Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls #1)

by Catherine Cowles

Fallon had three older brothers. One by blood, Copeland. One adoptive, Shepard. And one foster, Trace.

But an asshole was better than the alternative. Better than caring. About anything or anyone. Caring was a recipe for nothing but agony.

Happiness was the greatest torture of all because it could all be taken away—and it was so much worse than if you’d never experienced it at all.

Only the last section of each book remained dusted with black flecks from the fire. Because as frequently as I revisited each one, I couldn’t seem to force myself to make it to the end. Of any of them. Something about the endings was too painful, too final, even if they were happy.

“Their personality doesn’t matter if their mouth is busy doing other things,”

“You shouldn’t hide a damned thing, Reckless. Especially not something that proves how strong you are.”

“You don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, Reckless.” It was one that could leave us both in ruins.

Doesn’t matter how much I want to drown in your taste. How much I want to know what it would be like to sink into that sweet heat. I can’t. I won’t.”

There, on the top shelf, were six ginger beers. I didn’t say a word; simply took one and let the kindness and knowing burrow into me. “Soda or beer?” I croaked.

“Fuck it.” I was on her in two long strides.

Because the moments I was with Rho, when I heard her laugh, drowned in the feel of her, they were the only times since Greta died when I felt true peace.

“Can’t handle being away from you,” he croaked. “Especially not when you’re hurting.” He swallowed hard. “I didn’t want to care about anyone. But you shot that all to hell.” My heart hammered against my ribs, butterfly wings dying to break free. A muscle fluttered in Anson’s cheek. “You didn’t sneak past my defenses, you bulldozed them. Reckless to the bone. And maybe you made me brave enough to be reckless, too.”

“You make me want to reach for things I thought were dead and buried. You make me feel again,”

You tore down every wall I put up. I didn’t want to love you. But I fucking do. With every part of me. It’s not a sappy love. It burns. Scars. It changed me. All in the best ways. I love you, Rho. And it killed that I was too scared to give you those words until now.”

“Home is wherever you are,” he whispered. “You’re my sanctuary. Where I feel peace. Where I feel seen. Don’t want anything more.”