“I’m sorry.” Sadness shows in her eyes for me. It wasn't even there when I told her about her family. That’s Kennedy though. Worrying about the people around her and not herself. That’s where I came in. I’d worry over her enough for both of us.
“Don’t be sorry. You told me one day we’d make our own family. I’m holding you to that.”
“Pretty sure we already started.”
“Seems so.” I rub my hand across her belly, knowing whoever did this is going to pay. People call me ruthless for a reason. I do whatever it takes to get what I want.
There is no stopping me.
7
Kennedy
Dane’s presence is overwhelming. It’s not only his size but all of him. He’s bigger than life. He fills up the room with his power, dominating all the space around him. It reminds me of Fawn’s husband, Roman. He can do that at times too. While it can be intimidating, knowing that he’s my protector has me relaxing more than I have since I woke up in the hospital.
“Kennedy.” Dane swipes his thumb across my lips. I watch as he brings it to his mouth, sucking the icing off. I lick my lips, tasting the sweetness of the dessert he ordered with lunch. “Do you need anything?”
“What?” I snort a laugh. “We barely put a dent into this.”
My eyes almost popped out of my head when they brought in the room service earlier. Dish after dish had been placed on the table. I enjoyed all of it. Dane really did know how to order for me. He even fed me half of it himself. He insisted I was eating for two, but it looked as though he ordered for ten.
“You might have a craving.” He shrugs.
“I’m fine really.” I’m not sure he believes me, but I can see he’s fighting some battle inside of himself.
“You’re not fine.” He rises to his feet, running his hand through his dark hair as he paces back and forth. He ditched his suit jacket, rolling up the sleeves of his buttoned-up shirt. He might look more casual and relaxed, but Dane is nowhere close.
“But I’m safe?” He stops pacing.
“You’ll always be safe with me. I don’t care if I have to build a house and dig a moat around it and fill it with water.” I think he’s joking, and I wait for him to crack a small smile or something but it never comes. I think he’s dead serious. A warm feeling fills my belly at the thought of the lengths he’d go to protect me.
“Are you always this intense?” I drop my head, realizing that was rude. “I’m sorry. I just meant…”
“Yes.” He comes back over, offering me his hand. Without a thought I reach up and take it. He guides me over to where the sofa is in front of the fireplace. “You’re the only one who can ever get me to relax.” He pulls me down with him, putting me onto his lap. I feel sexy and feminine like this.
“I find that a bit hard to believe.” I run my finger down his jaw. From the moment Dane showed up today, his hands have barely even left me.
He always has to be touching me. I’m finding I’m starting to do the same. I crave him. There is something deep inside of me that recognizes him. That wants to be around him.
“The last few months have been hell. I don’t see myself relaxing until I know everything that happened that day.”
“We could move past it. What if we never find out? Will this haunt us for years to come?” The questions pour from my mouth.
“I will find out.” He says it with such confidence I believe him. “They could try again.” My hand goes to my stomach, and I realize Dane’s is already there. He leans in, kissing the shell of my ear. “They won’t get close enough. No one will ever touch a hair on your head again as long as I’m still breathing.”
I turn my head, my mouth coming to his. My eyes fall closed. Dane’s fingers wrap around the back of my neck, his thumb at my chin, tilting my head back more to deepen the kiss. I need to be closer. Everything inside of me is screaming for that.
I shift, turning my body around to face him, my knees dropping to either side of his legs. “Kennedy.” Dane groans my name. “I missed you so damn much, baby.” Emotions start to overwhelm me. A sense of belonging fills me.
“I know it sounds crazy,” I say. “But I missed you too. That emptiness inside of me was because I was missing you.”
“Baby. Don’t cry.” He kisses my cheeks. “I’ve got you.”
“And you love me,” I add. It never gets old having that reminder. I didn’t think anyone loved me in the way this man does. I’d felt so alone and lost.