Chapter 154
In the cozy confines of Rhett’s home.
Kristin sought refuge beneath the quilt, her heart pounding furiously as if it were trying to escape her chest.
The hushed darkness of the room seemed to amplify the sound of her racing pulse.
As Rhett drew nearer, her anxiety crescendoed, filling the space with a tangible tension.
The light from the bedside lamp dimmed, plunging Kristin into a cocoon of shadows. She clutched her hands tightly, bracing herself as the room slipped into darkness with Rhett’s touch.
“Do you always bury yourself under the covers like that?” Rhett’s voice was a velvety caress. sending Kristin into a fluttering frenzy.
Mustering all her courage, Kristin peeked out from her sanctuary, wrapping the blanket tightly around her as she cautiously observed Rhett.
He lay beside her, his deep voice breaking the silence. “Sleep now.”
The bed was vast. There was a chasm between them. Silence reigned, and no further words were exchanged.
True to his word, Rhett did not lay a finger on her, allowing her to drift into a peaceful slumber.
Once he felt her breathing even out beside him, Rhett turned his gaze upon Kristin, watching her for a long while. He had never imagined sharing his bed with a woman. Other women had tried to inveigle their way into his sheets, but he only felt revulsion.
Now, anticipation filled him, eager for the moment she would awaken and look into his eyes.
“Are you asleep?” he whispered.
Kristin did not stir, deeply ensconced in her dreams.
“She’s completely off her guard,” Rhett mused with a wry smile, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Kristin was stunning, the kind of beauty that would stand out in any crowd with high cheekbones and eyes that were deep yet cool.
He remembered her as the Swan Queen on stage. Perhaps from that fleeting encounter, she had found a place in his heart, even if he was unaware of it.
None of the women he met afterward could match the initial wonder he had felt.
The following morning, Kristin stirred awake to find herself curled up in his embrace. Paralyzed with fear, she shivered.
She glanced at her pillow. On the vast expanse of the bed, they occupied only a third, with Rhett
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perilous close to the edge.
Guit–ridden, she clasped her hands. She hadn’t realized she had a habit of snuggling close in her sleep.
“Awake?” Rhett asked with a soft chuckle, noticing her tensed form in his arms.
There was something profoundly delightful about waking up to the face you longed to see, a warmth the old Rhett had never known.
“W. FitzGerald, I’m sorry.” Kristin stuttered, suddenly springing up to get dressed and prepare. breakfast.
Rhett, too. rose and found his toothbrush already prepped by Kristin.
With a smile, he tousled his hair. The home was starting to feel different, a place no longer just for living but filled with life.
“Summer, did you brush your teeth properly?” Kristin called to the little one as she cooked.
Summer, too short to reach the sink, looked up at Rhett for help.
Rhett paused, his heart squeezing at the word “Daddy.” He effortlessly lifted the little tyke. handing him a new toothbrush with toothpaste. “I’ll pick out a fun kids‘ toothbrush for you after school
Held in Rhett’s arms. Summer diligently brushed his teeth. “Daddy, are you going to pick me up from school?”
Rhett affirmed with a nod
Summer’s eyes lit up with joy. “Daddy, will you always love me?”
Rhett answered without hesitation, “Always.”
“Can 1 keep calling you Daddy?” Summer asked again, hopeful.
“Yes.‘ Rhett assured, ruffling his hair.
“And if you have other kids someday, you’ll still like me, right?” Summer’s innocence belied his
understanding.
Rhett troze, the implication dawning on him. Was Summer afraid he’d be replaced if Rhett had his children?
Looking in the mirror, Rhett was struck by the resemblance. Summer’s earnest face as he rinsed his toothbrush was the spitting image of his own.
“Summer?
Kristin’s call for breakfast interrupted the moment. She paused at the bathroom door, struck by the uncanny similarity. The way Summer nestled in Rhett’s arms looked like two versions of the same person, just in different sizes.
Chapter 154
Regaining his composure, Rhett addressed Kristin, setting Summer down. “I’ll have the housekeeper set up a room for kids. It’ll be good for Summer to have a choice of where to stay. Plus, he probably wants to spend more time with his mom, right?”
“Um… it’s not necessary,” Kristin replied, flustered, hugging Summer close. “Garner is away on business with his boss and he’ll be back tomorrow.”
Rhett persisted, “A kids‘ room would be convenient. Where will Summer stay on Sundays?”
“At Melissa’s,” Summer piped up earnestly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Rhett raised an eyebrow. How had Melissa managed to charm both Garner and Summer into her life?
“I’m a real man and I’ve got to be there for Melissa. I kissed her, so I’ve got to hang out with her every week,” Summer said with earnest conviction.
Rhett couldn’t help but chuckle. Only Melissa could spin a tale that would hook a kid like that.
“Summer…” Kristin struggled to keep a straight face, her cheeks turning pink with stifled laughter. “You should be polite. She’s Miss Melissa, Uncle Garner’s girlfriend.”
Summer blinked, a little confused. “But she told me to call her name.”
Kristin’s laughter rang out, a perfect echo of Melissa’s free–spirited nature.
Rhett stood up, taking Summer by the hand to go grab some lunch, when a thought struck him. He leaned down and whispered to Summer, “You know, it might be best to keep Garner away
from Melissa.”
It wasn’t that Melissa was bad news. It’s just that some things were too heavy for Garner to lift. The dangers lurking around Melissa were way beyond what Kristin and Garner could imagine.
Kristin looked at Rhett, concern etching her features. “But Melissa got such a great personality.”
She really liked Melissa’s vibe.
“It’s not about her being good or bad…” Rhett struggled to find the right words without alarming
Kristin.
“Let’s just say that Garner and Melissa are from different worlds. It’s probably best if they don’t get tangled up emotionally,” Rhett advised seriously.
Kristin paused, her gaze falling. Was Rhett suggesting that Garner and her, with their ordinary lives, didn’t belong in the same world as Melissa and Rhett?
Maybe Rhett had a point. People from different worlds, forcing their way into each other’s lives, often ended up getting hurt.
