Page 102 of Painted Truths

Maybe it's a combination.

"I didn't comprehend how… dead I was inside until I met you. I was breathing, not living. Not really. And you slipped through my fingers back then. I'm so sorry I never fought for you, Peaches. I've punished us both by staying away, but having had you now, I can't go back to the human husk I was before you filled me with life. To hell with everything and everyone else."

I pull her into my chest in a bear hug as I feel her shoulders relax under my touch. "Henry." Her voice is muffled against my bare chest, but I don't ease my hold. "In case you missed the memo, I've always been yours. Only yours.”

Her lips find the space over my heart, her nose nuzzling back and forth over the rapidly increasing beat before she plants a firm kiss on my skin as goosebumps break out underneath her soft touch. She tilts her head back, her eyes finding mine when she speaks once more.

“Meant for only you. Alex will be fine; he's my best friend. Leave him to me." Then, taking a deep breath, she quietly continues. "And if you're asking for my forgiveness, you surely must know you already have it."

My breath freezes in my lungs as my mind registers the truth of her words.

"I forgive you for all of it. Everything. For whatever you think you need absolution from. Truly, there's nothing to forgive."

Before she can continue, I've hoisted her into my arms with my large palms under her perfect ass. Her legs wrap firmly around my waist, her arms winding around my neck when I crush my lips to hers, immediately opening my mouth to invade hers with my tongue.

She's mine. I'm hers. And the knowledge is intoxicating.

I walk to the bed, still carrying her in my arms, before depositing her on the white sheets, the picture of seductive innocence.

I climb in behind her, pressing my almost naked body against her softness while drawing a sheet loosely over us.

Placing my mouth just by her ear, I whisper, "I'm ready to half that problem now, Peach."

Her body tenses in my embrace before she visibly relaxes and slowly turns to face me. She places her hands on either side of my face, gently tugging me forward to drop a soft kiss on my brow.

“You’re shaking, Henry.” Her eyebrows draw together in concern as I realise she’s right. I am indeed shaking, yet I also realise that for us to move forward and be in this, then I need to tell her everything. No matter what she’ll think of me afterwards.

I swallow roughly before blowing out a heavy breath as she clasps my hands in her much smaller ones, squeezing reassuringly. “I’m ready, Peach.”

She smiles softly. Encouragingly. "If you're sure. I'll be that safe place for you."

Taking a deep breath and hoping beyond hope that this won't change things for us, I start at the beginning.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Henry

Aged 17

"Thanks for the lift, Mr North. Bye, Cade."

"You're such a fucking suck-up, DeMarco."

Slamming the door of their Range Rover while smiling broadly at my best friend's insult, I run toward my front door, kicking up a shit ton of brown and beige stones from the huge-ass driveway before turning to wave my farewell at their receding car.

Pulling the door open, I spot a briefcase just by the door, and my mouth immediately lifts into a massive grin.

Dad's home.

Flying up the stairs, two at a time, I hear raised voices just as I reach the landing. I follow the sound on silent feet, stopping outside Lauren's bedroom.

The door is cracked open about an inch, but still enough that I can hear what's being said.

"I'm done, Lauren. Ho finito con te. You hear me?"

I hear several drawers slamming and a zip closing, before the quiet sobbing of my stepmum meets my ears.

"And none of those bullshit tears either. I've given you everything you demanded. I refuse to do it any longer. You're a poisonous psychopath, and I won't stand for it anymore. It's bad enough you've turned my sons against me—"