Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Michael stopped the movement by threading his fingers with hers.
“I feel guilty, too,” Serenity went on. “Because I got to raise you all. I fell in love with all of Audrey’s children. I have my family because she is gone.” Serenity drew in a trembling breath. “Your father is right. We all needed therapy.” She sniffed and blinked back her tears.
Jade’s heart hurt for everyone in this room.
Serenity glanced around, meeting both Jade and Asher’s gazes. “I want you both to let your anger at Audrey—and at yourselves—go. Let the worry go, too. Do whatever you need to do in order to come to terms with the past. Get help, talk to whoever makes you feel better. But know this—Audrey didn’t leave you because she chose to. She left because she wanted her suffering to end.”
The lump in Jade’s throat had grown so large she didn’t know if she could hold back the tears much longer.
“And you.” Serenity’s dark eyes pinned her in place. “You are the most compassionate, warm, giving woman I know. And I’m absolutely certain you will be an amazing mother. You will be present. You’ll enjoy every moment. So please don’t torture yourself with something that will never happen.”
“I agree,” Knox whispered, obviously not wanting to intrude on a family moment.
They went through the round of hugs and tears again and came away with a new understanding of the past and each other. And Jade promised herself to think about everything Serenity had said and to get help if she felt this conversation hadn’t done enough to heal her.
Not long after, everyone said their goodbyes. The ride home with Asher and Knox was quiet, each of them lost in thought. Asher had the driver stop at Jade’s apartment first, and Knox insisted on getting out with her.
They said goodbye to her brother, and Knox walked her upstairs, leaving his suitcase with the doorman so he could grab it on his way out again. She wasn’t sure how she felt about him not asking to stay over, but she couldn’t deny she needed time to think.
He escorted her to her door and she let them both inside. He carried her suitcase into her room and laid it on the bed, making it easier for her to unpack later. In silence, they walked back through the hall and toward the front door.
Exhaustion had caught up with her and she yawned. “Today was a day,” she said with a shake of her head. “Does every conversation have to be so long and draining?”
Knox treated her to a warm smile, which, of course, she found sexy. “Dealing with the past isn’t easy, but you’re getting through it.”
“Who knew finding out I was pregnant would bring up all these old issues?” she murmured.
“You’re strong and everything will work out.” He braced his hands on either side of her face. “Don’t think for one minute that I don’t want to stay with you tonight. But I have to go home, unpack, and be at work early tomorrow. Besides, I’m pretty sure you need time to unwind and process what happened today.”
“I do.” Then why was she so sad he was leaving?
He dipped his head and pressed their mouths together in a kiss that was gentle but sensual at the same time. His lips slid over hers, back and forth, until his tongue slipped inside and tangled with hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as she moaned into his mouth. A tremor shook his body, and he deepened the connection, one hand now cupping the back of her neck as the kiss went on and on.
Finally, he lifted his head. “If we don’t stop, I won’t be able to leave,” he said in a gruff voice.
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him not to go, but she knew he was right. A lot of issues had come up today, and she needed to give them time to settle.
For that to happen, she needed quiet time. A warm bath, a cup of hot tea. “Okay,” she agreed at last.
He rubbed his nose alongside hers. “Get some rest.”
With the way her body was vibrating and her sex pulsing with need, she doubted sleep would come. But she grudgingly let Knox out and locked up behind him.
And though she’d intended to think about the things Serenity had said, her mind went to Knox instead. He’d never brought up the subject of marriage until he mentioned it to her father. Surely if that was something he wanted, he would have discussed it with her when they were alone.
Was he giving her time after the trauma of her family meeting? Or had he changed his mind altogether? Worse, had it been an impulsive question he was grateful she’d shut down?