“I love you, Kinley. So damn much. When I thought I’d never get the chance to tell you, it gutted me. I’m so sorry I didn’t protect you better. I made a promise to keep you safe. I failed, and I almost lost you as a result. I will never take a single breath from your lungs for granted. You need to know that I’m going to do everything in my power to convince you to move into my home. Someday soon wear my ring.” He feathered his hand over her hair, barely touching her but needing that contact. She was here. Breathing. His. “You are everything good and strong and beautiful. Maybe I’m being selfish and laying too much out there, but Kins, baby, I know. Always thought I wasn’t able to connect with someone because of my past experiences. That I didn’t have it in me to love because I was too broken. Turns out, I was just waiting for you. Waiting for you to teach me that love is the glue to mend those shattered pieces. That the cracks and breaks don’t make me weak or untouchable. Each one represents a trauma, and each one has given me something in return. Empathy. Courage. The knowledge that I want to be someone who lifts others up, not tears them down. And I learned that because I see every beautiful broken piece in you, and it takes my breath.”
Tears shimmered in the beautiful golden depths of her eyes. She squeezed his hand, and even though her grip was still weak, it was another sign that she was healing. “My only regret when I was in that bunker was not having a chance to tell you how I feel.” Every emotion was clear on her face, but the one that shone through the most was love.
They’d both fallen. He didn’t need the words he suspected were coming, but damn, he hoped to hear them.
“That in two short weeks you gave me everything. You protected me and welcomed me into your home. Shared your friendship and family. Your love. Everything, Easton. And don’t you dare shoulder any guilt—you saved my life.” She stopped to catch her breath.
“Rest, Kins. Get your strength back. We have all the time in the world to talk about this. I’m not going anywhere.” God, she was strong.
She shook her head. His woman was stubborn, too.
She took a raspy breath. “I was the one to leave and drive alone to the barracks. I was the one who took off on Gus. Stupid decisions that I regret, but what I’m not sorry for is the new beginning we’ve been given.” She paused again, but this time he didn’t interrupt her. “You freed me from Calder. If I had died, it would’ve been with the knowledge that you’d made my life so rich in such a short time. I love you, Easton, and you’re not going to have to push. The only place I want to be is with you.”
His throat was tight, and there was a burn behind his eyelids. She said he gave her everything, and he’d spend the rest of his days proving she was everything. “You’ll come home with me? Our home?”
“Yes.” A glorious smile tipped the corners of her lips.
“I love you,” he said, leaning forward and peppering her face with gentle kisses. Her hoarse laughter filled the room, and his heart.
“And I love you. Prepare to be showered in it every day for the rest of your life,” she said, lashed fluttering shut.
“Can’t wait, baby,” he murmured.
Kinley’s pain meds were making her drift off again, but this time, her expression was relaxed. Peaceful. Happy. All the feelings expanded in his chest, making his heart soar.
“Me neither, Easton.”