Page 114 of When There Was You
“So?”
He strokes my hair, moving a section away from my eyes. “I don’t know about you, Sundance, but this sure as hell feels a lot like forever.”
I nod because it does, although voicing that sentiment aloud gives it a credence that scares me. Like it’s too good to be true? And it’swaytoo soon to be making even stronger pronouncements than we have already. A laugh huffs out. “Guess we really didn’t heed ‘going slow’, huh?”
“You know, maybe if Emmy had paused, even just for a second. But she didn’t. She sees exactly what I do…a bright, sparkling light. You’re so easy to like. And the window dressing ain’t bad, either.” He graces me with one of his most charming grins.
I sink into those compliments.
“Window dressing isn’t enough to sustain a relationship though,” he adds. “I mean, don’t get me wrong…it’s a mighty appealing package?—”
“Speak for yourself, Lumberjack. Your looks are pretty much responsible for keeping me around.”
Butch flips me onto my back and tickles me mercilessly.
“I give,I give!” I shout through giggles.
His gaze turns serious, and my laughter dissipates. “Let me finish. Where your beauty really shines is in your nature. You’re giving, loving, empathetic, funny, and damn good company. It’s why you fit in so well with everybody here, like you were meant to be a Hamilton all along.”
He’s knocking my socks off. That’s what he sees? That’s who I am?
I bury my forehead into his neck. “You’re embarrassing me but also winning me over.” I lift my head and our smilescollide. “Who you are takes my breath away. When I saw into your heart, the kind of father you are, son, brother, man…it was everything. You’re a protector. A champion for others. Reliable, loyal, faithful, giving, so much more.” I place my palm on his chest. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in a human being before, and I’ve never felt so at home with someone in my entire life. In fact, I’ve truly neverfeltat home.” My voice cracks. “Until now.”
“Did I mention how in love with you I am today?”
“Not yet,”I whisper.
“I love you, Jacqui,” he says, his emerald eyes earnest.
Those three words are like CPR to a drowning victim. They revive me, make me want to live. “I love you too.”
We kiss, the soulful kind. The kind with unspoken promises.
Butch shifts his body alongside mine, resting his head on his crooked arm. “How are you doing with the whole…Emmy thing?”
“It’s been surprising,” I say. “Natural-ish? Easy? I’m going with the flow.”
“You’ve been great with her. She adores you, and I can’t even begin to tell you what seeing the two of you together does to the ol’ ticker. You two gals are shredding it.”
“It’s still early, but honestly, it’s not as difficult as I imagined. She’s a tiny human, nothing to be afraid of.”
He barks out a laugh. “Oh, she’s plenty scary. Like all you women.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“You’re part of the club, sweetheart, the giant sorority. None of you have a clue how much power you wield over us.”
I stare incredulously. “You must be high, Mr. Hamilton. Do you not understand how menshatterus?”
“Psh. It’s all posturing and ego and bullshit. You have what we want.Desperately want.”
I roll my eyes. “Pussy?”
“Well, that, sure. But way more. Women are far more interesting and complex.”
“On that, we can agree.”
His lips quirk before he turns contemplative. “You provide depth…add meaning to everyday life. A woman’s love is rare, precious, and powerful.”
