My Beautiful (The Beautiful Series) Read Free

agreement, completely spent from my overwhelming emotions. I tilted my head to the side and laid it on his chest. His arms immediately gathered me close again while I replayed his encouraging words in my mind. They meant more to me than he could ever imagine. I could hear his heart beating beneath my ear, and my eyes began to feel heavy. Being in Kyle’s arms gave me a sense of peace. I felt complete with him by my side.
    I looked up into Kyle’s eyes. I wanted to thank him for everything he had done for me. Just then, a breeze picked up, blowing a few strands of my hair across my cheeks.
    Kyle smiled softly and used his fingers to tuck the stray pieces behind my ear. “You’ve had a long day. Come on, beautiful, let’s get you some sleep.”
    We walked over to the hammock, and Kyle pushed both of his hands onto it to steady himself as he nervously lowered to a sitting position. I bit my lip, holding back a laugh. I was seriously not sure if the hammock would be strong enough to hold me, let alone him and his muscles.
    He lifted his legs and stretched back into the hammock. He sat completely motionless as he waited to make sure it would hold his weight. “I see you trying not to laugh.” Grinning, he patted the space next to him.
    A chuckle slipped past my lips. “One wrong move, and we’re going to flip. You know that, right?”
    “Yep, so move slowly.”
    I carefully braced my palms on the hammock and then slowly lowered myself next to him. Luckily for us, it was a pretty large hammock. I bravely pivoted my hips to snuggle into his side while using my legs to counter the movement. The familiarity of his body against mine was relaxing. Kyle had a way of putting my nerves at ease while ridding my mind of any unwanted thoughts.
    “So, what do we do tomorrow?” I asked.
    He kissed my forehead as his fingers brushed through my hair. I closed my eyes and welcomed his touch. He always knew how to soothe my uneasiness.
    “We’ll take tomorrow one step at a time. We’ll do whatever you feel comfortable doing.”
    I was ready to let sleep take me over. “Thank you…for everything,” I murmured. I let out a yawn.
    Kyle kissed my temple softly. “Thank you for being my everything.”
    ***
    Tender tiny fingers reached for me, pleading to be held, while the sweetest bluest eyes I had ever seen looked out to me. Little brown curls were wrapped around the smallest ears, and I wanted to run my fingers through the soft hair around the nape of his neck.
    But I could not get closer.
    I reached and reached, his hand just beyond my grasp each time.
    My heartbeat kicked up a notch, and my blood pumped through my veins. My instincts told me I had to clutch on to that tiny hand at any sacrifice even if it cost me my life.
    I scrambled, trying to think of a way to touch and grab hold of those precious hands.
    Large hands gathered around those little fingers that I was so desperately attempting to get to and pulled them farther away from me.
    ***
    “No! Give him back!” I screamed. I strained to sit up but firm hands wrapped around my waist, holding me down. My body swayed as if I were floating. My eyes darted around frantically, searching for that child, but I could only see darkness. Let me go!
    “Lily!” a sleepy, rough voice said in my ear.
    Cool air brushed along the exposed skin on my arms, and a chill ran up my spine. “No! Let me go! I need to help him!” Tears streamed down my face as my lungs constricted painfully, and I gasped for my next breath. I need to help that child.
    “Lily, you’re dreaming,” Kyle said soothingly in an effort to calm me.
    His hands ran up and down the sides of my arms while my body shook uncontrollably.
    “It’s okay. I’ve got you,” Kyle said, his voice gentle. He drew me closer to the warmth of his body, keeping the coldness at bay. He hesitated for a moment. “Who did you need to help, Lily?”
    I blinked as I inhaled the smell of him. I wiped the tears away from my eyes and