“Okay.” I can’t help but smile.
If I wasn’t sure I loved Connor before now, then that would have done it. He’s right. I don’t want something to happen to another girl who doesn’t have a Connor in their life. Carter pushed with me because he knew he could. He thought no one would come to my defense, and I’m glad Connor is going to find a way to teach Carter otherwise.
“Where are we going?” I ask. I hold my breath, hoping it’s back to the mountain.
“Home,” Connor responds, and I melt into him, burying my face in his neck.
I breathe in his scent and decide that I’m never letting him go again. Someone would have to pry me from his hard body, and I have a feeling Connor isn’t about to let that happen.
Chapter Sixteen
CONNOR
The plane ride back home is hell, but thankfully once we board, Evie is able to change out of that damn dress and into the sweats and boots I bought her. I don’t know what I would have done if I had to see all that skin on display the whole time.
“I can’t believe you chartered a plane to come and get me,” she says, leaning into my side.
I kiss the top of her head and think that there’s not much I wouldn’t have done to get her back. In fact, I can’t think of a single thing that could have kept me from her.
“Anything for you, little duck.”
“I’m just gonna drop y’all at the big house then head home,” Wilder calls out as he looks into the rearview mirror of the SUV.
I nod as he turns down the circular driveway in front of my place. As soon as we got off the plane, we headed for home, and now it’s nearly dawn.
“Are you tired?” Evie’s eyes meet mine and she shakes her head. “Yeah, me either.”
Her smile matches mine as the SUV comes to a stop, and we jump out. I grab our stuff and tell Wilder goodbye then hurry to carry Evie through the snow. It’s nearly as high as my knees as I tromp up the porch and unlock the door. Thankfully, Natalie came by earlier and started a fire for us so it’s toasty warm inside.
“We’re home,” I say, carrying Evie into the living room and in front of the fireplace.
“Home,” she repeats, and I love the way it sounds on her lips. She threads her fingers through my hair, and I see the look in her eyes.
“Before I carry you into that bedroom and make love to you for the first time, I want you to know something.” She sobers, and her smile falters just a little, and I hate it. “I love you, Evie.” I blurt out the words because I can’t stand to see the fear in her eyes even for half a second. I want her to know where we stand. So much of her life, she’s been unsure of what is next, and I want to give her that stability. “From the moment I saw you, and then held you in my arms, I knew you were the one. I wasn’t planning on anyone coming into my life, but I must have known something deep down because all that I have and all that I’ve done has been for this.”
“Connor, I—”
“No, don’t say it back just because I’m saying it,” I cut her off and keep going. “It’s okay if it takes you time, but I wanted you to know how I felt, and if you want to slow down, we can. We can take all the time in the world because we have our whole lives together.”
“Our whole lives?” Her brows rise, and her mouth forms a perfect O.
“I plan on marrying you the first second I can, and then we’re going to spend forever making you fall in love with me.”
“But Connor—”
“But nothing. I know it’s fast, but I’ve never been more certain in my life. Give me a chance to show you how I feel and what I want, little duck. Let me spoil you and give you the family that you deserve. Let me be the perfect man for you and right all the wrongs that have been done to you in your life.”
“Connor.” She puts her hand over my mouth, silencing me. “I love you.” Her voice is a little frustrated, and I smile behind her hand at how damn good that sounds coming from her. She smiles too and slowly lowers her hand. “I love you.” She shrugs like it’s obvious, and I pull her against me.
“You’re mine now forever,” I tell her before I lean in and kiss her full lips.
“Take me to bed,” she whispers against my mouth.
“I thought you weren’t tired,” I tease as I carry her to our bedroom.