“But neither of you threatened the woman once you incapacitated the man?” Lennon asked.
Both men shook their heads wildly.
Lennon stepped back. “That’s all.”
“Thanks for getting that confession,” Detective Ahmed said. “That’ll make the rest of the process easier—and faster.”
Lennon and I walked out of the police precinct, and the moment we stepped into the sunlight, I tipped my head back and soaked in the sun.
“That feels so good,” I murmured. “Like we can fully turn the page.”
Lennon stood next to me, his expression stoic.
“Lennon?”
“This may be ridiculous, but I feel like this massive weight has lifted off of me. I can breathe fully, Vivi. I’m not scared of what’s going to happen to you anymore.” He wrapped an arm around me, and I shifted close. His heart pattered against the hand I laid on his chest. With each breath, it slowed. “I know bad things can happen. I know we’re not promised tomorrow, but thinking there were men watching me, waiting to take you—hurt you—it was making me crazy.”
“I wish I hadn’t let my fears hold me back from simply asking you.” I kissed his neck. “We could have resolved our split before it happened, that day in the hospital.”
“And I wish I’d been brave enough to be honest. But now we have today and all the days you’ll put up with me.”
I chuckled. “Like that’ll ever be a challenge.” I rose up on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my nose in the crook of his shoulder. “That’s over. It’s been over. I need you to hold me now, Lennon.”
His arms were around me before I finished the request.
“You know what my mom said is the hardest part of a relationship?” I asked.
“No.”
“Communication. She said it’s hard to be honest with another person, especially when you don’t want to be honest with yourself.” I pulled back to meet his eyes. My calves burned, but I kept myself on my toes, needing to be as close to him as possible. “We talk, especially about the hard stuff. The attraction and liking clicked immediately, and yes, I would have rather have not gone through those months of sadness and blaming myself, but it brought us to a much, much better place in our relationship. We’re honest with each other and ourselves. We admit when we need help. We’ve become a partnership. And that’s because of what we went through—in spite of the odds against us.”
“Ah, Vivi. You’re so smart. I love you. I don’t tell you enough. I love you with all my heart.”
I smiled. “I’m not going to say no to hearing that more often.”
He chuckled but sobered quickly. “I didn’t like the way I felt in there. How those men made me feel. I’ve never been as scared as I was when I was sure they’d hurt you because of me.”
I hugged him tighter. “Ah, Lennon. We all wobble from time to time. I’m shocked that I could be the reason you, Lennon Cruz, star starter for the Wildcatters, fell to your knees. Part of me gets off on that power, but…”
My legs began to shake, and Lennon shifted so his forearm was just below my butt. He lifted me off my feet. Swoon. This man was strong. So capable. Yet, with me he remained gentle, careful…
“But?” he asked.
“But I love you the way you are, and that’s in control. You control your emotions, your reactions, your strength. I find that so sexy.” I nipped at his earlobe. “Well, not all the time.”Sometimes I do get a high from making you lose control.”
He shuddered as he lowered his forehead to mine. “Ah, Vivi, you have no idea the power you hold over me. And you’re the only one who breaks my control—or gets to control me.” He kissed me, and I felt the thrill to my soul. I reveled in it.
Chapter 31
Chapter
Lennon
* * *
Vivi and I walked back to the rental car hand in hand, both of us buoyant with the knowledge that our attackers had been caught. I drove her back to the bed and breakfast where she’d stayed the last time we were here, and I made slow, sweet love to my sweet lover.
We had just one night in town because I had to get back for our last two regular-season games, but we decided not to push our luck and go out. Instead we ordered a decadent meal from our lovely hostess, Louise.
