Page 199 of The Path to Loving Him
That I don’t want to shake.
No, I want to stay glued to him. I want to remain in his life for as long as he will let me because as his mouth parts and our tongues meet, I know for certain my feelings for him grow so much further past like, past lust.
The feelings I have for him are love, and I’m not afraid to admit that to myself despite never thinking I’d ever love someone after Nathan.
But here I am, chest open, heart out, ready to be stolen by this man.
Now, I just need to wait. I need to wait and make sure that my feelings match his. Until then, I will foster this relationship and do everything in my power to make sure Ryland knows that even though he’s the protector, someone else can protect him.
Protect him and love him.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
RYLAND
“Where do you think you’re going?” I ask Gabby as she heads toward her apartment while I carry a passed-out Mac to the house.
“Uh, home,” she says with a laugh.
I shake my head and then nod toward my house. “Sleep over.”
“Are you . . . are you sure? What about Mac?”
“What about her?”
“I don’t want to overstep,” she says, looking nervous. This is why I’m convinced trying a relationship with Gabby is the right move. She’s focused on the little girl in my care and her needs, which says everything I need to know about this amazing woman.
“Would I ask you to spend the night if you were overstepping?”
“No.”
“Then sleep over . . . but only if you want to. I don’t want to pressure you if you’re uncomfortable.”
She gives it some thought. “It doesn’t make me uncomfortable.”
“Then get your ass in my house.”
She smiles. “Let me grab my toothbrush and pajamas.”
“You won’t need pajamas,” I say as I move toward the house and let us in.
Mac passed out in the truck after I had to physically put her in myself. For the smallest of moments, I thought about leaving her at Hattie’s place, slipping her into the guest room, and then taking off so I didn’t have to disturb her. But then I remembered that my sister had just gotten engaged, so there was no way they’d want to take care of a four-year-old the next day.
I carry her upstairs and don’t even bother changing her out of her clothes. We slipped her shoes off when we put her in the truck, so all I had to do was place her in bed. I lay her down gently, pull the covers over her, and then place a soft kiss on her forehead. I stare down at her for a moment, my heart feeling really fucking full.
A lot of it has to do with Mac and her acceptance of me but it’s also Gabby, too, a person I never knew I needed or wanted in my life.
I sneak out of Mac’s bedroom and move downstairs where I wait for Gabby.
Tonight was . . . it was amazing. Seeing my little sister get engaged to the man she loves with her family and friends surrounding her, especially after such a rough year, and then being able to lay back in a lounge chair with Gabby, staring up at the stars...I’ve never felt so completely fulfilled.
This is what happiness is.
After trudging through the trenches year after year and feeling every disappointment, every heartache one person can feel, finding light after the darkness is incredible. I never want to let go of this feeling.
The back door opens, and Gabby walks in wearing the T-shirt I gave her and carrying her toothbrush.
“I thought I told you no pajamas.”
