“You’re the man I love. The man I trust.” She’d confided in him, been willing to believe him…when Brock had wanted her to doubt. She’d listened to her heart this time. She hadn’t run from him.
I’ll never run again.
“You don’t know all my secrets…”
She swallowed and gazed steadily up at him. “Maybe it’s time I did. And maybe it’s time you learned all of mine.” The good, the bad, all the gray ones in between.
His fingers curled around hers. “I don’t want to lose you. I don’t…I can’t.”
He thought she wouldn’t love him? If she knew the darkness inside? Oh, he was so wrong. The darkness had drawn her from the beginning. “If Brock ever gets out…if he comes after you or my brother…” Her breath eased out in a soft exhale. “Then I will kill him. It won’t be slow.” That wasn’t for her. Torture, fear? No. “It will be quick and fast, and I will never hesitate.”
His eyes widened a bit.
“I’d do it because I love you, and I won’t let anyone hurt you.” She’d realized some truths of her own. “Because I don’t think I can ever let you go, either.” Her lips curled in a smile that felt sad. “The last year has been hell, and I never want to go through any of that pain again.”
His arms wrapped around her, and he lifted her up, holding her easily against him as her toes dangled a bit above the carpet.
“I wanted you for all that time,” she confessed.
“I dreamed of you every damn night,” he whispered back as his mouth came closer to hers.
“Only you,” Cat told him.
“Love, you’re the only one, ever, for me.” His lips took hers. Passion, love, lust—it was all there. Everything was there. In his kiss. In his touch.
Her arms wrapped around his neck. Cat held him as tightly as she could.
Her husband. Her lover.
Her legs lifted and curled around his hips. Her mouth pulled from his, just for a moment. “Tell me,” she breathed against him.
“I love you…” He started carrying her through the den. Back…back to the bedroom. His lips captured hers once more. His tongue thrust into her mouth. Her panties got wet.
He lowered her onto the bed.
“Tell me,” she said once more.
His hands braced on either side of her head. His gaze held hers. “I love you,” he said, the words thick with desire. “Forever.”
That was exactly what she wanted. “I love you,” Cat whispered.
Then his left hand curled around hers. Their rings touched.
Forever.