Relief floods my body. “You’ve really thought about this.”
His hands go around my waist. “Yes. You know why? You’re always worth the risk, Jasalie. Always.”
My heart rises into my throat.
“I didn’t know how to protect you so I threw up a shield to stop you from fighting for us. I hated myself as soon as you called me out because I’ve never told such a lie. You’re worth more to me than anything, or anyone, ever. I’m so sorry about hurting you.”
“The thing is, Dylan Wild.” My voice cracks with emotion. “I forgive you. And I love you.”
His hands tighten on my hips.
“I love you like I’ve never loved anyone before. Including myself. But I’m working on that because I can’t be much good to you without it.”
Dylan pulls me onto his lap, and I keep talking into his ear.
“I didn’t know what home felt like before I met you.” I show him the key still in my hand. “Will you help me put this on?”
“Put it on?” His brow furrows. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
I smile as I reach behind my neck and unclasp the chain of the necklace. Dylan watches as I slide the key to his house onto the chain. It nestles softly next to the delicate silver home.
“They fit together,” I say to him as I look up at him shyly.
“Perfectly,” he says as he takes the necklace from me, and I shift around so he can refasten the chain around my neck.
His arms then slide around my middle and he holds me against his chest.
“I think you’re going to have to change your locks,” I say with a laugh. “This probably isn’t the safest thing to do, to walk around displaying Dylan Wild’s house key.”
Dylan chuckles. “I will gladly change the locks as long as you’re with me.” He inhales. “Which leads me to my last piece of news.”
I turn around in his arms. “What is it?”
“They finally caught her. The fan.” His dark eyes go cold momentarily. “She’s locked up.”
I stare at him. “That’s not why you decided to come here and find me, is it? Because if that’s true, then maybe you’re not really ready for…”
“No,” he says firmly. “Trust me when I tell you my mind was fully made up already. I was in the gallery when my phone buzzed. You heard it when we were standing by the sculpture you made of me?”
I nod as I remember hearing the vibrating in his pocket.
“I waited until I was outside to check it. It was the authorities. So my twenty-four seven security has been toned down a level, thank Christ. Although, wait until you see the house in Malibu. It’s like Fort Knox.”
I laugh. “I think I’ll be okay.” I lean in close to him. “Are you going to kiss me now?”
His mouth is on mine so fast I gasp.
“I love you, Jasalie Gordon.” His tongue finds mine. “Christ, I love you so much.”
He flips us so my back is flat on the seat. I slip my hands inside his jacket and pull his hard body flush against me until one of his solid thighs is between my legs.
Dylan wrenches his mouth away from me long enough to whisper against my cheek. “Do you know how much I’ve wanted you this week? I’d get hard just thinking your name.”
I let out a moan as his fingers dip below the neckline of my dress. His thumb grazes my nipples, and then he pulls down the shoulder straps so I’m half-naked before him, my bare breasts spilling out of my bra cups. He unhooks my bra and tosses it onto the floor as his mouth latches onto my hard nipple. The alley has no lights, and it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.
I bite back on my cries, trying to stay quiet because despite the privacy, we’re still in public and—
“Dylan.” I force out. “This isn’t good—I mean if you get caught, the press…”
