Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls, #1)

by Catherine Cowles

The last thing I wanted was to walk any closer to Rhodes. To her brightness, her color. It only made me realize just how gray my world had become.

There wasn’t a person who crossed Rhodes’ path that didn’t seem transfixed by her. It only annoyed me more that I’d become one of the horde.

Hearing her say my name was the most beautiful kind of torture.

“You don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, Reckless.”

he calls her reckless 🫶🏼

I was so screwed. And not in a good way.

He always answered for her, was what Fallon meant. Because they had a bond that none of the rest of us had ever managed

Kye and Fallon ??

But that wasn’t the case with Fallon. He always let her in.

Definitely Kye and Fallon

Shep’s words echoed in my head. “The shit Anson’s dealt with…it’s dark. Darker than anything we’ve seen.”

“You shouldn’t be alone in it.” A muscle fluttered in Anson’s cheek. “Alone is the only way it doesn’t taint someone else.”

I stalked down the hallway, pissed as all hell. At her. At me. At the fact that my fucked-up brokenness meant that Rho was someone I should never touch with my tainted fingers.

“What happens if you snap?” she whispered. “I fuck you so hard you’ll feel me for weeks. I’ll ruin you, Reckless. You think I can’t taint you with my pain and the darkness that lives inside me, but you’re wrong.”

“You’re good at a lot of things, Reckless, but not turning me on isn’t one of them. Try being a little less fucking cute and not talking about my dick.”

😂

I needed to rein it in. One taste of her, and she was all I wanted. All I could see.

“You’re safe. I promise.” But I knew that was a promise I couldn’t keep. Because I’d failed before, and it was always the people closest to me who paid the price.

“Sleep, Reckless. I’ll keep the demons away.”

“I told you more than I’ve told anyone.”

I just kept staring. Watching as the one thing that had made me happy for even the briefest moment disappeared right out of my life.

“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.”

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.”

I didn’t care that my muscles ached or that my head thrummed. Because Anson had me in his arms. And he was letting me in.

“Told you. Can’t stay away. You clawed yourself inside. Walking away would be like tearing out a part of myself—even if it would be the smart move.”

“This is real. I’m probably going to fuck it up a million times over, but I won’t stop trying.”

I reached over, sliding a hand across her jaw. “I’d go to hell and back for you.”

At least I had my community amid all the upheaval in my life. People who made me smile and laugh, who were there in good times and bad.

A sly smile spread across his face. “You wanna play, Reckless?”

“You’re with me. If I leave, if I stay, wherever the hell the path leads, you’re with me.”

She stretched up onto her tiptoes, brushing her lips across mine. “I like you just the way you are. Broodiness and all.”

I grinned against her mouth. “Even if I never wear color?” “One day, you’re going to rock the hell out of a pink shirt.” I grunted. Not likely.

hoping he’ll be wearing a pink shirt by the end of the book😭😂

“I’m going to be fine.” Rho looked over at me. “Are you sure?” I nodded. “Know how I know?” “How?” I weaved my fingers through hers. “Because you’re with me.”

“Thanks for believing in me.” “There’s no one on this planet I have more faith in.”

It wasn’t an I love you, but I would take it.

“There’s something about her. She sees things others miss. She’s got this hard exterior, but when she thinks no one’s watching, she’s got a gentleness about her.”

Shep and Thea ??

I loved her. My throat constricted, a burn alighting there. I should’ve told her.

You tore down every wall I put up. I didn’t want to love you. But I fucking do. With every part of me.

I love you, Rho. And it killed that I was too scared to give you those words until now.”

He cupped my cheek. “I love you.” “With every part of me.”

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

“You gave me air when I thought I’d never breathe again. You gave me color when my world had gone black. You see every part of me.

I don’t want to spend another moment without you. Marry me.”