She ceased her coloring and stood, straddling my lap, her gaze fixed on the hope tattoo nestled between my collarbones.
Her fingers traced the tattoo with a purple marker, her touch firm, like someone I loved, used to do all the time.
Her hair was cascading over her eyes and I reached out to tuck it behind her ears.
"I wanted to see your eyes," I murmured, as she met my gaze.
She continued to stare, as if searching for something within me to reassure her. And then, in a moment that felt like a dream, her lips met mine, her fingers gently caressing my face. It was the first time she had initiated a kiss, and it was as if I was experiencing my first kiss anew.
I responded immediately, pulling her closer by her waist. By now, I could feel her tears amidst our kisses, but she did not pull away until she sadly did, looking at me one last time with her sorrowful green eyes before wrapping her arms around me.
"It helped," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
TW: abuse, death, suicide, suicidal thoughts, self harm, eating disorder, suicide attempt, murder, depression, drug abuse, child neglect, rape, sexual assault
Finding Happiness (Book 1 comes before and ties in to You Series)
31 parts Complete Mature
31 parts
Complete
Mature
The second I saw her my skin heated and heart skipped a beat. I knew I had to know who she was. I knew I just needed to be near her. After my horrible marriage I knew getting involved with anyone was the worst thing I could possibly do.
The problem was the girl of my dreams was standing right in-front of me partially guarded. She knew my family and knew about my past which should scare me away, but it doesn't it only draws me closer to her.
My brother is getting married, I'm the best man, she's the maid of honor. If I screw this up even a little bit everyone is going to have my ass.
The second I saw him my mouth went dry. His sculpted arms in that t-shirt covered in ink, my body was telling me to run the other way, to not get involved with this gorgeous dangerous man with a military past. Those gorgeous blue eyes however pulled me in and saw right through every part of me.
He's my best friends soon to be brother-in-law, and I have legal custody of a child that isn't mine. Nobody wants to be with a single mom these days, what makes him any different?