Page 125 of Promised Love
“You didn’t!” He gasps and takes a step back.
But I grab his arm, not letting him go until he hears everything. “There was no other way to show you that you love me. Just the mere idea that you can hurt me in some way is insane.” My fingers dig into the leather of his jacket as he stands like a stiff pole. “I know it’s not right.” My throat burns as he doesn’t say anything. “I know I caused you pain, but you needed to see that you’re a true daredevil, Lukas, who doesn’t hesitate in risking his life for others.”
Lukas’ eyes are red, and my heart rattles in fear. Have I pulled us farther apart in my effort to bring us closer?
“The thought that you were in there with the flames burned my soul. The thought that I’d be late in rescuing you ate me alive during the entire ride from St. Peppers. I should be angry at you for putting me through this—”
“You have every right to be upset and angry, Lukas,” I blurt around tears.
My parents walk closer toward us and my mom explains, “Once Gavin installed the insulation and showed us that the fire wouldn’t go farther, Autumn insisted she would be inside the barn while it was in flames.”
“No!” Lukas gasps and grabs my shoulders. “Why would you do that?”
“So you don’t feel like you’re feeling right now. Betrayed and angry.” Fresh tears fill my eyes when he doesn’t deny it.
“I told her I wouldn’t blow it up until she goes back to her room,” Gavin adds, jerking his head toward the main door.
“I feel nothing but relieved, Autumn. You’re safe. You’re not hurt.” Lukas looks at me, but my pulse hasn’t returned to normal. “Am I upset with this?” He looks at the barn and then at me. When he doesn’t speak for several moments, I know I’ve lost him, maybe for good. But then the back of his hand skims my cheek. “Yes, I am. But…maybe this was what I needed to realize I can lose you someday this easily. This”—he jerks toward the barn—“made me realize that I was taking you and our love for granted.”
He said our love!
I know I’m smiling, because he’s smiling back. “You’ve always been in my life, Autumn. I can’t imagine living without you. I love you, Autumn Spencer. My wife. My confidant. My promised.”
I might have thought this was a dream if not for the loud cheering from the inn’s staff and Gavin’s friends. I laugh and giggle as tears race down my face.
“I love you, Lukas Spencer. My husband. My friend. My promised.”
Lukas’ lips come down on me, but he pulls away too soon. His lips twitch, and I know he heard the tiny whimper of protest I made.
“Let’s give these kids some privacy, Jasper.” Mom smiles and my face heats up. “I’ll ask Suzie to arrange something sweet for everyone. This calls for celebration.” She presses a kiss on my forehead and squeezes Lukas’ arm before she and Dad lead our staff inside.
“How the fuck did you manage to get the firefighters in on this charade?” Lukas asks Gavin after pulling me closer to his chest.
“They aren’t real.” Gavin smirks, but when someone from the crew grunts, he corrects himself. “What I mean is, they’re retired, and so is the truck. That’s my friend Bo, and he owns this bad boy now.” Gavin grins and nods toward the fire engine as Bo waves at us.
“So the plan worked? You now believe in true love?” Gavin’s eyes dance with mischief as he eggs Lukas on.
I can’t believe this big, bulky man has a teasing bone in his body.
“Don’t you think Gavin seems overly happy since he moved to Cherrywood?” Lukas looks down at me. A beautiful smile adorns his lips, making me crazy happy.
“He does.” I tap a finger on my lips, as if thinking. My chest is swelling with happiness. “If I had to guess, I’d say it’s the effect of one mouse.”
“Mouse?” Lukas chuckles.
And God, I’ve never seen such a big man blush as Gavin shakes his head. A lock of hair escapes his small ponytail, falling on his forehead. Smiling, he turns around and joins our mock firefighter crew.
I wave them a thank-you as they leave, and then the truck exits the inn’s compound.
“Are you still upset?” I ask Lukas once we’re finally alone.
He shakes his head, and his finger skims my face, starting from my forehead to my cheek. “I’m glad you did that. I needed to see what I was doing wrong…with us. Thank you so much for believing in me when I couldn’t.”
“I’ve always believed in you, Lukas.”
He kisses me deeply, capturing the rest of my words in his mouth. He wraps his hand around the back of my neck and pulls me closer to him, as if he’s scared I won’t be here the next minute.
I feel so many emotions in his kiss.
