Page 56 of Wrapped in Hope

Chapter 21

I’m lyingin Holden’s arms, feeling completely happy and content when he takes a deep breath.

“What’s the matter?”

I feel him shake his head. “Nothing. I just feel happy for the first time in a long time.”

A smile spreads across my face. “Me too.”

After a moment, he breaks the silence. “Jane saw us outside today. She knows.”

I inhale sharply as I twist in his arms to see his face. “What does that mean?” I’m wondering if this is his way of telling me goodbye. Or if it means to brace myself for the hell that’s going to try and tear us apart.

“It means she’s completely disgusted with me. She said I was a pervert and I was dishonoring his memory. That I never should have touched you.”

I place my hand on his jaw. “And what do you think of that?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m still torn. I know what we’ve done is wrong, and I feel like I’m betraying Dean. But what we have, nothing else compares to it.” He rolls us over so I’m on my back with him leaning over me.

“I’ve lived forty-three years on this planet, and I’ve never felt the way I do when I’m with you. My heart beats for you.” He kisses my neck. “My body calls out for you.” His kisses move downward, caressing my collarbone. “I’m completely consumed by you.” His lips move down to the swell of my breast. “I’m in love with you, Hope. I know it’s wrong in every possible way. I know nobody will understand. And I know the things people will think about me. But I don’t care about any of it. All I care about is you, and making sure I keep you for the rest of my life.” He sucks my nipple into his hot mouth and swirls his tongue around it, making me take a sudden breath that turns into a soft moan.

“I love you too, Holden.” I tangle my fingers into his raven colored hair and pull until his blue-green eyes are on mine. “I only want you. I need you. And I don’t give a shit what anyone has to say about it. It’s my life, and I want to give it to you.” I pull his hair until his lips touch mine.

* * *

“Come on.I want you to check out the apartment,” Holden says as he pulls me into his new building.

I’m excited that he’s excited to show me, but being back in this town with him makes me worry about us stumbling into my parents.

We rush upstairs and he unlocks the door before opening it and allowing me to walk in first. I step inside and look around the place. The living room is big and spacious. The floor is a dark cherry that leads down the hallway. There is a big window that looks out onto the town square, and the entire place has that fresh paint smell.

“It’s nice!” I say as I walk around, looking out the window and walking into the kitchen that’s done in blue and gray tile with top of the line appliances.

“You like it?” he asks, coming up from behind me and wrapping his hands around my stomach as he pulls my back against his chest.

“I love it.” I spin in his arms and wrap my hands around his neck, pulling his lips to mine. The second they touch, a warming feeling spreads through my body.

I break the kiss and look into his eyes.

“What?” he asks.

I smile, feeling my face heat up. “How can such a simple touch or kiss light my body on fire?”

“I told you I’m the devil. Fire is my specialty.” He grins wickedly.

I laugh and smack his chest before pulling away to check out the rest of the apartment.

“Hey, do you have plans today?” he asks me as we’re walking back into the kitchen.

“No, I figured I’d spend the day with you. What are you thinking?”

“I want to take you on a ride.”

I grin. “A ride, huh? What kind of ride?”

He rolls his dark blue eyes. “In my Jeep, Hope.”

“Oh,” I say feeling a little let down.