Boden pulled back a fraction, his gaze sweeping over my face. “He attacks you, and you’re here wishing you could fix it?”
“He’sthe one who hurt me. Not you. When I care about people, I can’t simply turn that off because it’s inconvenient. I wouldn’t want to, so don’t try to push me away. Because thatwillhurt.” It already had. That and the fact that he’d hidden the truth from me.
Boden pulled me back, flush against him. “I’m sorry. It’s instinct.”
“I get that, but I need you to fight against it.”
“I will.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “Are you trying to fix me?”
He released his tight hold on me but kept a grip on my arms. “What do you mean?”
“Eli said you have a thing for trying to fix people.”
That muscle was back to fluttering in Boden’s jaw. “Yeah, there’s some of that in me. But I didn’t pursue you because I thought you needed fixing.” He let go of my arms and ran a hand through his hair. “That photo called to me. It was like you saw me before we ever even met. It punched into my chest and grabbed hold of my damn heart. It wouldn’t let go.” His eyes came back to me. “You wouldn’t let go.”
I wanted to believe every one of those beautiful words, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it was simply a pretty speech. “I’m not fixable, Boden. But I’m okay with that. I’ve learned to love myself just the way I am. The fractures are a gift in so many ways. They’ve allowed me to see things that I was blind to before. Made me realize how strong I am. I don’t want to be with someone who thinks I should be anything but what I am.”
Boden moved in a flash, taking my face in his hands and pulling me close. “I don’t want you to be anything but exactly who you are. A woman who is fierce, determined, strong. Kind, empathetic, and giving. Everything you’ve been through has made you into that person. I’m not trying to erase any of it or fix anything about you. Because nothing needs to be fixed.”
Tears burned the backs of my eyes, and my throat felt tight.
Boden bent, brushing his lips across mine. “I’d never want to change a thing about the woman who stole my heart. I love you, Laiken. I probably fell the moment I saw your photo. The rest of my body has just been playing catch-up.”
“Boden,” I croaked.
“It’s okay if you’re not ready to go there—”
I shook my head. “I love you. I didn’t want to. I fought so hard against it. But you stormed into my heart anyway. And I’m so damn glad you did.”
The corner of Boden’s mouth kicked up. “Told you I was stubborn.”
I let out a laugh tinged with a hint of tears. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Laiken. So damn much.” He took my mouth in a slow kiss, one that had everything we’d just let free in it.
I forced myself to pull back, gripping his arms. “Wait.”
“What?” The heat in his eyes spoke of impatience and promises of what was to come.
“It’s been a long day. I need a shower.”
Boden grinned. “Then let’s get clean together.”
He bent and lifted me into his arms, striding towards his bathroom.
I let out a surprised shriek. “Boden, your arm.”
“My arm feels damn fine right now. Don’t rain on my parade.”
So, I didn’t. And Boden showed me just how fine he felt—and I soaked up every moment.
A distant ringingpulled me out of a deep sleep. I blinked into the darkness a few times before realizing that the sound was coming from my cell phone on the nightstand.
Boden grumbled something unintelligible and pulled me closer to him.
I smiled into the dark and reached for my phone. A number I didn’t recognize flashed on the screen. It was local, so I swept my finger along the answer button. “Hello?”