Page 213 of This Bitter Sweet Temptation
“Yeah, barely. But thanks for coming back.” I twine my fingers with his. “Without you, who knows. You saved my life,” I grind out.
“Clee.” His words are thick now, desolate eyes blooming with emotion. “I’ll always come back for you. Never, never worry about that. No matter what happened before, if you need me, I’ll come.”
“So we’re doing this? Talking about the future?” I move in closer, eliminating the space between us on the pillow.
“Are you going to tell me you’re pissed that I broke the egg after all?”
“No, Holden.” I hesitate. “I want to go back to Maine with you. I’ll ditch the place in Boston and figure out the rest later. I just want to live with you. You and your cute old house and Kit.”
“What are you saying?” His throat bobs as he swallows.
“Do I need to say it in another language?” I kiss the tip of his nose. “I want to be a part of your life, Holden Verity. I want to be your girlfriend, if you’ll let me. And I know maybe it’s a little fast and sudden, but—”
He doesn’t let me finish.
He just picks me up by the waist and swings me on top of him, wrapping his arms around my back and pressing me tight. I feel his drumming heart and his breath in my ear.
“Thought I’d lost you forever with my stupidity,” he says.
“You came to your senses. I don’t want to be lost. I want you.”
“Fuck,” he says raggedly, easing his hold so he can kiss me.
I kiss him back with all my heart, every steaming emotion I’ve ever mustered.
“About your inheritance—”
“I don’t care about mine,” he rumbles.
“Holden!” I slap his chest gently. “I care, okay? We’ll make sure you get it. You protected me.”
“Not the damn egg.” His lips twist in a wry smile. His hand smooths my hair. “I knew when I shot it to pieces that I blew any chance I had of the inheritance.”
“I disagree, and Gramps is gone. Jackie Wilkes, I’m sure she’ll be reasonable. If she’s not, I’ll fight the lawyers for you, if that’s what it takes. I bet I can get my cousins on board, too.”
“Just what we need, the whole crew of Blackthorn kids stepping up for the guy who used to ruin their fun. I don’t want you doing anymore fighting, Clee. I can handle my own battles.”
I stroke his beard. “You’ll always be worth the fight. And we’ll figure the rest out.”
“The rest, right,” he repeats. “Kit’s going to be thrilled.”
“She’s a sweet little bee, Holden. I love her to death.”
“She likes you too.” There’s a gleam in his eye that gives me the shakiest smile.
I slide off him, curling into the space he makes for me at his side. He rolls over, holding me close, my back to his chest.
“Hey, Holden,” I say.
“Yeah?”
“You said you loved me earlier. Can I hear it again?”
He pauses. I feel his smile against my hair. “Good night, Clee. Love you like mad.”
“I love you, too,” I whisper.
For the first time in days, I drift off peacefully.
