Christian (The Mitchell/Healy Family #3)(54)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“Come here,” I ordered.

She nudged forward so I could pull her into my arms. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Chris.”

She took me by the hand and pulled us down on one of the sleeping bags. I knew I had to be gentle with her, even though the urge to take her was very apparent. Our kisses were slow-paced. I savored them, like it was the first time. Her body shook beneath mine, reminding me of her fragile state. When I pulled away to give her a moment to gather herself, she seemed disappointed. “What’s wrong.”

“Nothin’,” I answered. “I thought you might need a second.”

She haplessly stared at me for a second. “I know you’d never hurt me. Bein’ with you is natural. It’s always been easy.”

I pecked her before responding. “I will love on you all night long. I’ll hold you, and kiss you in every place imaginable, but I won’t do that. I can’t. Not yet. We’re goin’ to go slow, because we’ve got plenty of time.”

“Ethan, if I don’t give you what you want, are you goin’ to go out and get it somewhere else?”

“Hell no! That’s somethin’ you’ll never have to worry about. You’re the only woman I want.”

She smiled shyly. “Okay.”

“Good. Now let’s get back to that kissin’.”

As much as I wished this night could be more, I appreciated bein’ able to stay with her. I needed this just as much as she did.

A little while later I lay still with Christian wrapped in my arms. We’d climbed into an oversized sleeping bag and zippered up to keep warm on this particularly chilly night. Even though the barn kept out the wind, it had no insulation to provide us with any type of comfort.

She slept so peacefully next to me. Her warm body nestled up against mine allowed me to be content. We didn’t need intercourse to take us to another level. We’d been sleeping together for years. There wasn’t an inch of her that I didn’t know. I would wait to have her again, because I knew it would be well worth it.

While she rested peacefully, I thought about what was to come, where we would live, and how our lives would intertwine. Chris knew my plans to keep my roots grounded on a farm. She’d accepted that I never wanted to live in a busy city. I wouldn’t have to worry about taking her away from her dreams, because we’d shared the same one for as long as I could remember.

While the crickets sang, and the moonlight sky moved about the horizon, I finally closed my eyes. Even if her father or brother came to kill me I’d die a satisfied man. God had given her to me, and I knew I’d never take that for granted again.

I couldn’t wait to wake up to her beautiful smile, every single day until I took my last breath. That’s how life was supposed to be; simple and kind. We’d want for nothing as long as we had each other.

Chapter 34

Christian

The sound of the rooster woke me up from a deep sleep. I realized right away that I was zippered in a blanket with Ethan. He opened his eyes noticing I was struggling to free myself. “You okay?”

“I’m about to pee my pants,” I admitted.

He chuckled and helped free me. An immediate chill overwhelmed me, causing me to cover my chest with my arms.

“Holy hell it’s freezin’,” he complained

“Let’s go inside. I’m sure my dad’s already up,” I suggested.

“I don’t know, Chris. Maybe I should head home for a bit.”

“Get up and come inside with me. I promise you’ll survive.”

When I started to march away he caught my arm, pulling me back against his chest. “Hold up. I think we should properly say good mornin’ before we go anywhere.” His lips found mine, and I closed my eyes, savoring the gesture.

“This feels right,” I admitted.

“Yeah, it sure does.”

I led Ethan inside of my parent’s house, spotting my dad as soon as we walked through the door. “Good mornin’,” he announced.

“Sir,” Ethan replied.

“It’s chilly out there. I thought you might end up inside last night.”

“I didn’t notice,” I admitted proudly.

Ethan was very quiet, acting as if he was about to piss off my dad. I was getting a kick out of it, so I grabbed his hand and began to pull him up the stairs. “Where are we goin’?” He whispered.

“To brush our teeth. Mom keeps extra toothbrushes for when family comes, in case they forget. There’s a container under the sink in the hall bathroom. Help yourself. I’m just goin’ to change my clothes and brush my hair.”

“Alright then.” He entered the bathroom, leaving me to walk to my room. My sister opened her door looking like she was still asleep. “Hey, Chris. You just gettin’ in?”

“Yeah,” I said proudly. “We slept in the barn.”

“I heard. Listen, I’m real sorry about what happened to you back at school. I feel like I should’ve been there for you and it hurts that I couldn’t. I messed up so bad. Dad and mom look at me like they don’t know what to do next. Noah’s not speakin’ to me because the wedding got postponed again. I feel like I can’t win. Anyway, I just want you to know that I’d trade places with you if I could. I envy your life, sis. You’re beautiful, intelligent, and you have Ethan, who’s crazy about you. I hope one day I can have that.”

I hugged my sister. “All that matters is that you’re home. I need you now. I need you to be well. We all do.”

“I don’t want to be that person anymore, Chris. I swear I don’t.”

“I’m not goin’ anywhere, Addy. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that the best place for us is here with our family. We can get through everything with their help. I promise.”

I didn’t like seeing my sister cry. I’d never known what it was like to be addicted to drugs. I wouldn’t understand the trials of withdrawals and the difficulties of bein’ around people after havin’ done so much wrong.

Despite the fact that we were different, we both needed the same kind of support. I’d be there for my sister, and she’d do the same for me. Together we could get through this.

Ethan met me in the hallway, but refused to come into my room when I changed. It was cute how worried he was about my father. Last night, before I’d come back out to the barn I’d given it to my dad straight.

He’d learned about Ethan sticking around, and how we’d made up. I think once he’d heard that he took a second to contain his concerns. With my mother’s assistance I was able to convince him that I was old enough to make my own decisions, and out of everything I’d ever done in my life, Ethan was always something I’d been serious about.