He raised my hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it.
When I’d finally settled down, and my tears ebbed, Daire sat up and cradled me on his lap like a baby.I would have been embarrassed if I hadn’t been so bloody exhausted.As it was, I simply curled into his chest.
When I was able to pull myself together, we walked down to the beach together.
At the bottom of the bluffs, he took my hand in his.
It was the most perfect thing in the world for me to leave it there.
Every year, after climbing the bluffs, I walked the beach for hours, not returning home until my legs were too tired to carry me any further.
This year, I felt oddly rested.It was him.I knew that but acknowledging it out loud gave him far too much leverage over me.
And he’d already inserted himself further into my life than anyone else ever had.
“Did you follow me?”
“No,” he paused.“I called Hawk.When he wouldn’t tell me where you were, I called Max.”
“Why wouldn’t Hawk tell you?”
“Maybe he thinks I’m not good enough for you.”
I snorted.“Yeah, right.”
He grinned and tucked me to his side.“So long as you think I’m good enough, that’s all that matters.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re pushy?”
“All the time,” he answered easily.
“Hm.Max knew where I was?”
“He guessed you’d be on the beach or up on the bluffs.He did warn me you preferred to be alone today.”
“I usually do,” I agreed.
“And now?”
I answered simply.“Thank you.”
He ran his hand down my side to my hip and gave it a gentle squeeze.“I’d say anytime but I’d just as soon you didn’t make that a habit.I don’t like to see you upset.”
I smiled wryly.“I guess you’ve gathered I’ve got a bit of baggage.”
He chuckled.“Who doesn’t?”
“I’m serious,” I protested, chuckling softly.“I’m a lot to handle, you know.”I cleared my throat.“I wouldn’t have put it on you, but you showed up long past the point of no return…”
“I can handle your pain, Harley.And I can handle you.”
“Thank you for not trying to make me feel better.”
There was too much for me to unpack at that moment, but I was beginning to believe that he could.
He smiled sadly.“I promise, I’ll never try to make you feel better.”
I squeezed his hand.“Deal.”
