All I Need: Rod & Daisy (All Of Me Duet Book 2) A.D. Justice (short novels to read TXT) 📖

painful memories. With one secret out in the open, I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders. Rather than awkwardly shying away from me after I shared that terrible night from my past, he’s nothing but supportive and affectionate. The air between us has turned more intimate and relaxed.

All these years, I’ve felt so guilty for putting myself in that situation, for allowing that horrible man to rape me. In fact, I never wanted to say those words or admit I was raped. Admitting what happened made me feel like a powerless victim and added insult to injury. But Rod’s soothing words were like a salve on my soul, assuring me none of it was my fault and promising he didn’t blame me. He vowed to seek justice by any means possible. He threatened to find my attacker and make him pay for what he did out of anger and helplessness. I believe he sincerely wants to help me heal from my ordeal. The emotional support from him means more to me than anything else he could do.

“What time will your sister be here?” Rod glances at his watch. “It’s starting to get late. I overheard Landen telling your mom how excited he is to see his Aunt Marlee again.”

“He loves her so much. Sometimes I think he’d live with her if I’d let him. She should be here any time. She likes to arrive fashionably late and make a grand appearance.”

“That drives you crazy, doesn’t it?” He chuckles softly.

“You have no idea how much it used to bother me. I’m generally laid back and easy to get along with, but her inability to show up on time has caused countless fights in the past. But now, instead of getting mad, I don’t wait for her. If she’s late, she just misses out.” I shrug, accepting we’re naturally on opposite ends of the spectrum.

“Duly noted. If there’s any way to avoid it, I won’t be late for anything we have planned.” He offers a mock salute, but his mischievous smile gives his joke away.

“Don’t make it sound like I’m some dictator who has to have her way. When I say she was late, I don’t mean by minutes. I’m talking hours. For example, one time a few years ago, we planned a weekend trip to stay with our aunt and uncle. I called her on my way to pick her up—on time—and she hadn’t dressed or packed. She takes a full hour to shower and get ready, then another hour to pack her clothes. I refused to wait and told her she’d have to drive herself.”

“You left her?” He looks down at me with wide eyes and an amused grin on his handsome face. “Just drove off without her and went alone?”

“I sure did.” We laugh together. “But she’s my sister and I love her, despite her inability to tell time. We’re there for each other when it counts, and that’s all that matters in the end.”

“Feisty. I love it. There are too many flaws my sister could use against me, but she doesn’t. She’s always been as patient and forgiving as she is right now. In a lot of ways, I wish I was more like her. But once I’d found strength during my moments of weakness, I wasn’t capable of dropping my guard again. Then I met you, and all the reasons why I kept those walls around me didn’t make sense anymore. And now, here I am, completely wrapped around your little finger and trapped in your love.”

His words seep into my subconscious and my heart starts racing when my thoughts automatically go to the worst-case scenario. The problem is, I’m more invested in him now than ever. Learning he was the one who helped me during the worst time of my life was an unexpected turn of events, but it also explains why I’ve felt so drawn to him since the day we met. When he’s sweet and romantic, like now, I’m completely defenseless against what I feel for him.

When I stop walking, he turns to face me, searching my eyes in an unveiled attempt to read my mind. Neither of us has said those three little words, but they’re on the tip of my tongue.

“I’m terrified, Rod. I’ve tried to put on a brave face and take all this in stride, in case it doesn’t work out again. The truth is, I’m bound to you and I’ll never be free. If you walk away from me tomorrow, my heart will go with you. When I agreed to give us another chance, at first, I figured we’d have another two-week fling, and it would magically disappear once we’re back home. But that’s all changed now, and I don’t know how I can ever let you go.”

He lifts my hand and places it on his chest, then puts his hand on mine. “Feel that? We’re two hearts, beating as one. You don’t have to be afraid of me, my love. I’m not going anywhere. This heart belongs to you. I’ll do whatever you want, for as long as you need, to prove you have nothing to fear. Knowing you also avoided relationships before meeting me makes our bond even more special.”

“The handful of dates I’ve had all felt forced and artificial. If you’re not the one for me, then no one is.”

He cups my face in his hands and presses his lips against mine. I lock my hands behind his neck and step closer, openly playing with fire in plain view. But onlookers are the last concern on my mind tonight. I’m opening my heart, mind, and soul—baring all to him with blind trust he won’t crush me.

There’s just one little unexpected surprise I can’t bring myself to confess yet, even though I have a sinking feeling my intentional silence will blow up in my face when I eventually tell him.

“Can you two get a room already? You’re making the rest of us sick,” a familiar voice