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

“Something the homeless man said early this morning reminded me of you and your huge heart. He said Chris has been coming around, bringing food, blankets, and supplies to help them out. He thinks maybe Chris is trying to atone for his past in ways that others will allow him to—probably because I’d never give him a chance with his family.

“Daisy, I don’t want to be that man anymore.”

“Only you know what you have to do, what changes you need to make, Rod. When you left last night, you were so mad I wasn’t sure you’d come back. While I was here, I thought you may wait until we left for school this morning.” I’m being generous in my description. I thought he’d wait, but I also thought last night was the end of us.

“Daisy, as much as I hate to admit it to anyone else, I live on raw emotions. Just because I get mad doesn’t mean I don’t care. In fact, it’s when I stop getting mad that you should worry, because at that point I truly don’t care anymore. But I told you I love you, and that means I love you forever. I’m nothing without you. You’re all I want or need, Daisy, and nothing will change that. You can question everything else in the world, but never question my love for you. No other woman has ever had it before, and no one will have it after you. You’re my one and only, babe.”

His words are like the sweetest arrow, piercing my chest and anchoring in my heart. I want nothing more than to believe he’s sincere, that he’ll never run away. That we’ll spend our lives together. But can I trust him? Will he bolt every time we face a major hurdle?

“Tell me what you’re thinking, Daisy.” He takes another step closer but remains cautious.

“I’m thinking I want to believe you. Change is hard though. That’s why so many people revert to what they’re used to rather than fighting through the pain. You’ve survived on your own terms for a long time, Rod. Do you know how to let me in? Do you know how not to take off in the middle of the night and shut me out?”

“You know, I actually gave that some thought before I came home. To get an objective view, I had to take the emotional component out of mix. I asked myself what I’d do if someone pulled that shit in a client meeting at work. Those are high-stake meetings. My company’s reputation is on the line. We have to be professional and de-escalate issues to protect our employees’ livelihood and keep our clients. I realized I’d never have someone on my staff who acted the way I did last night. If I can keep a cool, calm, and collected head while dealing with multi-million-dollar deals, I have to employ that same strategy at home. Because my family is the most important thing in my life. You, Landen, Juliana, Isa, and our baby. That’s my family, my life, and my reason for living.

He inches closer and closer as he speaks, but I don’t realize how close he is until his fingers graze my cheek, whisking away the stray tears that escaped despite my best efforts to keep them under control. He feels like my forever, and I desperately want to be his too. He propelled himself into wealth and success with his business during a time most other people would cave under the pressure. Instead of turning to dust and rubble, he became a diamond in the rough.

I have to believe he can do this for his family too.

“Talk to me, beautiful.”

“I love you, and I missed you last night. The bed was too lonely and too cold without you.””

He throws his arms around me and pulls me into a tight embrace, burying his face in my neck.

“I swear I’ll never let you down like this again, Daisy. We both know I’ll screw up again in the future, but it won’t be by leaving your side.”

“I’m sorry for keeping everything from you for so long. You had a right to know too, and I kept that from you. I’m not making excuses for my behavior, but you should know why I avoided talking about it. You’ve been a career bachelor, and even though you raised your sister and niece, I was afraid you really didn’t want a family of your own. When the oncologist called, I really struggled with having the baby or saving Juliana’s life with a bone marrow donation. And… part of me was afraid you’d want me to have an abortion—for Juliana, but also for you.

“Saying that out loud really makes me sound selfish. I’m sorry, Rod.”

“You don’t have to apologize. That’s an impossible choice—my unborn child or my sister. It’s no wonder why you were so conflicted. After my trip back to my childhood home, I stopped at the hospital and had a long talk with Juliana. She promised to listen to the doctors and do everything they say so she can remain as healthy as possible until we’re able to move forward. She told me about the conversation at your mom’s and how she refused to accept the donation if you terminated the pregnancy.

“She feels like she has stolen enough of my life and wanted me to experience this little slice of heaven. Of course, I cleared up that confusion, so we’re good now. She’s never been a burden or a ball and chain that kept me from living my best life. Neither are you, nor is our baby. My life is richer and worth living because of who’s in it, not the money or possessions. I love you, Daisy. Thank you for not giving up on me when you’ve had every reason to justify doing just that.”

He covers my mouth with his and teases my lips apart with a sensual lick across the part. His tongue slips inside