LOGINRaymond's PovThe last few weeks have been hell. I miss her more with every day that passes. Mark said I needed to give her time, that she needed to process everything before I could talk to her. So, I poured all my energy into my own recovery. I worked out day and night, pushing my body through every exercise without fail.And finally, I started to walk again. My anger that I could not run after her, that I could not even stand to comfort her, is what drove me. That was going to change soon. I was supposed to be away on a business trip, but the deal finished early. I decided to stop by Chili’s, that bar Mark had mentioned. He wanted me to join his celebration, but I had refused, telling him I would not be back in time.I got ready and got into my Ford Mustang. God, I had missed driving this car. I decided not to call Mark, and instead stopped at a jewelry store to buy Julie a small gift. Once the manager wrapped the bracelet and earrings, I was on my way.***********Bella's PovWe a
Raymond's PovShe turned toward me, the photo frame held tight in her hand. Her other hand moved gently over the image of the young boy. She seemed lost somewhere deep inside, or no, that was not it. She seemed shattered. She seemed delicate, and more than anything, she seemed completely beaten. I stayed where I was, stuck in my chair, with no idea what to say as I watched her fall apart.A single tear escaped and traced a path down her beautiful cheek. She closed her eyes and drew a long, slow breath. When she spoke, her voice fractured, and every part of me fought the need to pull her into my arms and never let go.“We made plans,” she said, her mouth curving into a faint, sad smile. “Plans to get married. I was young, but I was certain I loved him. He made me feel so light inside, like a girl who could not think straight. And I was. I was so deeply in love with him, I would have left everything for him if he had just asked. But he left me instead. He took my heart and every bit of
Bella's PovThe next few days passed in a smooth pattern. I would finish my shift, then drive to Raymond’s house to lend a hand. He was managing nearly everything on his own, growing more self-reliant just as I knew he would. Today, we had a hospital appointment to check how his body was healing.“Well, Mr. Woods, you are progressing very well,” Doctor Mathews said, looking over his chart. “All your numbers are strong, and you are well on your way to a full recovery. I am glad you sought another opinion, regardless of what you were first told. That said, I do not believe you should consider returning to racing in the near future.”My mind snagged on the word. Raymond raced?“How long until I can race again?” Raymond asked, his voice level.“You have not even mastered walking again, and you are already concerned with getting back on a bike?” Doctor Mathews replied, looking at him over his glasses.Wait a minute. I knew we had not discussed his job, but fucking motorcycle racing? Was hi
BellaThe memory returned with a great force.“I do not care what Ron says. I think you are the most beautiful girl in the entire world. Pretty petals fall, but yours never will,” Hudi said.“What does that even mean?” I asked, giggling uncontrollably.“It means that no matter how lovely a flower is, its petals always drop. But you, Bella, will always keep yours.”I laughed even harder. “Are you calling me a flower, Hudi?”“Yes. That is exactly what I am doing.”Then he closed his eyes and sniffed my hair, which made me sniff my own.“I smell like coconuts, not a flower, you liar,” I told him.He burst out laughing. “Would you prefer I call you a coconut instead?”“Do not you dare,” I said, running from him as he jumped up to give chase.**************I stared at Raymond, and he stared back. Perhaps it was just a line from a film. If not, how could he possibly know the words my best friend used to say to me, every time I confessed that my mother never found me beautiful?“
BellaHe moved in, his forehead coming to rest against mine as he looked down at me with a smile. There was a deep familiarity to him, and in that moment, I understood why. His mouth drifted closer to mine, and I held my breath, waiting for the contact. The air between us was charged, intense. It felt raw, and for the first time in so long, I felt truly alive. For the first time, I felt seen.The smaller the distance grew, the harder my heart pounded against my ribs. I was terrified he would hear it. My eyes closed the instant his lips met mine, soft, warm, and tentative. A whole fucking fireworks display ignited in my stomach. My heart took flight, and a flock of frantic wings beat inside me.And he had not even properly kissed me yet. I suppose it was safe to say I was already, irrevocably, his.His lips sealed over mine, and his tongue swept across my bottom lip. A low moan escaped me, and I granted him entry. He did not hesitate, slipping his tongue inside. His kiss was fierce and
Bella’s pov"My need for you is not a temporary condition."The words sent a jolt straight through my core, and I felt the heat bloom violently across my cheeks.The following days were a trial by fire. I would complete my shifts at the hospital, my body already aching with exhaustion, only to report to Raymond’s side. He did not make it easy for me. There were moments of fragile peace, but more often, he was the same brutal man I had first encountered. I bit my tongue until it bled, swallowing back my retorts to his crude remarks. I endured.For weeks, I operated in a fog of profound fatigue, my back a constant knot of pain, my head throbbing in time with my heartbeat. But I pushed through the discomfort. He needed me. And, though I was reluctant to admit it, I needed to be the one he relied upon. I had fallen for him with a terrifying speed, yet there were days I fantasized about wrapping my hands around his throat. He tested my sanity, fraying my nerves until I thought I might snap







