“I was young and impressionable, but things have changed now. We’ll have to make sacrifices for sure, but it’ll be worth it because we’ll be together. We’ll ride the highs and lows together. You and me, just like before, just like we’re meant to do. We need each other like we need air to breathe, to sustain life, Cara. Stop denying us this second chance. We both deserve to be happy.”
“You make it sound so easy.” I sniffed as I tried to wipe my tears away.
River quickly brushed the remaining tears with his thumbs, beaming down at me like I was the most precious thing he had ever had the chance to hold.
“It won’t be, that’s guaranteed. But we have each other. We’ve gone through all the fucked-up phases in life, and I don’t want to take another step forward without you by my side, babe. I love you. I’ve been in love with you almost all my life. Don’t be cruel and deprive us another shot at a happy future.”
I was beyond hysterical as I began to bawl, ugly big tears and all.
“Where do we go from here?” I sobbed through my nervous laughter, praying that this would heal us both. If we were miserable apart, being together surely was the answer. It had to be.
His lips touched mine like a slow fire, burning deeper, brighter as it went on. “We’ll do it right this time. We’ll talk, laugh, love, hate, and love harder,” he whispered against my lips, promising the future with his entire heart and soul. “But first, I have to see Hailey and tell her the truth.”
Hailey, right. Best to get that bitch out of the way. I couldn’t agree more.
“Yeah, fix that pronto.”
Our lips clashed. It burned as he thoroughly kissed me out of my senses.
“Stay put. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he groaned out before kissing me once more. “Can you promise me you’ll be here when I get back?”
“I’ll be here, I promise.” I would have promised him the stars and moon had he asked for it then.
My heart blossomed, all the agony it endured disappearing.
“I love you.” He lovingly gazed at me, unable to tear himself away.
Beaming at the man who stole my heart, I whispered back, “I love you.”
He gently pulled back, readying to leave as he intently watched me. “I always knew you still loved me, you know … But when you used to speak such vile things to me, I began to doubt myself.”
Those memories hadn’t left my conscience, and for that I was sorry for being such a glorified bitch.
“It took a while for me to understand what I was feeling. It was a terrible process. I hope you can forgive me for that.”
“I know, and we’re stronger for it.” He crawled back into bed to kiss me senselessly. “Love like ours never dies.”
“More like crazy,” I muttered against his lips, hating that he had to leave, yet knowing Hailey shouldn’t wait. Our future was at stake, and we wouldn’t be able to move forward if her stench plagued us.
“I love you like crazy, Cara Quinn.”
“Hurry back, okay? I just want to get this over with. It’s causing me anxiety.”
Fuck, this man was going to be the death of me. How did I ever manage to think that I could fall out of love with him? The man had captured my heart at eleven, seized my soul at thirteen, and conquered my body at sixteen.
“Okay, I gotta go. Love you again.”
“Back at ya, babe.”