“Nate—”
“Shhh.”
A shiver raced down her spine when he started to nuzzle her neck. A gasp sprang from her mouth when he bit down on her shoulder with just enough force to make her hot and not hurt her.
It was a spot he knew would scramble her brains and make her hot.
“There are things that I fucked up, baby. But at no time did I ever think I didn’t want you in my life forever. You’re the other half of me. Don’t you feel that way?”
She closed her eyes and had to fight to stay rigid and not lean back against him. “Yes. But that doesn’t mean we have to stay together.”
He sucked on her neck. “It absolutely does. Listen, I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back. Just give me another chance.”
“I’m scared.”
“Of what, baby?”
“Of hurting worse than I already do. If I gave in and something happened to us, I’d never recover.”
“Baby, I’m telling you now, that will never happen. When I couldn’t find you, it felt like someone had ripped my heart out of my chest. I haven’t slept or eaten since you left. I never want to feel this degree of pain or fear again in my life, and the thought that I’m making you feel even a fraction of this makes me sick.”
Tessa didn’t know what to do. She loved him so much, and he’d become her world. When she thought that was gone, she knew she’d never feel the same.
It helped to know the separation had affected him as much as her, and he must have driven straight here after they talked.
The thought that there was the slightest chance they could have a future together and a family made something inside of her loosen. Could she really give up on him?
One of his hands pressed on her lower stomach, held her steady, and forced his body and obvious rock-hard cock against her back.
“Tell me yes,” he whispered against her ear. “I know we have more to deal with, but I want us on the same page right now. That we belong together.”
Her eyes closed, and she rested the back of her head against his chest. “Yes, we can try again.”
He exhaled, and she could feel his body sag with what she guessed was relief.
She was feeling the same way. Her just commenting onwanting to trymade a lot of the pain recede, and a glimmer of hope started to build again.
Nate twirled her around and lifted her up onto the counter, spreading her legs to make room for him. He cupped her face in his hands.
He studied her for a moment. “I love you so fucking much. Don’t ever run from me again. I about lost my mind when we couldn’t find you. I had everyone we know looking for you. I even put out a missing person report, so every cop is looking, too.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Really?” She couldn’t believe how hard he had tried to find her, which made her feel better.
Chapter Twenty-One
Nate studied her and was not one hundred percent sure he wasn’t dreaming.
She trailed her fingers down his chest. “I love you, too. That’s why I wanted what was best for you. What would make you happy.”
“Jesus Christ. You are what I want and need, and you’re the only one who could make me happy. Now, tell me again, but say it the right way.”
He saw the confusion on her face before she realized what he was talking about.
“I love you so much, Daddy.”
He swooped down and took her lips, trying to convey the depth of emotions raging through him.
They were both panting when he raised his head. “Jesus, woman. I need to be inside of you so fucking badly.”