“But you—”
“Let me finish.” His voice is strong. Even. Sure.
But I can’t wait.
I need to know that he’s mine.
I force myself to nod.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I’ve believed that I’m no good for a long time. My mom made sure of it. That was why I tried to stay away from you, Kay. Not just because you were young or because you were Emma’s friend or because it would fuck up everything in my life. Because I didn’t want to hurt you.”
Words claw at my throat. Somehow, I manage to nod instead of speaking.
“But the more time I spent with you, the more I wanted to peel back all your walls. I wanted to find the things that hurt you and destroy them. I wanted your heart.”
“I wanted to give it to you.”
“I know. You trusted me.”
“I still do.”
His lips curl into a half smile. “That was everything I wanted. Still is. But it’s also everything that terrifies me. You’re as bright as the sun, Kay. You have this big, beautiful life ahead of you. And the thought of snuffing out even a hint of your boundless potential—it guts me.”
He moves closer.
Until I can feel all the heat of his body.
His hand goes to the neckline of his t-shirt.
“It still does. But I want to get through that. If you’re willing to have me. If you have the patience for it.”
He pulls his t-shirt down his chest.
There’s fresh ink on his skin.
Right on the spot I chose.
Serva me, servabo te.
Save me and I’ll save you.
“Brendon.” I reach for his skin. “Can I?”
He nods.
I trace the lines of the ink. “When?”
“Before I left. Walker did it.”
“Yeah?”
“Told me he’d kick my ass if I fucked this up.”
A sob rises up in my throat. “He meant it?”
“I think so. Pretty sure Dean and Ryan will join him.”
My heart warms. The guys look out for me. They support me. I do have people who love me. Who want me to be okay. None of them can replace Grandma, but it helps, knowing I have support.
“I mean it, Kay. I know you’ll always feel a little broken. And I’ll always worry I don’t deserve you. But I want to be there, by your side, to help you through every ugly moment. And I want you by mine.”
A tear rolls down my cheek. “I want that too.”
He cups my cheek with his palm. Wipes a tear with my thumb. “Those happy or sad?”
“Both.”
“I love you. I have for a long time. And I will for longer.”
I nod. “I love you too.”
He wraps his arms around me and he kisses me like he can’t get enough of my lips.
Like he can’t get enough of me.
God, he tastes good.
I don’t come up for air until I’m dizzy.
With love and lust and the comfort of knowing he’s by my side.
For everything.
Forever.
Epilogue
Brendon
Kaylee steps out of the humanities building with stars in her eyes. She stretches her arms over her head as she lets out a soft yawn.
Her lips spread into a smile as her eyes catch mine. Her movements get faster. The exhaustion fades from her expression.
I move toward her. Meet her at the halfway point of the sidewalk.
She jumps into my arms and squeezes me tightly. “I thought you had to work.”
“I finished early.” I soak up the feeling of her body against mine. She’s so warm and soft. And she’s mine.
All mine.
Fuck, it’s still hard to believe.
I set her down on the concrete, but I keep my arms around her.
Her green eyes fill with affection as she looks up at me. “I missed you.”
“I missed you.” I bring one hand to the back of her head, undo her ponytail, and run my fingers through her hair. “How was it?”
She smiles. “Easy peasy.”
“Easy?”
“Relatively speaking.”
She’s been locked in her studying cave for the last two weeks. It’s been torture. But it’s worth it for the look on her face.
I cup the back of her head. “Straight As?”
“I think so. But we’ll see.” She slides her arm around my waist and rests her head on my chest. “Tell me we’re going straight to your place.”
“My place? What would we do there?” I play dumb.
“Brendon Kane, this is not the time to be a tease.”
“There go my plans for the afternoon.”
Kay laughs so hard she shakes. “Okay. You can tease. But not until we’re at your place.”
“I’m not following.”
“You are too.” She slides her hand under my t-shirt and presses her palm against my stomach.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“Yeah?” Her voice lifts. “Something, ahem…”
I chuckle. “No. After.”
“After.” She looks up at me. “I like after.”
“Me too.”
Kaylee giggles as she steps into the house. She surveys the living room like she hasn’t seen it in weeks. I guess she hasn’t. I’m not sure she’s done anything but work, sleep, and study for the last two weeks.