Here With You Forever (Evermore Series Book 2)

by BriAnn Danae

When life unexpectedly forces you to grieve, sometimes you have to isolate yourself or you’ll lose your mind.

“THE MAN I AM ISN’T LETTING YOU DO THIS ALONE.”

The structure of his face was a work of art. It was a masterpiece, a one-of-one collector’s edition with the dreamiest, dark brown eyes that made you feel at peace with one glance.

Whether he was first on it or last, Cree was still appreciative. He considered every moment in life a privilege because, to him, it was.

Cree’s the type of man you didn’t have to ask to do something… he just did it.

She’d always loved the sound of his voice and how he never seemed to rush his words. It was warm and soothing, with a low, rumbled drawl and accent showcasing his Southern roots. Oklahoma, to be specific.

“The man I am isn’t letting you do this alone. You know me better than that.”

“YOU DESERVE EVERYTHING GOOD IN THIS WORLD.”

Continue to keep your hands around her and Landon. May her days get easier and her nights restful. She deserves that, and I know you can make it happen.

Having a man speak to God about you on his behalf was a different type of love that made Leerah want to cry.

“I’ve prayed for you since the day I met you.”

His words were spoken with the utmost confidence as if he knew that years from when they’d met, she’d need those prayers. It spoke volumes about the type of man Cree was and spoke even louder about his heart. It was pure and golden.

You deserve everything good in this world, and if that’s me, let me be that for now.”

Leerah was an exclusive edition you only got to experience if luck was on your side.

“YOUR FEELINGS ARE MORE INVOLVED THAN BEFORE.”

Terrance had dimmed her light when Cree knew she was meant to only ever shine bright around this motherfucker; no matter who didn’t like it.

Grown men take care of what they love. They take care of the home even if it wasn’t theirs to begin with but made it theirs. If you’re in it for the wrong reasons, I think I’d raised a fool.”

Keeping a family together was tough, but keeping a family together that didn’t come from you was tougher.

Cree looks like the type of nigga who talks you through it.”

Friends who love and

care about you want to see you at your best and lift you up at your lowest. Those tough conversations were meant to be had, and Leerah was all ears.

“There’s no right or wrong way to grieve. You have to be willing to understand that some decisions you make are because of that. I

Something about Black people laughing loudly, unashamed of their happiness, made people tune in. Everyone wanted to know what they had to smile and be happy about. It was the small things like cracking jokes with your friends about working out, knowing one of y’all was faking.

Cree was giving out foreplay without touching her. A man good with his words surely had to be better with his mouth, and Leerah wanted to test her theory.

It’d been placed on hold to be with Terrance, waiting for him to get his life together and prove her wrong, but she could no longer remain stagnant. If she didn’t give her life some gas, she’d remain stuck, unhappy, and continuously grieving what didn’t work out.

Cree wasn’t a rebound; he was a reward.

Leerah deserved every uplifting word, sense of security, outpouring of love, unwavering support, and utmost respect he had to give.

“Nah. I got everything I need right next to me.”

In her mind, dry humping wasn’t a lost art to Leerah. It was an act so sensually vulnerable, with its heavy breathing and longing stares. There was a yearning for so much more, not knowing when they’d get

it.

“Leerah Canady and Cree Landry. The spellings are almost the same, too. That’s…” “Kismet,” he said and winked. “Your turn.”

She was exposing herself more than she already had—not just physically, either. Cree had tapped into a side of her that Leerah no longer wanted to keep hidden.

She’d adapted to the demands, risking it all to bring a life into this world and still maintained an innate sensuality that had him ready to give her the world.

Her body didn’t just tell a story of birth. Its dips and curves narrated growth, love, strength, and, most of all, resilience.

He was packing heavily like a woman did her suitcase for a three-day vacation. It was extra everything— sickening veins, impressive length, proud girth, daunting weight, and extra fucking pretty in its chocolate hue.

“AIN’T NO GOING BACK AFTER THIS.”

She became a student of the game as Cree gave her a lesson on lovemaking.

He said a quick prayer over her womb, knowing and believing that one day a life created by the love shared between them would reside there.

The smell of her had him high like he’d popped a pill.

Without speaking, he showed that he desired her. It was in the thrusting of his tongue in her mouth, the ravenous bites to her bottom lip, and the movement of his hips between her legs. She’d finally decoded the language he had spoken to her in earlier.

Anybody who brought her pain and any type of suffering was going to have to see him. He was willing to fall out with whoever about Leerah and her good-ass pussy. Morals and relationship history be damned.

Cree had the type of dick that placed you in a straitjacket.

The backshots he was delivering had her seeing stars, and Leerah wondered how much it’d cost to name one after him. He rightfully earned that spot in the sky.

“No. Who are you to me?” he questioned. Leerah’s eyes misted. “Tell me,” he urged. “Your princess.” “And what do princesses get?” he asked. She wiped the tear on her face. “Anything they want.” “Exactly. So, if you want me, I’m yours. Fuck what anyone else thinks.”

There was a list of things Cree wanted her to have besides his heart. Commitment.

Support. Attention. Effort. Time. Honesty. Protection. Respect. But most of all, a friendship — one where she wasn’t afraid to cross the line. He thought she had gotten over it without letting others’ opinions sway her love for him, but today proved she still needed more time.

fucking first in the water and you trying to leave me out here by myself.” “But I’m⁠—” Cree cut her off with a kiss on the lips. “Find you a life jacket and come get me. I’ll be here waiting for you.”

things, too. Memories that were created together, restaurants you no longer eat at because it was with them, a certain scent they wore that you try to avoid, and even songs that come on and make you think of them. Those were the small things. Grief was an aggressive bitch, but Leerah was ready to fight back.

She was grieving the hold fear had on her, burying it in an empty spot in the grass. Fear had no place in her life if she wanted to move forward and truly give herself and Cree a chance.

If you dare to dip your toe into the vast, rushing currents of life, you may discover that all you truly ever wanted to do was swim.