Текст книги "Beautifully Insightful"
Автор книги: K.C. Lynn
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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 20 страниц)
“I’m asking you to let me be one of them. I’m not going to judge you, Em, I swear. I just want to know you.” His sincere words have me relenting. Letting out a resigned sigh, I open my eyes and concentrate hard, hoping to stop them from wandering. My stomach drops when I hear him suck in a sharp breath. I try to turn my face away, but his hands hold me in place. “Don’t hide from me!” His voice holds a command that has me following the order.
I sense him staring at me, and wait anxiously for him to say something. The silence drags on but I can no longer stand it and break it, “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I think your mother is fucking crazy. Because what I see staring back at me is beautiful and should never be covered up.”
Warmth explodes through my body, reaching the very depths of my soul. I let out a relieved breath then smile when I think about what he just said about my mother. “My mother is definitely a different type of person, but I gave up fighting with her a long time ago. She can be very cruel.”
“How cruel?” His voice turns hard and I quickly realize what he must be thinking.
“Not physically if that’s what you’re asking,” I pause and think how I should explain it to him. “My parents have a certain standard you must meet, especially my mother, and let’s just say, thanks to my disability, I don’t meet that standard.” I shrug. “They are who they are and I learned a long time ago that nothing I say or do will ever be good enough for them, but that’s their problem not mine.”
I feel him watch me again and wish I knew what he was thinking. “You know, Em, you’re pretty insightful for someone who can’t see.”
I smile at his observation. “Actually, I can be quite insightful. I just see differently than all of you. You see with your eyes and I see with my hands.”
“I noticed in trig you were reading with your hands.”
“Yes. It’s called braille.” I reach into my purse and pull out my phone to show him. “Here, give me your hand.”
I take his fingers and trace them over my touch screen. “This is the letter A, and this is the number one.” The phone repeats the letters and numbers back as we trace over them.
Without meaning to I hit the message button, and the sound of an enraged Cece fills the silence. “Emily Michaels, are you fucking crazy? I am going to kick your ass if you aren’t already chopped up into a million pieces somewhere.”
Oh god.
“Did you not hear anything that I have been telling you all week about that guy? I am seriously going…”
I quickly shut it off before Ryder can hear any more. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper guiltily, feeling horrible he just heard that.
“How do you respond?”
“What?”
“How do you respond to her?”
I place his finger over the reply button. “You have to hold down while you speak.”
He takes the phone from me, and my heart pounds like crazy, wondering what he’s going to do. I hear the sound of the beep, signaling for him to speak. “Sorry, Emily is no longer here, but if you ask me nicely I may just tell you where I hid her body.”
Oh my god, I can’t believe he just said that. I cover my mouth to muffle the laughter that bubbles up my throat and wait for her to respond.
It’s only seconds before my phone chimes, signaling her response. “Jameson, you better be fucking with me right now. Because if you have done anything to her, my friend Louis and I are going to bring the wrath of hell down on your ass.” Cece’s voice is hard as she threatens to beat Ryder with her Louis Vuitton purse. “Do you hear me, buddy. Now put her on the…”
I cut off her message by ripping the phone from Ryder and hitting the reply button. “Cece, calm down, I’m fine. I promise I’ll message you as soon as I get home. Have fun and I love you.” I put my phone back in my purse and ignore the chime I get a second later. I shift uncomfortably as I feel Ryder watch me. “Sorry about that. She’s a little protective.” I apologize again, still feeling guilty he heard her say that.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m used to it.”
I think about his easy response. “Why is everyone afraid of you?”
I hear him grunt. “Because they’re pussies.”
I smile and shake my head, letting him know that answer doesn’t suffice. “Come on, you have to give me more than that. It’s only fair after everything I’ve shared with you.”
Silence surrounds us and I start to think he isn’t going to bite, but he finally does. “Because I know how to take care of myself, and I’ve had to shut people up a time or two. But a lot of it is also their imagination. I don’t let people in my personal life, and since they don’t get to see it that scares them, and they conjure up all sorts of shit.”
“Why don’t you let anyone in your personal life?”
“Because I just don’t.”
By his abrupt answer I know he isn’t going to clarify further and it makes me wonder why I’m here. “Why did you bring me here?”
“Because I wanted to be alone with you.”
“Why?” I ask again softly, needing to know more.
“Because you intrigue me, Emily Michaels.”
I smile at the use of my full name and think about his answer. “I intrigue you, or my disability intrigues you?”
“Both,” he answers truthfully. “But more you.”
I nod, appreciating his honesty. “And now that you know, are you satisfied?”
There’s a moment of silence. “No, but I have a feeling I could know everything there is about you and it still won’t be enough.”
Something shifts in the humid night air between us, it’s something powerful and something I have never felt before. “I want to see you, Ryder. Will you let me?” My heart thunders wildly while I wait for his answer, scared for his rejection.
“Yeah, Em, you can see me.” He encircles my wrists and raises my hands to frame his face.
Moving in a little closer, I feel my way to the top then run my fingers through his hair, and it surprises me how soft it feels. “Your hair is longer than I expected,” I muse as I reach the ends, which brushes over the top of his ears. Starting at the back of his neck, I begin lightly dragging my fingers across his rough jaw, feeling light stubble. “Your jaw is square and strong,” I state softly before moving up to his eyebrows to trace the slight arch. “Your eyes are dark green.” When I feel him tense, I can no longer keep a straight face and bust out laughing. “Cece told me.” I hear him grunt, unimpressed, clearly not finding me as funny as I find myself. “Oh come on, you have to admit it was funny.”
“Hilarious,” he replies dryly, which makes me laugh even harder.
“Okay, sorry, I’m done now,” I lie as a few more snickers escape me. Composing myself, I continue my path and trace the length of his nose, feeling a small bump. “Is this visible?”
“No.”
I nod then drag my fingers down to his lips. They’re warm and softer than I expected. I spend extra time tracing the outline of them, and try really hard to picture what they look like.
Suddenly, a low growl penetrates the air. “Emily, I’m trying really hard to do the right thing here, but I’ve decided I don’t give a fuck what’s right anymore.”
My breath catches in my throat, his husky tone sending a shiver of awareness down my spine. “What do you mean?” I blurt out stupidly, knowing exactly what he’s saying.
His warm hand cups the side of my face as his thumb brushes over my bottom lip. “I want to kiss you, Em. I’ve been fucking dying to know what you taste like.”
Oh god. I want that so bad too, but I’m also scared. I have a feeling I am way out of my league here. “Okay, but I must warn you, I’m probably not going to be any good at it.”
I feel him falter. “Are you fucking telling me that you have never kissed a guy before?”
I nod; I refuse to count Kyle forcefully shoving his tongue down my throat a kiss. I know that probably makes him want to back away now, but I felt like I had to be honest. “I’ve been really sheltered from the outside world, unless it’s political parties I’ve been forced to attend. And any guys who I’m forced to associate with do not appeal to me.”
“But I appeal to you.”
It’s more of a statement than a question but I find myself answering anyway. “Yes.”
I feel him move in closer, and my heart thunders in anticipation for what’s to possibly come. “I guess that’s lucky for me then.”
Before I can question that further, his warm lips suddenly brush mine and I gasp, feeling the soft touch through my entire body. His mouth is demanding, yet gentle, and when his tongue lightly licks the seam of my lips I open and grant him the permission he seeks. A whimper escapes me at the first sweep of his tongue, his incredible taste flooding my senses.
Releasing a deep groan that reverberates against my lips, Ryder’s hands move to my hips, gripping them firmly before lifting me and bringing me over to straddle him. My fingers weave through his hair as our mouths create a heated passion, our tongues stroking and exploring one another intimately. I never thought my first kiss would feel like this. That it would feel so natural, and that it would reach the very depths of my soul.
“I knew you would be the sweetest fucking thing I’ve ever tasted,” he mutters against my lips before pulling back and trailing his hot, wet mouth down the column of my throat.
I take in lungfuls of much needed air, and want to tell him how good he tastes too, but can’t seem to form words. All I can manage is an incoherent moan while I tilt my head to the side to give him more access. My body comes alive with sensations I’ve never felt before, a foreign ache starting between my legs. My hips start moving on their own accord and I whimper, the hard feeling of his erection giving me the friction I so desperately crave.
“Fuck, Em, we have to stop.”
“Why?” I ask breathlessly, not liking that idea at all.
“Because I’m close to fucking losing control and I don’t want to fuck this up.”
I pull back slightly, keeping our faces close while the sound of our heavy breathing mingles in the silent night. “And what is this, Ryder?” I ask softly, wondering if it means anything. After everything Cece has told me about him, it’s very possible this does not mean the same to him as it does to me.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I’m only at school for one semester then I’m leaving for college.” Disappointment crushes me, knowing that he’s only here for a few months. “I’m not going to lie, Em, I’m not the kind of guy that thinks past the first night with anyone.”
I swallow past the hurt clogging my throat when I realize I’m no different to him than anyone else, but I should have known better. I’m just about to push away from him when I feel him reach up and cup the side of my face. “But, for some reason, you’re different. I know I should stay far away from you but I don’t think I can, not even if I wanted to.”
His confession has relief and pleasure embracing my heart. I lay my hand on the side of his face and trail my fingers over his lips. “I don’t want you to stay away from me. I like you, Ryder, and I like being around you.” I’m not sure I should have revealed that quite yet but I’m not someone who has ever been good at hiding my feelings.
“Me too, baby,” he replies, calming my doubt. Grabbing my wrist, he places a soft kiss on the inside of my palm before laying it back on his face. The whole gesture warms my heart.
“My parents won’t ever be okay with this,” I whisper sadly. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but they won’t.”
I feel his jaw clench under my hand and feel guilty for upsetting him. “I know, Em, and you don’t have to be sorry about it. I told you I’m used to it, but the thing is, no one is going to be okay with it. Our sides… they don’t mix – not ever.”
I get angry thinking about how divided our worlds are. “It’s stupid and I don’t care what anyone says, not even my parents.”
He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me in closer. “Yeah, baby, it’s fucking stupid, but it’s the world we live in. Here anyway. I don’t want to cause problems for you, Em, or me for that matter. So let’s tread carefully and keep shit on the down low… for now.”
“When will we ever get to see each other if we can’t be together around school?”
“I’ll find a way,” he whispers before trailing his warm lips on my neck again. “And believe me, Em, when I say nothing, or no one, will fucking stop me.”
A shiver travels down my spine, both from pleasure and fear. Because I know if we get caught then all hell will break loose, but I have a feeling losing Ryder would be worse than any wrath my father could bring us.
Hours later, after more talking and lots of heavy kissing, Ryder takes me back to my house. Thankfully, he’s able to drop me off right at my door since my parents are out of town. After giving me a very long kiss goodnight, that leaves my body aching and my heart content, I reluctantly walk in. Closing the door, I lean back against it with a sigh and touch my lips.
I’m so lost in my post bliss that I don’t hear Rosa until she says: “Emily, who was that?”
I smile and straighten from the door. “That, Rosa, was Ryder Jameson, the most amazing guy I have ever met.”
“The boy who helped you with Kyle?”
I nod, a smile still gracing my face. I hear her let out a worried sigh and know what she’s going to say. “Oh, Emily, you have to be careful, honey. We talked about this, if your father finds out…”
“I don’t care what my parents say. I can’t stay away from him, Rosa, and I don’t want to either. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. He– he makes me feel beautiful.”
I sense her move closer to me then feel her familiar, warm hands frame my face. “That’s because you are beautiful.” She pauses. “I’m just worried about your father, please be careful, Emily.”
“I will. We are keeping it quiet, for now.” I smile again. “Did you get a look at him?” I ask, wanting to know what she thinks.
“Yes, I did, and I must say he is very handsome.”
Before I can stop myself, I giggle like a giddy little schoolgirl. “Rosa, he’s perfect.”
“Oh, dear girl, you are starting to scare me. Come on, let’s go to bed.” She takes my hand and I let her lead me to my room, even though it’s not necessary.
Her worry does nothing to take away from the wonderful feeling I have flowing inside of me, because I meant what I said. I don’t care what anyone says. I don’t care where Ryder comes from. All I care about is when I get to see him next, and feel his perfect lips against mine again.
Chapter 5
Ryder
The hallway is empty as I wait for the one girl, who has plagued my every waking thought for the last three fucking months, to walk out of the classroom. The same girl I should have stayed away from because she is way too good for the likes of me, but as it turns out I have no control or common sense when it comes to Emily Michaels.
I left the classroom quickly so I could wait for her while everyone headed to their next class, but she’s taking longer than I expect her to and I start wondering if somehow I missed her. But as soon as the thought emerges she finally walks out, and even though I was just sitting behind her, the sight of her still hits me like a punch to the chest. Jesus she is fucking perfect.
My eyes roam down her beautiful, slender body the closer she gets, taking in her no-nonsense, classy sweater that I’m sure her bitch of a mother forced her to wear, but I can’t complain because it hugs her in all the right places. Her designer jeans mold to her like second skin, and are paired with the sexiest fuck-me boots I’ve ever seen. I watch as she drags her delicate fingers along the lockers, and her perfect lips move slightly as she counts. Lips that I’ve been aching to taste. She falters the closer she gets and I know it’s because she can sense me. I have no idea how the fuck she does it, but she always does.
“Ryder?” she whispers, worrying who is around to hear.
“Yeah, baby, it’s me.” Not being able to hold back another second, I pick her up around the waist and blow through the janitor’s door. I swallow her gasp of surprise as I slam her up against the wall and kiss her like I’ve been aching to. And fuck does she taste good. I swear no one in the world tastes as good as this girl. Like strawberries and innocence. The strawberries is from her lip-gloss she wears all the time, but the innocence – that is all her. Who the fuck knew innocence had a taste.
It takes her no time to respond. Releasing a whimper that spikes my cock to full intensity, she wraps her slender legs around my waist, and her body goes from cold to hot in a matter of seconds.
“Damn, I’ve fucking missed you.” In reality it’s been less than forty-eight hours since I last got to touch her, but it feels longer than that. Much fucking longer, and lately I’m finding that I constantly need to be around her or I feel like I can’t fucking breathe. I can’t explain it, all I know is this girl does shit to me that no one else ever has, makes me want things I never thought I would. Things I have no business feeling for a girl like her.
“Me too. I always miss you.” She mumbles into the kiss, “I’m tired of hiding, Ryder.”
The sad note to her voice has me pulling back to look at her. Reaching up, I rip the fucking sunglasses off her face and unveil the prettiest ice blue eyes I’ve ever seen, ones that make my chest constrict with something I can’t name. I stare into her innocent expression that’s soft with sadness and wish I could change this. That I could change our situation, and all the political bullshit that we live in.
“Let’s get out of here.”
“What? But where? And what about school?” she rambles, clearly caught off guard at my suggestion.
“Fuck school. For today let’s leave all this shit behind us. We’ll go grab lunch in Fairfield, where no one will recognize us, then come back and go park at the cliff.” I watch her contemplate it and can tell she wants to say yes. I lean in and rest my forehead against hers. “Say yes, baby. I want to be alone with you.”
She relents on a sigh. “Okay. I just have to make sure I’m back in time to leave with Cece.”
“I promise I’ll have you back by then.” I give her a brief kiss, making sure not to linger or we won’t be leaving this closet for a while, and let her down to her feet. “We’ll go grab your coat then leave out the side door.”
Swinging the door open, I look both ways before taking her hand and leading her to her locker. I turn back to see her quickly slide her sunglasses back into place, which pisses me off but I decide to leave it for now since she will need them on when we ride anyway. After grabbing her jacket we slip out of the school quickly and easily.
Once we get to my bike I put my helmet on her and she lets out a resigned sigh. “I really wish you wouldn’t be without a helmet, Ryder. It’s dangerous.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll be fine, Em. Now get your pretty ass on the bike.”
Giggling, she takes my hand and lets me help her. Once she’s situated, I get on in front of her and my cock jumps to attention when she comes flush against my back. Her legs hugging mine in a way that I have dreamed about, only in my dreams they are bare and reversed.
Damn, I need this girl in the worst way, but I’ve been treading carefully. Not only because of how innocent she is, but also because I know, when the day finally comes that I take her, it’s going to fucking change me in every way imaginable, and that scares the living shit out of me.
*
After eating lunch at the small diner in the next town over, I pull up to the cliff and park in our usual spot. Rather than getting off the bike, I reverse our positions so she’s in front, straddling me.
I remove my helmet from her, then reach up and rip her sunglasses off. “Take this shit off!” I didn’t mean for it to come out as harsh as it did, and I feel like an asshole when she flinches. I pull her against me and cup the side of her face. “Sorry, I just don’t want any part of you hidden when you’re with me, not when everything about you is perfect, Em.” By the small smile she gives me it was clearly the right thing to say. Her beautiful ice blue eyes focus slightly to my left while her soft hands find my face, her fingers tracing my features like always when we talk. It’s her way of seeing me, and if I was being honest, for a girl who couldn’t see, she saw me far better than anyone else ever has. Reaching up, I encircle her wrist and turn my face to kiss the palm of her hand.
“This was a very good idea, Ryder Jameson.”
“I know, Emily Michaels.” She giggles her cute little giggle, which brings a smile of my own. Something that never used to happen until her.
“Any word on Florida yet?” she asks, bringing up where I plan to go to college, a subject that I always try to avoid. And no matter how hard she tried to hide it there was no denying the sad note to her voice.
“Not yet. I’m going to meet Mrs. Johnson tomorrow, but with my grades and her knowing the dean, she figures it will work out.”
It’s something I should be fucking ecstatic about. All I’ve ever wanted is to get out of this fucking place and make something of myself. To prove to everyone that I’m more than the trash who raised me. Yet lately, leaving isn’t all that appealing as it once was. Actually, the very thought of not seeing this girl in front of me every day, to touch her or kiss her, brings on a panic I don’t want to think about.
With her hands framing my face, Emily leans in and rests her forehead on mine. “I’m going to miss you, Ryder, but I’m proud of you and I know that no matter where you go you will succeed.”
She says shit like this often, she holds me in too high regard. I have often wondered if her feelings for me would be different if she could see. Would she see what all the others see? I have no problem getting chicks, never have, even the bitches from her social circle. But with Emily, she has no idea what I look like. She doesn’t want me for my looks; she doesn’t see the kid who grew up poor and from the wrong side of the tracks. Knowing that, it makes me feel shit I don’t want to feel, but, like always, I’m helpless against it. I’m helpless against her.
Not wanting to say something I may regret, I move in and take her mouth in a way that’s hot and desperate. She’s only caught off guard for a second before she moans and matches my every stroke, giving just as good as she gets. Her sweet taste explodes on my tongue and rushes through my veins. I swear I could kiss this girl every second of every day and never tire of it. I cup her ass to bring her in as close as I can, but it’s not enough. Unzipping her jacket, I pull it down and remove it from her body. I break the kiss to trail my lips down the slender column of her throat.
“Mmm, Ryder.”
Jesus, the way she moans my name is enough to make me come in my pants. I have not been without pussy for this long, since before my first fuck. When I have an itch I scratch it, and finding willing participants is not a problem. But for the last three months it has been me, my right hand and the image of the girl in front of me. I have been treading carefully, not wanting to push her. Other than some heavy kissing, and groping on my part, that’s as far as I have taken her, but right now it’s time to take her to the next level. I want her to come apart for me. I want to show her what her body is capable of.
Slipping my hand under her sweater, I coast it up her smooth, toned stomach and cup the heavy weight of one of her perfect tits. Feeling her nipple strain under the thin lace of her bra, I roll it between my thumb and forefinger with enough pressure that makes her gasp and whimper before grinding down on my aching cock. I groan at the pressure then start pulling up her sweater. “Lift your arms, baby.”
She stills and bites her bottom lip, unsure. “Out here? What happens if someone sees us?”
“No one comes out this way, especially at this time of day.” Leaning in, I press a reassuring kiss to her lips. “I promise, Em, I’m not going to let anyone see what’s mine.” And that’s the fucking truth. It’s hard enough for me at school, to see the wandering eyes as she walks past and not take them out. After another second of debate, she finally relents and lifts her arms, allowing me to slip her sweater over her head, unveiling the best set of tits I’ve ever seen covered in black lace. With my heart pounding in anticipation, I flick the front clasp of her bra and reveal her to my stare. And fuck me, is she a sight.
“Ryder?” The soft, unsure sound of my name draws my attention up to her face. A slight blush stains her cheeks as she waits for me to do something.
It’s easy to forget sometimes that she can’t see me and know what I’m doing unless I’m touching her or talking to her. “Sorry, Em, just got caught up in the view.”
Her cheeks turn pinker and her expression remains unsure. I quickly realize she doesn’t understand what I’m saying. “You’re fucking perfect, Emily.” Her worry softens, a shy smile now gracing her pretty face. Not wanting her to think, just feel, I reach up and cup both of the firm, round globes in my hands then lean down and take one of her pink, stiff nipples in my mouth.
She gasps and arches, her fingers spearing into my hair with a firm grip that shoots to my cock. “Oh god.”
I’ve never had another girl respond like she does, her body is so sensitive to my every touch and I fucking love it. I also love knowing that I’m the only one to touch her like this, because the thought of anyone else doing it makes me see red.
I take turns going back and forth between each tight tip, her body writhing against me as she tries to get closer, and it has me craving to bring her more. To bring her to highs she’s never known.
I coast my hand down her toned stomach until I reach the button of her jeans. She stiffens as I undo them and I pull back to gauge her expression. Her bronzed complexion is flushed with arousal and need, but her expression is hesitant. “Let me touch you, Em, just with my fingers, nothing else. I want to make you feel good, baby.” I keep my hand where it is and wait for her approval, fucking praying she says yes. A second later she nods her permission.
Leaning in, I kiss her lush mouth before slipping my hand into her panties. “Ah fuck,” I groan, ready to blow my load when I feel her soaked and bare. Shit, I did not expect her to be bare. I slide my fingers through her wet slit, grazing over her swollen nub before making my way to her entrance. A low growl erupts from my throat as I enter a single finger into the hottest, tightest pussy I’ve ever felt.
“Oh god, Ryder!” she cries out, her legs clamping around my arm to keep my hand trapped inside of her.
“Easy, Em, I got you, baby.” I pry her legs apart and start pumping my finger in and out of her hot, wet heat. Her cries and moans fueling me with a need I’ve never felt before. I grind my teeth, trying not to lose control, and remind myself this is about her and not me, but fuck is it hard. Especially when all I can think about is how good it would feel to have this surrounding my cock, instead of my finger. Her hips begin rocking to the thrust of my finger, taking the pleasure she craves. “That’s it, Em, take my finger, baby.”
Her breathing speeds up with her impending climax. “God, Ryder, it feels so good. But I need– I need…” She trails off and I know she doesn’t understand what she needs, but I do.
Keeping the momentum of my finger, I lean down and take one of her beaded nipples into my mouth again, grazing it with enough pressure to send her over the edge. Her pussy clamps down on my finger as she explodes. I lean back to look at her soft, innocent face, watching her expression twist with pleasure as her cries and moans fill the silent air around us. I didn’t think she could get any more beautiful but I was wrong.
After her final tremors subside, I slip my hand out of her panties and reluctantly do back up her pants. A small breeze kicks up making her shiver and I watch goose bumps break out over her soft skin. I know I should put her shirt back on but I’m not ready for her to be covered from me just yet. So instead, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her bare body up to my chest and hold her close.
I see her expression soft and sated, yet also uncertain. “What are you thinking, Em?” I hope I didn’t rush things for her.
Her hands go to my face again, her ice blue eyes focusing just to the left of me, like usual. “I’m thinking that I like the way you make me feel, and I really liked it when you touched me.”
I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and press a soft kiss to her lips. “I liked it too. A lot.”
“I just…”
“What?” I ask as she trails off into a whisper.
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.” She clears her throat. “Am I supposed to return the favor?”
I smirk when her cheeks flush pink with embarrassment. “No, baby, you don’t have to return the favor. That was just for you.”
Her cheeks turn pinker. “Sorry, that probably was a stupid question. I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do, or how I’m supposed to act since I have, uh, never done that before.”
My amusement vanishes at the uncertainty in her voice and I cup the side of her face. “No, it wasn’t stupid. Whenever you’re uncertain how to act, Em, just be yourself and then you can never go wrong. Because you’re perfect.”
She gives me a genuine smile and wraps her arms around my neck, bringing herself that much closer to me. “In case you didn’t already know, I like you, Ryder Jameson. A lot.”
“I had a feeling, Emily Michaels.”
She giggles then rests her forehead on mine. “And,” she whispers, her lips only a breath from mine, “you make me feel beautiful.”
I grind my teeth, hating that she’s never felt it until now. It’s the only thing I resent about her blindness – that she doesn’t get to see how incredibly beautiful she really is, and to know her mother is full of shit. “Jesus, Emily, you have no idea how beautiful you are, every single part of you, especially your eyes.” I lean in and kiss the corner of one eye before moving to the next. Showing her that what her mother thinks is a flaw, I think is beautiful. Her eyes fall closed and a single tear drops to my lips, which makes me feel like someone punched me in the throat.
After holding her for a few minutes, I reluctantly say, “We should go. I want to make sure we make it back in time before the bell rings.”
