Victoria
Here we stood, so close yet so far away. I bit my lip. What if he wouldn’t take me back? I’d wanted so badly to tell him earlier how much I loved him and beg his forgiveness. Now that the danger was over, would he still feel the same? I swallowed hard.
“Thank you.”
He lifted a brow, and my fingers itched to slap the insolent look from his face. He clearly wasn’t going to make this easy for me. I shifted from foot to foot, arms wrapped around my middle.
“I… I was wrong. I should’ve listened to you.”
His face softened. “I never would’ve guessed he was responsible. I just thought—”
“I know.” I held up a hand. “But you were right about Johnathan, about the type of person he is… was.”
I shuddered remembering his plunge into the river. Even had he not been fatally shot, it would have been almost impossible to survive a fall like that. I shrugged off the guilt and stood straighter, staring Blake in the eye. “Will you…” I cleared her throat, shoving down the emotion welling up within me. “Could you ever forgive me?”
“Oh, Doc.”
The nickname sounded so sweet to my ears, and I threw myself at him as his arms opened in invitation. “I’m sorry, Blake.” The tears I’d held at bay let loose and I buried my head against his neck. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know, sweetheart, I know.” Strong arms banded tightly around my waist, holding me close.
I stared up at him. “Please tell me I haven’t ruined things between us.”
“Of course not.” Blake shook his head. “I told you I’d wait forever, and I meant it.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
“No, you don’t.” The words were like a dagger to my heart, and I felt my knees go weak. I bit my lip and ducked my head, blinking away the tears scalding my eyes. One large palm slid under my chin and lifted my gaze to his. Hazel eyes stared into mine, burning a path to my soul.
“You deserve better, but you’re stuck with me now.” He winked, and relief washed over me.
“I love you.”
His arms tightened around me almost to the point of pain. “I love you so damned much. I’m never letting you go.”
I shook my head. “Never.”
His mouth covered mine, savage and brutal. One hand left my side to flip the deadbolt on the door before he swung me into his arms. Despite his injury, he carried me as if I weighed nothing. I relished the feeling, and I sank deeper into the kiss, pouring every ounce of love into it.
I whimpered as his lips left mine and he settled me on the bed. He took a step backward and my heart lurched in my chest as I watched him pull his damp shirt over his head then toss it to the floor. I struggled with my jeans for a minute before he stilled me with a hand.
His hungry gaze swept over me and I lay back, allowing him the control he craved. He slipped his fingers inside the waistband and tugged my jeans over my hips and down my legs. He continued until I was bare before him and with one swift motion, he shoved his bottoms to the floor and stepped out of the pool of material.
He placed a knee on the bed between my thighs, caging me between his muscular arms. I stared up at him, watching him watch me with those intense hawk-like hazel eyes. I wanted to stare into his eyes every day for the rest of my life. This was what I’d waited my whole life for. I’d been waiting for him.
I lifted a hand to his cheek and he closed his eyes, turning his head to kiss my palm. “I love you.”
He showed me without words just how much he loved me, too, until we lay tangled together and drifted off into a comfortable, exhausted sleep.
* * *
I stood at the kitchen window, looking out at the horizon over the backyard. The rain had stopped just after noon and the sun shining through the puffy white clouds brought a rainbow across the sky. Absorbed in the beauty of the scene, I didn’t hear Blake approach until his strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me to him. I released a sigh of deep contentment and allowed my head to fall back against his good shoulder.
“Do you remember the verse in the bible about Noah’s Ark?”
“Sure.” He paused. “Two of every animal and they were stuck on the boat for weeks until they found dry land.”
I smiled. “Something like that. Do you remember the rainbow?”
His head shook against my shoulder. “Can’t say I do.”
“God sent a rainbow to appear after the flood; it was his promise to the world that he would never allow rain to flood the earth ever again.”
“Mmm. I see.”
I could tell he didn’t. “I just… I saw the rainbow and it reminded me that good things still happen—that there are still good people in the world.” I turned in his arms and peered up at him. “Even if something bad happens, there’s always hope to continue on. Blake… You’re my something good. My salvation.”
“I think that rainbow’s a good omen, then, don’t you?” His head canted to one side as he studied me. “I would do anything for you, Doc. I’ll always be there for you. No matter how bad the storm, I’ll always be there at the end waiting for you.”
“I love you so much.” Hot tears sprang to my eyes. “I’m sorry it took so long to realize it.”
“I’m just glad you’re safe. When I got that call from Jason last night…” His voice trailed off and I slid my arms around his waist, anchoring myself to him. I felt his lips on my hair as he spoke. “God, baby, I thought I’d never see you again.”
“I know, but now we’re both home where we belong.”
“Speaking of home.” He pulled back and stared down at me, eyes full of regret. “I’m sorry about our fight that night. I never should have—”
I lifted onto my toes and pressed my lips to his, stealing the words that had driven us apart. One kiss turned into two, and several long moments later I broke away, taking a deep breath to slow my racing heart.
“I realized something over the past few days. I tried so hard to fight my feelings for you—my mind kept telling me it was impossible, that it was too soon to love you. But my heart knew better. It doesn’t matter where we are, as long as I’m with you.”
Hope lit his eyes and his arms tightened, binding me to him as I was enfolded into his embrace.
“I’m right where I’m supposed to be.” My cheek rested over his heart, beating in time with mine. “Home.”
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Get ready for more of the sexy alphas of the Quentin Security Series! Two years after their drunken wedding in Vegas, Xander runs into his ex... and his little girl! Read Devil in the Details now, or turn the page for a sneak peek!
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