I moved in, pressed my forehead to hers, and promised, “I’ll be right here.Beside you.”
Her body trembled against mine.
“I know you’re afraid,” I whispered.“And you have every right to be.But I will go to any lengths to ensure your happiness.I’ll protect you, love you, find a way to give you the life you want whatever that takes, but the one thing I’ll never do is let you go.”
19
Too Much
Jenny
There was no escape from the pain.
Neither the wreckage of the past nor the heartbreak looming in the future spared me.
No.
It was set to take us both down.
And he didn’t see it coming.
He dropped my legs and set me down on the floor, holding my waist until I found my balance with my hands braced on his biceps.
Wrapped in moonlight reflected off the snow outside his window, I tipped my chin back to take in the broad shoulders, the harsh planes of his face, the dark shadow of his scruff, and the determined gaze of this airman who loved me.
He loved me.
The knowledge broke over me, sliding over my scalp, trailing across my shoulders, and brushing down my arms.
“You love me,” I stated softly, the wonder of it filling me as I searched his face for confirmation.
His grip tightened on my waist, his dark gaze intense as he yanked me against his body, hissing, “Yes.”
“You really love me,” I whispered, my hands moving up to clasp the back of his neck.
Truth shone in his eyes, and hope, but I could hardly believe what I saw.
Believing he loved me was tantamount to believing in mermaids.It was a possibility, but I wouldn’t bet my life on it.
And that’s what I was doing with Deacon: betting my life on him loving me.
I swallowed.
He was worth the risk, of course he was, but would I survive the fall?
His hands came up to cradle my head.“With everything in me.”
I met his eyes and nodded.
His eyes hooded and his fingers tunneled into my hair.“You’ll let me have you?”
I nodded.“I’ve always been yours,” I rasped, my throat tight.It was too late to hold back that truth.If he ever left, it would become obvious soon enough.
Bending his neck, eyes locked on mine, he kissed me.Softly, sweetly, like that first kiss you weren’t sure you’d ever get to taste.
My eyelids fluttered shut at the first exquisite touch.His mouth, God, his sweet mouth.
His beautiful heart.
