This Blood That Binds Us (This Blood That Binds Us, #1)

by S.L. Cokeley

he disappeared around a corner but not before I caught a glimpse of his smile. A smile like that was going to haunt me for more than one reason.

I stood, watching her leave, before strolling up to the library. I couldn’t shake the notion that she may be the coolest person I’d ever met.

I was determined, drunk or not. Nothing was going to hurt her with me around.

“How did I end up in some angsty teenage novel?” She looked up at me through wet eyelashes. “This is not what I wanted to do today.” I couldn’t help but smile at her expression, and I led us to my window around the corner of the house. “Well, don’t fall in love with me, and there won’t be a problem.”

anything you need. I’m here for you.”

“Calem. That’s my real last name. Aaron Calem at your service. Let’s add that to our secrets list.”

I was surprised when a soft smile returned to Kimberly’s lips. I tried not to focus on it, but something about her smile drew me in. Hanging out with Kimberly made me happier than I’d felt in a long time. She was genuine. Strong. Brave. Everything I wanted to be.

“Are you sure you’re not just jealous you weren’t the only one to taste her?”

Aaron stopped to pluck a huge white peony. He brought it up to his nose to smell it before handing it to me. “You’re doomed to receive flowers from me now until the end of time since I know which is your favorite.”

“No matter what happens . . . if we have to leave, I promise that I’ll come back for you. I would never leave you here alone, and I won’t just leave without telling you. So, if I disappear because something happens to me, I just need you to know how important you are and that I wouldn’t abandon you.”

The world needed people like Aaron, someone who could find the good in any situation, someone who risked everything to save me twice.

“I’m sorry for everything. I really screwed your life up.” I smiled, wiping a few tears. “No. You didn’t. I’d do it all again. All the good. The bad. To meet you.”