My jaw drops, as that’s such a big milestone for any parent. “That’s… a lot.”
“It’s sad but the right move. No potential return that could hurt Lori and Harry,” he explains.
A long breath draws out from my body. “I’m relieved for you.” I press my lips tightly together, as I owe it to myself to confront any doubt I may have. “But you can’t be sitting before me just because the issue with your ex-wife is solved. If that was the reason you pushed me away, then… it was a weak reason. I refuse to be reunited with someone just because they let something like that get in the way.”
His finger instantly lands on my mouth to hush me. “I shouldn’t have let it all affect me, even though it was scary to have any potential harm to my kids. However, the reason that I pushed you away is because I felt maybe the situation was a warning that it was all too good to be true. Because, Lexi,youare too good to be true. But lucky for me, you entered my life. Life feels complete when you’re with me, with my kids, in our house. Finally, I have it all, and it’s scary as hell because does anybody get that lucky? For a few days, I thought it wasn’t what I was allowed.”
Tears build in my eyes. Everything he says helps me understand his mind frame lately, and it’s full of promise. “I’ve been miserable without you. I’m missing you and everything in your life, it’s as though I’m not complete. It makes no sense because our speed is fast but so right.”
Holden brings his hands to cradle my face. “It is right, and I just need you back, desperately. Because I fucking love you so much.”
A smile stretches on my lips. “Me too.”
“We’re a team, like you said. You didn’t give up on me and stayed feisty the way I like. I want us to move forward, and I promise never to doubt our life again.”
I nod up and down. Maybe I’ll be hesitant to trust the coming days or weeks, but it’s only because I need to shake off the fear of losing him and the pain of the last few days. “Forward it is.”
He crashes his lips down onto mine but kisses me slowly, gentle yet sensual and completely loving. I accept all of it because with him is where I belong, and I promised to be waiting because I believed he would find his way back to me.
Our lips part, and we both have giddy looks on our faces, ready for our next step.
“Move back in?”
My mouth slides side to side. “Yeah.” I smirk to myself. “I mean, I did accidentally leave behind a bra in a drawer, and that was going to be awkward trying to get it back anyhow.”
He feigns doubt. “Did you now?” His voice rises an octave. “That is the oldest trick in the book.”
“Completely.”
That repartee I love returns to us, and I’m relieved and curious if I will fall in love with him all over again, because the first time was already amazing.
“Lori and Harry let me bake a peanut butter and jelly cheesecake last night that wasn’t for them. Harry thought it would convince you to come back.”
My face completely brightens. “I love that. What do they know?”
Holden’s shoulder lifts. “That we were taking some time apart, and they both instantly told me they didn’t agree with my choice. Lori even told me that I suck at emotions.”
A giggle escapes me. “Was that before she flipped her hair and stormed upstairs?”
“Obviously.”
“Harry and I have some catching up to do, too. He needs to update me on my stock choices.” My smile is pure contentment.
“He did mention something about that.”
I stand between the seat and Holden, bringing my arms up to drape off his shoulders. “Don’t ever run away again.”
He pulls me close, a jolt that sends fire through me. “Can’t. You’ve locked me down.”
Kissing him, goosebumps bubble on my skin and an uncontrollable need to take more of him, away from here.
“Want to get out of here? I might have checked that our favorite room is free,” he murmurs against my lips with pure trouble in his tone.
“Someone is presumptuous.” I grin.
Holden stands too, and our bodies glue together for another kiss that’s a warning for the night ahead. I love it.
“Does it fucking matter? Even if you didn’t want to take me back, I would have found a way to get you to the room and convince you that we’re meant to be.”
