That it can never take away from me.
“I’m sorry if it made you think I was withdrawing the way I used to,” I say, brushing away the dreadful knot growing in my chest. “Or that I was treating you like I do anyone else. But I love you, Holt. I’ve never loved anyone but you. You’re the only one who has ever seen me forme.”
He finally exhales, his body sinking into the mattress. I slide my hand from behind his head to grip his arm. I feel his corded muscle, down the length of his arm, before feathering it back up to his neck.
“You made me a promise, now it’s my turn to do the same.” I pull him close, bringing his mouth just in front of mine. “I never believed in forever. Until you. So… I promise you have my forever, Holt Capuleti. No matter what.”
When I press my lips to his, I pour all my traumas, fears, hopes, and promises into this one kiss.
My kiss must heal the part of him that had him worried, because his grip on me tightens. The tips of his fingers sink into my back as he presses his lips harder against mine.
“I must admit though, Selene.” He kisses me once before reluctantly pulling away. His eyes lock onto mine. “I don’t know where we go from here.”
“Did you mean what you told Rhys? Your promise to not tell the police the truth? I’d understand if you didn’t.”
“Shit, Selene.” He sighs heavily, like he can’t believe I’d even question his commitment to his promise. “I meant what I said. I fully intend on holding my promise to Rhys. I never thought there would come a day I would accept letting go of pursuing my mother’s killer. But now that I know the truth, and now that I understand what it would mean if it got out, I don’t think I’ve ever been more certain of anything. Because after all this, only one truth remains.”
“What truth is that?”
“If it means a long, long future with you, I’m willing to let go of the past.”
I give him a small smile, his declaration rocking me to the core. It’s the kind I feel settling into my bones. In my DNA. That’s what Holt is now. He’s a part of my DNA. He is my future, and just like him, I’m willing to release the pain of the past in order to have a future with him.
Holt and our family.
We have done nothing but live in the ugliness of our pasts. It’s easy to get swept up in the hurricane of it all, shadowed by the darkness of witnessing death, allowing it to blind us from the colors life and love have to offer.
And when I look into Holt’s blue eyes, all I see is a life filled with a myriad of colors.
“I do have one question.” I rub my feet against Holt’s under the blanket. “It has to do with something Rhys said.”
Holt’s face pales. “What is it?”
“Rhys mentioned something about my security detail.” I raise a brow. “Did you hire someone to follow and keep an eye on me?”
Color returns to his cheeks in the shade of red. His mouth pops open, but no words come out.
I jerk back, dropping my jaw, pretending to be appalled. I stab my finger to his chest. “You did!”
He tries to roll onto his back, quickly covering his eyes with his hand. It’s amazing how his usual tough exterior fades away when it comes to me. There’s a softness to Holt—one he only has for me.
That thought makes my heart explode.
He groans before rolling back to face me. “I can explain.”
“You don’t need to explain.” I giggle, feeling light for the first time all night. “I get it.”
“You do?”
“Yes, of course, I do.” I grin, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. “You weren’t lying when you said you were obsessed with me.”
His delightful growl vibrates across my body as he slips his hands around me. He leans in and draws my mouth to his.
I kiss him when I get this sudden thought.
Holt was in love with me long before I even realized.
I drape my arms around his neck, and he digs his fingers into my waist.
