Page 115 of Saddle Storm

I should go to bed. Silas said he’ll be back and I know he meant it. But I couldn’t blame him if he decided he wasn’t ready. Hell, I’m not sure if I am.

Car lights flash outside the window and I gasp. My heart skips before continuing to thud hard against my chest.

A moment later the lock turns and the door opens as Silas lets himself in. His eyes sweep the dark space before finding me on the couch, the lamp on the side table behind me turned low.

I lift slightly but he puts up a hand. “Don’t get up.”

I relax against the cushions as he sets my keys down, sheds his jacket, and starts to unbutton that crisp white shirt he had on today.

He must pick up on the chill, because he raises the thermostat before approaching me on the couch. Bending his knees to me.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

He frowns. “Don’t be. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I didn’t tell you.”

His chuckle is light. “Can’t blame you.” He strokes my hair. “I’m sorry I walked out on you when you needed me.”

There’s something behind his eyes that, even in the dark, is clear as day to me.

“You’re still mad.”

He doesn’t deny it. His eyes drop for a brief second before meeting my eyes again. “Yeah, I uh . . . turns out I might need a little more than a minute.” He huffs a laugh and there’s almost an apology behind it.

It’s unfair. Unfair for me to expect him to accept this today and move on.

A tear falls loose and I swipe it away. “Silas, you don’t have to explain. I wouldn’t have blamed you for . . . well if you needed space from us.”

His eyes darken.

“I’d miss you, but . . .” I nod so he knows how much I trust him, “. . . I know you’ll be back.”

His eyes gleam between the hurt. Blinking, he reaches into his pocket and swipes his phone before setting it on my lap. “Read that.”

I frown. “It’s our texts from earlier.”

He watches me as I read the last exchange.

Silas: I’m coming over?

Storm: Too presumptuous?

Silas: No such thing. I’ll be there.

I lift my gaze to his and he sets aside his phone. My heart exploding with love for this man.

“I’ve spent the last few weeks here trying to convince you I’m not going anywhere. That you can trust me. Depend on me.” He strokes my jaw. “Not to abandon you when things get a little . . . hard.”

“Silas—”

“I love you, Storm,” he breathes. “I couldn’t wait to get home to you tonight after that painful game to tell you that. Because between good days and bad, you’ll always be the good. My constant, my biggest win.”

I sniffle and he pulls me up, wrapping his arms around me. It’s all I’ve wanted to feel all night.

“I love you too,” I whisper against his chest.

He backs me up to look at me. A cocky smirk on his face as he winks. “I know. You loved me first, remember?”