He captures my chin, dipping his face to mine. “I’d throw you over my shoulder if I had to, but I wouldn’t need to, because the second you saw me, you’d fling your arms around me and cry. And you know what I’d do, Olivia?” His nose touches mine, trailing the length of it. “I’d hold you. I’d kiss you. I’d tell you it was okay, that I forgive you for the words you said when you were hurting and scared. Then I’d ask you to forgive me for acting without thinking, for bringing you back here and contributing to a narrative that only feeds your fears.” With a low sigh, Carter sinks back against the
...more
