Read Online Holding On (Memories) by Emma Hart - Free Book Online Page A

there's a desperation to the way he's holding me.
    “Love isn't easy, Princess,” he says. “But it's what makes it worth it. Every day I fight for you because you are worth it. I won't stop, Lexy. I won't stop fighting for us. Tell me to leave, push me away, tell me you don't want this. You don't mean it. I know you. I know what you want, and it's what I want. Don't tell me I still have to prove it to you, even now?”
    I shake my head. “You don't.”
    He nudges my head up. His lips take mine, moving softly across them. “Then believe me when I say,” he whispers against my mouth. “...That I'll never leave this city unless you're beside me. Never. I won't let you go, Lexy, and I don't care who tries to make me. This is it. You are it. You are forever. Don't let him destroy this. We'll do it together, I promise. Just believe in it. Don't... Please don't let us go.”
    I wrap my arms around his neck, and press my body against him, holding him to me. “I won't. I won't.”
    He strokes my hair once before his arms circle my waist again. He buries his face in my neck, his lips brushing my skin. “We can’t give him what he wants. He wants me to leave, but I won’t. Tomorrow night, we’ll show him that. Just keep holding on, Princess. That's all we have to do.”

    ~

BING

    Lexy steps out of her room in a long pink dress. She fiddles with the bracelet at her wrist, and I smile. For all our bitching, I love my sister.
    “Well, she scrubs up all right, huh, Dad?” I wink at him. Dad smiles widely, proudly.
    “She ain’t bad, son. I still think me and you got the looks, though.”
    Lexy looks up, smirking. “Yeah, okay, Dad. And Bing? Your tie isn’t straight.”
    I look down, seeing that it is. “Bitch,” I mutter, as she stops in front of me. “When are Alec and Jen getting here?”
    “Two minutes,” Mum says, leaving her room. All our eyes turn to her, and it’s clear to see who the most beautiful woman in the room will be tonight. With her dark hair curling around her shoulders setting off her floor length cream gown, there’ll be no competition.
    We watch as the same look we’ve seen a thousand times comes over Dad’s face. His smile widens, and his eyes light up. He steps towards Mum.
    “You’re beautiful, Emmy,” he says, kissing her.
    Lexy smiles, and I wrinkle up my face.
    “Let’s leave the lovebirds to it, Lex,” I take her arm, and help her down the stairs.
    She raises her eyebrows. “Who are you and what have you done with my asshole brother?”
    I laugh. “I got the lecture earlier. Use my manners, be on my best behaviour, no chatting up the waitresses, no punching any guy that looks at you, and no swearing.”
    She smirks again. “Third degree already, huh?”
    “You know Mum. Etiquette is important.” I roll my eyes.
    “Any chance of your trousers staying over your ass tonight, then?” Jen’s voice calls from the bottom of the stairs. I turn from Lexy, and look at her, almost stopping.
    Her blonde hair is curled and clipped to the side, flowing over her shoulder. The teal dress she’s wearing hugs every bit of her body, and I can’t stop my eyes from crawling over her. She shifts uncomfortably, and I hand Lexy to Alec without looking away from Jen.
    “What?” she asks. “Is something on my face?” She pats her cheek.
    I shake my head. “No. I’m just wondering if there’s actually Jen in that fancy dress, or if she’s been swapped for a nicer model.”
    Her lips curl to the side. “She’s been swapped for a nicer model, with manners.”
    “Ah, so that means if I wind her up she’ll be nice?”
    She snorts. “Don’t get too overexcited, Samuel. If you’re mean to me, I’ll still chew your ass.”
    I smirk suggestively. “In that case, I’ll be mean to you all night. I might like it if you chew my ass.” Lexy elbows me from behind and I laugh. “I’m just sayin’, it’s true.”
    Jen’s blue eyes glare at me, and I grin at her.
    “I’m warning you