Page 148 of Reveal

“Is it sad that a part of me was waiting for Brian to show up to profess his love for me too? I mean Carter, Joey . . . who else?”

“It’d be par for the course,” he murmurs.

“Not funny at all.” But there’s a smile on my lips. Who goes through the day I had and has a smile on their lips?

It’s because of Ryker.

“The only one allowed to profess their love for you, Vaughn Sanders, is me.”

I slide my fingers through his and cross both of our arms over my chest.

“I can agree to that.”

“You better.” Another press of a kiss to my shoulder. “Thank you for letting me take care of you.”

Those words are so softly spoken compared to the loud screams that filled the day. To Joey’s accusations when he came to. To the abusive words that Carter spewed. But Ryker’s words are the only ones I hear.

And a part of me thinks there is way more stuffed into those nine words than I’ll ever know.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get there sooner.” The guilt that laces his voice despite my telling him this isn’t on him eats at me.

“I’m glad you didn’t get there later,” I counter.

“Look at you, turning all glass-half-full on me.”

“What can I say? I’m a work in progress.”

“We are a work in progress.”

And with those words, Ryker turns me some so his lips can find mine in a kiss as tender as it is packed with love.

The perfect way to end the shittiest of shitty days.

In his arms.

By my side.

Defending me.

Protecting me.

Loving me.

Giving me the unexpected I never knew I needed.

EPILOGUE

Vaughn

One Year Later

“What is all this?” I ask as I walk out to the patio. The warm breeze is coming off the ocean, the night clear, the fire bright.

“S’mores,” Lucy says with a grin, lips smeared in gooey marshmallows.

“Mmm. Your favorite!” I press a kiss to the top of her head as I look over to Ryker across the fire.

His smile is warm, his eyes alive, his body completely and utterly relaxed.