Pull (Seaside #2)(71)

My stomach dropped.

“It’s better. Because I finally understand what love is. It isn’t rainbows and butterflies. It isn’t always pretty. Sometimes it’s jagged like broken glass, and sometimes it hurts. But love, the type of love that’s real — the love Demetri has shown me — it’s selfless, it’s persistent. Real love pushes your boundaries, it pulls until you snap, and then when you think you can’t take anymore, it’s relentless in its pursuit of your body, soul, and heart.”

I was immobile as I closed my eyes and listened to the poetry of her words. Everything was in slow motion, the way the rain felt against my face as her words echoed in my heart like a lullaby. Fire ignited my soul at her truth, at the truth of existence, the truth of what love was.

“I didn’t choose to love Demetri, Brady. It just happened.

But the minute my heart made that decision, it was impossible to go back. It was like trying to breathe without air. I’m finally okay with letting you go. I’m finally okay with forgiving you, because I know whose arms I belong in. I know that the minute I turn away from your grave, I make the conscious choice to open my heart to real love. The love every person deserves. Goodbye, Brady.”

I opened my eyes to see Alyssa right in front of me. Makeup ran down her face, her teeth were chattering, and her clothes were plastered to her body. I’d never seen anything more beautiful than her in that moment. Her eyes were shining. Her smile was wide and bright. I reached out, needing to touch her, needing to know that this moment between us was real.

“I love you, Alyssa.”

“I love you, Demetri.” She exhaled against my neck. Her breath was warm, sending chills all the way down my back. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Wait…” I released her and walked over to the grave. I’d spent and awful lot of time cursing the guy that I should thank for saving Alyssa’s life. Granted, he screwed up big time, and I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t punch him in the face if he was standing in front of me. But still, his body shielded her from the accident.

I licked my lips. “Thank you. For protecting her, for saving her, but most of all, for not being selfish enough to keep her for yourself when you knew you couldn’t be faithful. I still want to hit you for all those times you kissed her when I couldn’t. I still cringe when I think of places your hands were that mine have yet to explore, but in the end, she’s mine. She’ll always be mine, so thank you. For finally allowing her to let go.”

Alyssa walked up behind me and looped her arms around my chest. Her head bent to my back. I closed my eyes and memorized the moment. Just me and the love of my life, her dead ex-boyfriend, and the rain. Hell, I couldn’t have written a story this screwed up. But I’m glad that sometimes even bad things can be turned to good. I’m glad that the Creator of this messed up universe saw something redeemable in me and gifted me with an angel, when I deserved much less.





Chapter Thirty-five


Demetri


“I could seriously sleep for five years,” I grumbled once we made it back to my beach house. I refused to let Alyssa out of my sight. I may have lured her to my place under false pretenses. I told her we had hot chocolate. I lied.

“Where’s this famous hot chocolate?” she asked. Damn mind-reading women.

“Uh… Up there.” Shameless, I know. I pointed to the top shelf. She walked over and stretched up against the counter. My mouth went completely dry as my eyes burned wild shameless circles around her body.

“Hmm.” She put her hands on her hips. “I didn’t see it.”

“Try again.” I was going to burn some place very hot for all this taunting.

She stretched again, this time her shirt came up, revealing her flat stomach and a cute belly button. I must have made some sort of embarrassing moan or something because she froze and then turned to give me an icy glare.

“There is not hot chocolate, is there?”

I smirked and then shrugged. “Um, I don’t know. Care to look again?”

“You ass!” She charged towards me. I didn’t even put up a fight as she pushed me against the counter. I just grabbed her and lifted her into the air. She wrapped her legs around my waist and kissed me across the mouth.

“I’m sorry…” I said between kisses. “To be fair… I just wanted you alone… in my house… without any interruptions.”

“What about Nat and Alec?” she asked tugging my lower lip.

“Damn, woman… I… um…” I tasted her tongue and groaned. “They’re out.”

“Where?”

“What?” I nibbled her neck and moved lower pulling her soaking wet shirt away from her shoulder.

“Where are they?”

“Who?” What the hell was she talking about? Her skin was perfect. I wanted to both touch and then memorize every single touch and how it affected her.

“Your brother. Demetri, are you even listening?”

“No,” I answered honestly. “I stopped listening the minute you wrapped your legs around my waist, and if you don’t say stop, I’m going to be laying you across the kitchen counter in five seconds.”

“Five seconds, huh? That’s pretty fast. You improve your time, bro?” My brother’s idiot voice echoed through the kitchen.