“I love you, Colter Slade. I love you so damn much it terrifies me. You make me better. You give me something to live for. You arenotthe reason for my pain. You’re the one who pulls me out of it. Please, baby, don’t go. Don’t believe I don’t want you. You’reeverything.”
He doesn’t speak, but his hand lifts, brushing a tear from my cheek.
It’s not forgiveness.
But it’s a start.
He looks up at me, his hand rising to gently cup my cheek, wiping away my tears with his thumb. He swallows hard, throat working through whatever lump is caught there, and when his eyes meet mine, they’re glassy too. “I love you,” he says, voice low and rough with emotion.
A soft sob breaks free from my chest, my shoulders slumping in relief as I fall into him. Colt wraps his arms around me tight, holding me like he’s anchoring both of us. His heartbeat thrashes beneath my cheek, and I melt into him as his hand strokes through my hair in slow, calming sweeps.
“I love you more than anything, Colt. I really am so, so sorry,” I whisper against his chest.
“I know,” he murmurs, pressing his lips to the top of my head. “And I am too. I should’ve told you about Anna. Should’veletyoudecide who to tell about the surgery. I thought I was protecting you, but all I did was hurt you. That’s on me.” He pulls back, his hands firm on my arms, eyes locked on mine.
“I hate that I made you feel like you aren’t enough,” I say quietly, shame tightening my chest. “I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
Colt doesn’t sugarcoat it. “It wasn’t okay,” he says. “But I get it. You lashed out. Doesn’t mean it didn’t cut deep…” His gaze softens just slightly. “But I know you didn’t mean it. I know you love me. I just… forget sometimes. I get in my head.”
Before I can respond, he scoops me into his arms like I weigh nothing. I gasp as my crutches clatter to the floor, Princess darting out of the way with a yelp.
“Colt!”
“You’re not walking right now,” he says, already carrying me toward the stairs.
“I’m not broken.”
“No,” he agrees, glancing down with a faint smirk. “You’remine.” He kisses me softly before taking the stairs one careful step at a time. Once in our room, he sets me gently on the bed, then slides in beside me, tucking himself close to my side like he’s trying to hold all the broken pieces together.
“Let’s just stay like this,” I murmur, curling into him. “Just the two of us, nothing else.”
He nods.
No words are needed.
The silence stretches.
The heat hums low in the room, but it’s his body that’s warming me—his presence, his strength. And suddenly, the weight of everything fades just enough for me to remember what we are.
“We should get married,” I say suddenly, breaking the stillness.
He lifts his head, a brow raised. “Pretty sure that’s the plan, baby. Ring. Proposal. Vows. All the usual stuff.”
I swat his arm lightly. “I mean, soon. A few weeks. Once I’m out of this cast and can walk down the aisle without looking like a drunk penguin.”
His grin widens, eyes glinting with something that hasn’t been there in days. “Now that Icanget behind. Can’t wait to make youminefor real.” He leans in, kissing me slow, then deeper until the heat that always simmers between us sparks into something dangerous and undeniable.
I thread my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer, kissing him with all the urgency I feel in my soul. My mouth parts, and his tongue claims mine, hot and hungry. A low groan rumbles in his chest, and I feel it echo through me. I press into him, desperate for more.
My hand finds his, and I guide it between my thighs. His breath hitches, and he stills.
“Dee…”
“Please,” I whisper, needy and aching. “You won’t hurt me. I promise.”
For a moment, he debates it, but then I pull him back into a kiss, and whatever hesitation he had disappears. His fingers slide under my panties, finding me soaked. His groan is raw, his lips crashing to mine as he begins to move against me, slow circles that have my hips twitching, my body strung tight with need.
I moan into his mouth. He pauses, checking if it’s pain or pleasure. I smirk against his lips and tug him closer.
