Page 155 of A Dangerous Kind of Love

“Michael?” she says, her voice muffled against me.

“Mmm-hmm.”

I look down at her as she tilts her face up, her eyes meeting mine.

“I love you.”

Everything in me stops. For a second, I don’t say anything. She bites the inside of her cheek, like she’s already trying to take it back.

“I’m sorry,” she says. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

She starts to pull away, but I tighten my grip, holding her there.

“No,” I say, taking her face in my hands. “I just wasn’t expecting you to say that first. Are you sure?”

She nods. “Yes. But I understand. It’s too soon. I’m sorry.”

She tries to move again.

“Katie,” I say, pulling her chin back to me. “I love you too.”

“You do?”

“Doll, I haven’t exactly hidden my feelings for you,” I say, and she smiles.

“It’s just, with my mom—“ She cuts herself off, her throat working.

“What is it?” I ask.

She takes a deep breath.

“I watched her disappear,” she says. “And I kept thinking there would be more time. More chances to say things out loud.”

Her fingers curl into my shirt.

“I’m not waiting anymore. I love you, and I know I’m going to spend my life with you.”

I pick her up, and she wraps around me instantly, her legs locking at my waist. Her pulls me in as she kisses me like she needs to feel something other than the weight of everything pressing down on her.

I hold her tighter and carry her back to the bed, not slowing down, not pulling away. I let her have this. I let her take whatever she needs from me.

“Are you sure?” I ask, easing her down.

“Yes,” she breathes against my lips, not hesitating.

Then I let her drown in me.

Chapter 55

Katie

His words hang in the air as he eases me down onto the bed. My back sinks into the mattress, the sheets cool against my heated skin, but his body follows, covering mine. I cling to him, my fingers digging into his shoulders, pulling him closer because right now, he’s the only thing keeping me from shattering completely.

Michael’s tongue slides against mine making my breath catch. His hands roam my sides, pushing up the hem of my shirt, exposing my stomach to his touch. I arch up, needing more. He tugs the fabric over my head and tosses it aside. His lips trail down my neck, sending shivers racing across my body.

“I need you,” I whisper, my voice thick with tears, as I fumble with his shirt, yanking it free.

His chest is warm under my palms. He shifts, helping me undress him, then works on my pants, sliding them down my legs along with my panties.