Pulling back, emotion rose like a swell in my chest at his generosity and thoughtfulness. The way he always saw what I needed before I did. “Thank you,” I breathed
He gave a small, almost bashful smile, exhaling slow and steady. “My pleasure, sweetheart. I wasn’t sure how you’d take it…thought maybe you’d be mad. I just wanted to give you one less thing to worry about.”
His honesty hit me right in the chest. A beautiful gesture and he’d been afraid it would upset me. Maybe once it would have. But now…
“You know,” I said, brushing my fingertips along the line of his jaw, “I used to think being strong meant doing it all alone. Holding everything together. Taking care of everyone else and proving I was fine.”
He met my gaze, waiting.
“But now,” I continued, voice low, “I’ve realized you don’t have to keep holding on to the pieces that don’t fit anymore, not just to keep other people happy. You can let them go. Make space for something new. And you don’t have to do it alone either.Sometimes the bravest thing is letting someone help you see what those new pieces could be.”
I leaned in, kissed his cheek.
“You give me that bravery, cowboy. That belief that someone will still love me even when things get hard, when I need them the most.”
He didn’t say anything, just lifted the laptop from my hands and put it carefully on the floor. Climbing back into bed he wrapped me in the arms that said everything and tapped his bare chest. “Come on back here where you belong.”
Damn he was cute and hot, a lethal combination. Happily, I snuggled up against him, putting my head back, listening to the comforting steady beat of his heart.
“I’m so sorry about Ariel and the stables, baby,” I whispered. “I wish I could get her back for you, get it all back.”
There was an extra thud of his heart as he swallowed. “We’re going to rebuild it all, sweetheart,” he finally said, pressing a kiss to my lips. “Together.”
His arms tightened around me, and for the first time since the fire, I felt him truly relax. Whatever came next, we would face it side by side.
The morning light filtering through Gunner’s bedroom curtains felt different somehow. Softer. More golden. Or maybe it was just that everything felt different after last night.
I lay on my side, watching Gunner sleep, his dark lashes casting shadows on his cheekbones. His arm was still wrapped around my waist, even in sleep unwilling to let me go. The memory of his whispered “I love you” echoed in my mind, sending warmth cascading through my chest all over again.
But with the warmth came something else. A flutter of panic that made my stomach twist.
Had I told him too soon? Did he mean it, or was it just the heat of the moment, the emotion after the fire?
I must have tensed because Gunner’s eyes slowly opened, immediately finding mine.
“Morning, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep. “You okay? You look like you’re thinking too hard.”
Heat crept up my neck. “Just...processing.”
He shifted onto his side to face me fully, his thumb tracing lazy circles on my hip. “Processing what?”
“Last night. What we said.” I bit my lip. “I don’t want you to feel like I rushed you into anything or?—”
“Hey.” His hand cupped my cheek, stopping my rambling. “Look at me.” When I met his eyes, they were steady, certain. “I meant every word, Cassidy. Did you?”
The simple question cut through all my spiraling thoughts. “Yes,” I whispered. “I meant it.”
“Then what’s got you all twisted up?”
I took a shaky breath. “I’ve never said that to anyone before. Not like that. Not and meant it the way I mean it with you.”
Something soft and wondering crossed his features. “Never?”
“Never.” I felt exposed, vulnerable. “And it scares me a little. How much I already need you.”
Gunner was quiet for a moment, his fingers threading through my hair. “You know what scares me?” he said finally. “How right this feels. Like I’ve been waiting my whole life for you to say those words.” He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “I love you, Cassidy Turner. Not because I think it’s what you want to hear, not because of great sex, but because you’re you. Because you challenge me and see me and make me want to be better.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “I love you too. So much it makes my chest ache.”
