Insufferable Proximity 2 Read Online Free PDF

you’ve been strong long enough. It’s time to let me take care of you,” he whispered as he rubbed her back.
     
    Where those words would once anger her, they now brought her relief. She didn’t want to be strong right now. She needed to do what came natural for once; she needed to release her pent-up emotions. It felt like a soda can had been shaken inside of her, and she was finally pulling that tight tab.
     
    With one arm wrapped around her and the other one under her butt, Julian carried her over to the settee. He sat down, and her legs straddled his lap. She pushed her face against his chest as she continued to cry. He held her close, kissing the side of her face as he continued to rub her back.
     
    “I-I,” she stuttered as she sat back to look at him. She tried to catch her breath and slow the tears long enough to speak, “He almost k-k-killed you. I d-don’t know what I would have done if he’d…" she choked on her words.
     
    “I don’t want you to worry about me; Gavin will never get his hands on me. The only way that he can hurt me—is by hurting you. I can’t even stand the thought of him near you again. So right now I need to focus on you.”
     
    “But I am worried,” she said with vulnerability.
     
    “Shush.” He put his finger to her lips before stroking the side of her face, trying to ease the pain he saw in her eyes.
     
    She alone was the reflection of his love, and the only proof he had that his heart was no longer dead. When he looked into her eyes, he saw his own happiness. He knew for the first time in his life that he was alive, and it was because of her. The thought of losing her plagued him and filled him with despair. He would do anything to prevent it.
     
    “I’d sell my soul to keep you safe, Heaven. Don’t you know that? I’d give up everything I’ve ever owned, known or loved to keep you alive and here with me,” he vowed as he kissed her lips. It was a kiss to seal his vow to keep her safe. It was a kiss as binding as any marital contract. He kissed her to soothe the fear in her heart. He kissed her because she was alive and in his arms. He kissed her to remind her that he would forever be by her side. “I’ll always protect you.”
     
    She clung to him. “Don’t ever leave me.”
     
    “I never will.”
     
    “I love you, Julian,” she whispered. She wished she could take back all of the time she’d spent hating him. She would never make that mistake again.
     
    “I love you, too.” He kissed her lips lightly.
     
    He held her tightly as he stood up and walked over to the steaming bathtub. He lowered her to her feet and helped her undress. She stood before him slightly dazed and covered in dirt. She had bits of grass in her hair; she was naked, vulnerable and absolutely beautiful. At that very moment, he knew his mission in life was to keep this lovely hellion safe.
     
    “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”
     
    “What about you?” she asked.
     
    “I’ll take a shower later.”
     
    “No,” she whispered as she took his hand.
     
    He knew what she meant, and quickly stripped down. He picked her up and carefully stepped into the large tub. He positioned himself behind her and pulled her back between his legs.
     
    “I need to wash my hair.”
     
    “I think you should wait.”
     
    “I’ll avoid that area; I’ll just wash the opposite side of my head.”
     
    “I’ll help you.” He reached over and grabbed the black ceramic bowl.
     
    “Put your head back a little,” he instructed as he filled the bowl with water. He slowly poured the water over her hair, grabbed the shampoo and carefully began to wash the bottom half of her hair. He didn’t want to hurt her any further, and avoided the area where her head struck the ground. As he finished washing her hair, he parted it to see the large, deep bruise pooling around the small bandage. He felt his insides churn, and his heart began to race.
     
    He never wanted to see her hurt again,