Read Online Behind Her Smile by Olivia Luck - Free Book Online

toying with the strands.
    I rush to him and press my cheek next to his heart. My hands grip him tight around his waist, hands fisting his shirt. “David,” I whimper. “I’m so sorry.”
    He drops his cheek to the top of my head, shaking with each breath. Silent sobs wrack his body. David clings to me, swaying on his feet. Gently, I guide him backward, kicking the door shut behind us. I lead him to the sofa and put my hands on his shoulders to press him into a seated position. The large, flat-screen television blares with the news at deafening levels. David collapses into a seat, tilting his head back until he stares blankly at the ceiling. I grab for the remote, muting the noise.
    “How could this happen? This doesn’t make any sense,” he chokes out.
    David’s hand is icy to the touch. I grab one and sandwich it between my hands, rubbing the chalky skin to get circulation back.
    “The three of them were flying to New York. Mother had a dress fitting—something custom for the Christmas party. Father and Chandler had business. They wanted me to go with them, but at the last minute I had a conflict . . .” David recounts the facts dully. “The plane burst into flames. The NTSB and FAA are investigating. This is completely surreal. Tell me this is not really happening.”
    I drop his hand and fold myself into his lap. The top of my head fits under his chin, like two puzzle pieces snapping together. His arms wind around my waist again, massaging his hands up and down the length of my spine as if to ground himself.
    “I’m so sorry,” I whisper against his skin. Normally warm and welcoming, the flesh is icy here, too.
    Next to us, David’s cell phone buzzes intermittently as we sit there silently, clinging to the other as life preservers in the tumultuous sea. At one point, I doze; my eyes grow heavy with emotional exhaustion.
    “Karolina.” David jostles me in his lap, jarring me awake.
    “Yes?” I respond drowsily.
    “We need to talk,” he says urgently. He moves me out of his lap and turns me sideways on the cushion. We sit face to face, David illuminated by the flicker of the television. The depressed, sludge in him is gone. His eyes dart around rapidly, cataloguing my features.
    “Of course. What is it?”
    “I love you.”
    All of my muscles clench in shock. I’m stunned silent. Of all the things he could say, that’s what he’s telling me? Now, of all times? I thought he would bring up funeral arrangements or disbelief—anything but love.
    “Don’t think I’m crazy to tell you. Look at what’s happening in my life. One second, my family is alive, and the next, they’re all gone. In a few days, I’ll be forced to bury them. They didn’t—when I left the office earlier, it was business as usual. I loved them.” His voice gets thick again. “I love them, and I should have told them every chance I got. Don’t you see, Karolina? I love you, and you need to know it. There can never be any doubt in your mind that I love you fully, as you deserve to be loved.”
    I don’t know why I say it back. Maybe because David just got the worst news of his life. Maybe because being around David makes me the happiest I’ve ever been. Maybe because he believes I’m something special. All the logic disappears when I meet his unblinking gaze.
    “I love you too, David.” It slips out of my mouth without checking with my brain first. Blessedly, David doesn’t notice my hesitation. He reaches toward me, captures the nape of my neck in both his hands, and pulls me forward for a ferocious kiss. Pressure rings around my neck, squeezing tight until I struggle backward to gasp for air. David watches me hungrily, the intent clear.
    “You’re going to marry me,” he says suddenly.
    “Wait—what?” I stammer in shock. He can’t be serious.
    “Karolina, I need you. You can’t leave me. Ever. Promise me you won’t leave me. Promise me you’ll be my wife.” His hands are still around my neck, applying