Unable to contain that giddy feeling, I leaned forward and laid my head against Huntley’s chest, my hands sliding to hissides. Knowing he wouldn’t move without my permission, I saved him from asking and just told him what to do.
“Hug me back. I trust you.”
When he wrapped his arms around me, we both sighed in contentment.
“Does this mean you’ll go on a date with me?” he asked. “I know I already told you about my mother, but I still want to take you out.”
He might not have been able to see that I was smiling against his chest, but I was sure he could hear it in my voice when I answered, “Yeah, I’ll go on a date with you. It will be another first.”
“I’m a lucky man,” he told me before I felt him lightly kiss the top of my head.
I was positive I was the lucky one.
He’d said I needed sleep a while ago and I could feel the exhaustion creeping in even more, but I didn’t want to leave the safe cocoon of his embrace.
And I wasn’t quite sure how it happened.
But I knew in my heart, Huntley had become my person.
Chapter Twenty
HUNTLEY
River wasa warrior through and through.
It had been a night filled with so many moments and her strength—something I didn’t think she realized she had in spades—shined like a beacon on a dark night.
From the panic attack I was sure was caused by a flashback, to the scene in the car as the song played and Bre sang, and then to rushing to her daughter's aid when she was scared out of her mind.
But it didn’t end there.
She’d been courageous enough to let me stay in her home to make sure the whole family was safe, something I knew took great courage. Then she’d made her way to me,alone,to be near me, to talk to me and more than that, tohearme.
When I told her about my mother and me, the warrior came roaring to life. Only thing was, it was fighting for me, not herself. She had cussed, raised her voice, and she made me believe what she was saying.
I knew without a doubt that had my piece of shit father been in front of her right then, she’d have gone toe to toe with him.
On my behalf.
And even after all that, she asked for something monumental.
For herandfor me.
River asked me to kiss her. A first for her and so unexpected I’d almost denied her, worried that I’d scare her or she would regret it later.
But I saw the plea and need in her eyes. And I couldn’t deny her anything.
Our lips met in a quick, gentle kiss, but one that was no less earth-shattering.
While some may consider it a fraction of what it could have been, I knew what it truly was.
The best kiss of my life.
Because it had been with River.
And after all of that, I got to hold her against me for a long while. Although, as soon as she slipped away, back to her room, I knew it hadn’t been long enough at all.
River, my warrior, belonged in my armsforever.
