts to watch her pull away, I know I’m in too deep to walk away now.
I take a slow breath, flexing my hands at my sides, trying to calm the urge to close the gap between us. “I’m not going to push you, Ruby,” I say quietly, my voice steady. “But I’m not going to let you keep pushing me away either. When you’re ready, I’ll be here. But you’ve got to meet me halfway.”
Ruby doesn’t say anything, but the look in her eyes tells me she’s heard me. She’s not ready to trust me yet, but maybe—just maybe—there’s a part of her that wants to. I step back, giving her the space she needs, even though every instinct in my body is screaming at me to pull her close, to tell her everything’s going to be okay.
As Ruby turns away, I watch her go, my chest heavy with a mixture of hope and frustration. I don’t know how long it’ll take for her to let her guard down, but one thing’s for sure: I’m not giving up on her. I’m not giving up on us.
The tension between us is still thick, still unresolved, but I’m starting to understand that this fight isn’t just about her ex—it’s about the walls she’s built to protect herself. And I’m willing to spend as long as it takes to break through those walls.
I run a hand through my hair, glancing at the half-finished library around us. Just like the building, our relationship is still a work in progress. But I’ve always been good at building things. And this? This is something worth building.
“Pope?” My heart somersaults in my chest. She’s back.
“Yeah, precious?”
She blinks, then opens her eyes to catch mine in a burning stare that nearly takes my breath away. “Thank you for…everything.” She presses her lips together as if she wants to say more. “I–I like you and I want to get to know you but…things are complicated with me right now.”
“I understand, and I’m here for you whenever you’re ready.”
I’m surprised when she steps closer, raises a fingertip to drag across my cheek and then smiles sweetly. “You’re so sweet, I don’t know if I deserve it.”
“Oh, I know you do. And anyway, I’m not always so sweet.”