The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 208

Petty’s lips trembled as Franco kissed her, his movements hard and demanding. He grabbed the back of her neck, pressing his forehead against hers, his voice a ragged whisper slipping through clenched teeth. “Did those guys touch you?”

His breath was so hot and close it nearly drowned her. Everything else faded away and she answered before she could stop herself. “No…”

Franco caught the redness around her eyes. As she opened her mouth, his own breath came quick and heavy. Then he bent down and kissed her again, fierce and deep, tasting the warmth of her lips.

Outside the little white cottage, the storm raged. Rain battering the roof, howling wind twisting through the dark. Waves crashed over and over against the shore, so high they sounded like thunder shaking the whole island. Water poured across the land, swallowing everything in its path, strong enough to make the island itself shudder.

Upstairs, the lights shut off, plunging their room into shadows. Clothes fell in a careless heap on the floor.

Franco pressed Petty back into the corner.

“Petty…” he called out softly.

Neither of them could see clearly in the dark.

“Why did you save me?” Her voice cracked, barely holding back the ache in her chest. She bit her lip, fighting to keep the pain inside.

You shouldn’t have come for me, Franco.

You shouldn’t have.

How am I supposed to move on now? What do you expect me to do?

Her nails dug into his back, fingers clinging desperately. Hot tears fell from her eyes, landing on his strong arms and tracing a path down his tense muscles until they finally hit the floor.

Franco didn’t say a word. He grabbed her legs, wrapping them firmly around his waist. Every move was rough, urgent, as if he needed to remind her that she was still here, that they both were.

Realizing what he intended, Petty pressed her palms hard against his chest. She looked up at him through blurred tears, her voice shaking. “Is there even a little part of you that…”

“Stop.” His voice was deep and cold.

But over in Cabinda, regular life still ticked by.

Laura was supposed to be discharged from the hospital that day. She spent all morning waiting in her room, but nobody came from Franco’s side to pick her up.

The housekeeper kept trying to cheer her up. “Maybe Franco’s coming himself?” she guessed, practically bouncing with excitement.

That had to be it. With how much Franco cared, he would never leave Laura waiting on such an important day. He would come for her himself, no doubt.

The housekeeper was determined to help Laura look perfect. She rushed to the closet and pulled out two dresses, holding them against Laura’s body as if she couldn’t decide for herself. “You have to wear the white one. It’s beautiful on you. You look just like someone’s dream.”

But her attempts to please only made Laura feel worse. Laura’s hands curled tighter and tighter, heart pounding with the sense that something was very wrong. Anxiety pressed down on her, sharp and cold. She couldn’t shake the terrible feeling that something was about to happen.

And the woman fussing beside her was just making everything worse, completely missing the storm brewing inside her heart.