that he kept them.
A thick moment passes before someone snaps for a refill behind me. Dallas turns on instinct, like a wolf, ready to protect his own.
I break from Wilder’s gaze and get back to work.
“Thank you for coming with me,” I tell Wilder as he follows me into my apartment.
Dallas also tagged along to the tattoo parlor, before we parted ways and he went back to Wilder’s hotel room.
He frowns, and I can tell he’s nervous about it. Probably more than I am. “Guy seemed to know what he was talking about. Four hours, huh? That’s a long time to sit there while someone pokes you with needles.”
I laugh. “I’ll be all right.”
He reaches for me. “I’ll make sure of it, holding your other hand.”
My shoulders sink because now, the guilt of him staying is weighing on me. “Wilder. The appointment is next week. You can’t—”
“I’m not leaving, Rose,” he says quietly. He sets my things on the kitchen counter then takes my hands in his again. “I will if that’s what you want, but I’m not giving up until you’re back where we both know you belong.”
Warmth blooms in my stomach. I poke him playfully. “Before Wes came that day .?.?. you asked me to stay.”
“Yes.”
“I was going to say yes.”
He swallows because we both know what happened after. “I know.”
“How do I know you won’t changeyourmind?”
He pushes back my hair, not the least bit surprised by my question. “You know what I felt when Bonnie left me?BeforeI knew there was someone else?”
I watch him without answering.
“Angry. Confused. Played.” He grips my hands tighter. “But whenyouleft, I felt it in my bones before anyone said a word. I was hollow. A shell. You took a part of me with you. A part of me that belonged to you since our first date.”
A flutter jumps in my chest. Then I frown. “First date?”
“You don’t remember? It was six whole minutes.”
I laugh as he tugs me playfully.
“The difference is, Rose, Bonnie walked away with my pride. But you have my heart.”
My eyes well with tears.
“So tell me, what on earth do I have to go back to if you’re not there?”
“Everything,” I breathe like he’s crazy.
He watches me. “Something,” he agrees. “Not everything.”
I melt as he pulls me against him. “Now quit it with your what-ifs.” He rests his forehead on mine. “I love you, Rose.”
I suck in a breath, my hands coming up to hold his face. “I love you.”
He presses his lips to my forehead, breathing me in. “Come back with me. Come home.”
I give a small nod and that’s all it takes. He comes alive, crashing his lips against mine in one powerful, all- consuming kiss. Heat flares between us as our tongues collide relentlessly. I moan into his mouth, overcome with emotion and desire.
