“Yes.”
He cocks his head questioningly. “But… you said kissing me was a mistake before. You said you didn’t want… me.”
“From the way I just kissed you, do you think that’s true?”
His cheeks pink. “Probably not.”
“I was a fool before,” I say harshly. “I was scared and in denial. I… I wasn’t ready to accept the truth.”
“And now you think you are?” He looks dubious.
“I get why you’re suspicious.” I laugh harshly. “I understand this seems sudden to you, but believe me, I’ve been wrestling with this for a while now.”
“Oh.”
“I fought it. The feelings.” Shame nips at me. “But I can’t fight it anymore. I don’t want to.”
He whispers, “What if I trust you, but you reject me again? I don’t think I can take it, Liam.”
“I won’t reject you. You’re mine,” I say quietly. “And I’m yours. We both know it.”
“You believe that?” He swallows hard.
I nod. “I have no choice. You’re my mate and it’s just how it is.”
He narrows his eyes. “You believe in the mate bond?”
I laugh gruffly, rubbing my aching chest. “I do now.”
“But I’m a man and you said you didn’t want that. You seemed… disgusted.”
“Yes.” I wince at the memories. “I was freaked out at first. I said hurtful things to you because I was lying to myself. I was scared of how I felt about you.” I stroke his stubbled cheek, holding his worried gaze. “But I’m not scared anymore.”
“I see.”
“I love you, Jude. I don’t want anyone but you.” When he still hesitates, jealousy eats at me. “Is it Ben that makes you hesitate?”
He frowns. “Ben?”
“Do you want him instead of me?” I rumble suspiciously.
“No.” Pain passes through his eyes. “ I wanted to love him. But I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“Thank God,” I groan, relieved. “I thought maybe it was too late.”
He bites his bottom lip. “No, it’s not too late. Not if you actually want me.”
“I do want you. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”
He nods, but he doesn’t look sure.
“What else can I do to prove it to you? I broke up with Kara. What else do you want me to do? I’ll do anything, Jude.” I lean closer to him, inhaling his intoxicating scent. “I’m sorry it took me so long to figure it all out. I was so stubborn and scared.”
“I understood it was hard for you.” His eyes are soft with understanding. “You had the perfect life.”
I shake my head. “No. I had the life IthoughtI was supposed to want. Then you came to Golden Peak. The second I saw you, I… I knew. But I couldn’t accept it. I just wasn’t ready. But I also couldn’t let you go.”
“Yeah, I sensed that. And I was happy to be near you, however you wanted me.”
