Is he going to kiss me?
Do I want him to?
Yes.
God help me, yes.
I close my eyes…and feel his lips press to my forehead instead.
“I love you, babygirl,” he says against my skin. “So fucking much it kills me knowing what you’ve been through.”
My chest tightens.
“I’m sorry for pushing you away,” he continues, voice rough. “For not loving you out loud when you needed me the most. If Ihad, you never would’ve been hurt by that fuck. I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
His lips brush once, feather-light, before dropping away.
“But I swear on my mama’s grave I will never put that wall between us again. I used your brother as an excuse. I used your innocence as an excuse. I even used your being captured by the cartel as an excuse.”
He shakes his head, jaw tight.
“But it was never you, baby. It was always me. I was a coward.”
I open my eyes, but he doesn’t stop.
“Even if you never give me another chance,” he says, “I’ll never stop doing everything in my power to protect you. Please… listen to Maverick. Listen to the twins. Stay safe for me.”
He presses one last kiss to my forehead and turns away like it costs him everything.
“Tank,” I call out, my heart hammering in my chest.
He stops. Turns. Waits.
“I love you too,” I say, the truth spilling out before fear can stop it.
A soft smile touches his mouth. “I know, baby. And I’m so sorry I didn’t accept that sooner.”
He nods once at Maverick…some silent, caveman understanding passing between them…and then he’s gone.
Moments later, the sound of engines roars to life.
My brother’s bike. Tank’s.
And I stand there, heart cracked open, knowing that something has shifted.
Not fixed. But changed.
Taking a huge, steady breath, I exhale it loudly.
Then I turn to Maverick, cock a hip, and plant my hands on my waist.
“Really?” I say flatly. “The freaking twins?”
Maverick throws his head back and laughs, the sound rich and entirely unapologetic.
Despite my irritation…despite everything…I duck my head to hide my smile.
Shaking it off, I turn back toward my work, pushing the conversation aside just as the clock ticks closer to my first client’s arrival.
