Page 146 of Before I Loved You

His eyes pierce mine, stealing all the air from my lungs. “I love you, Sarah. So goddamn much. So much that, to be honest, it feels…”

“Overwhelming?”

His lips curve up. “How’d you know?”

“Because I feel the same way.”

Taking his face between my palms, closing my eyes, I brush the tip of my nose against his and take a steadying breath.

“I love you, Paul,” I confess with confidence, dropping my hands to his chest. Opening my eyes, I see his lips split into a wide grin. Tears of joy pool in my eyes as I bite my trembling lower lip. “I just…I just want to make sure you’re sure and that you’re not just saying those three words because we’re having a baby together. Because if that’s the case, Paul, please don’t feel obligated to love me.”

It’s been my biggest fear: Paul only wants to be with me because we’re having a baby, and he wants to do the right thing out of obligation. It’s not because he actually loves me. But can he blame me for thinking that when everyone in my life has either left me or pushed me away to be the next person’s problem?

Never good enough for anyone to stay.

Only good enough to make them leave.

He lets out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “I can read you like my favorite book, Sarah. You think I only love you because we’re having a baby together, but you’re wrong. You think we made our baby before I loved you, but the thing is, baby girl, I’ve loved you ever since my eyes landed on you in that bar and got lost in those big, beautiful green eyes. I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you, and I will love you for the rest of my life. Making a baby that night was just the cherry on top.”

Fresh tears cascade down my cheeks as I take in his confession. “You really love me?”

He grins. “With every beat of my heart and every breath that I take.”

Emotions I’ve never experienced swirl through me like a tidal wave, washing away every trace of loneliness my heart has ever felt. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but please promise me one thing,” I request. He arches a brow as he brushes away the tears on my face with the pad of his thumb. “Promise me you’ll never let me go.” I place the palms of my hands on his cheeks, my voice trembling with the weight of my words. “No matter what happens, I need to know…” I let out a shaky breath. “I need to know that if I give you my heart…that if I give you…myself…you won’t let me go. Because you’re the one person in this world, I can’t live without.”

He shakes his head adamantly. “I will never let you go.” His lips meet mine in a tender kiss. “I promise, Sarah. I will love you every day, holding on to you with all that I have. You’re not alone anymore. And you never will be again… We have each other now. You, me, and our beautiful baby.” He presses our foreheads together. “But I need you to promise me one thing in return.”

“Anything,” I breathlessly respond, my heart beating out of my chest.

“Promise me you’ll always let me take care of you.”

I suck in my bottom lip, looking down at the bed. “I’m just not used to it.”

“I know.” He strokes his knuckles across my cheek. “But I’m making a vow to you right now. I will always take care of you and our baby. No matter what you two need, I will provide for you and be the best man I can be in both of your lives. Always, baby girl.”

“Thank you,” I breathe, wiping each tear from my skin with trembling fingers.

He places his hands on my cheeks, his thumbs gently stroking my skin. “I love you.” He drops one hand, moving it between us, tenderly rubbing my stomach. “And you, little one. I love you, too.”

Wrapping my hands around his neck, I say, “I promise I will always let you take care of me and our baby.”

A satisfied smile appears on his face. “Then it looks like we have a deal.” His lips land on mine, kissing me with all the love we’ve kept inside ourselves these past five months.

All the love that will only be growing stronger and harder between us with every passing day.

Gently, he lays me down, his body covering mine as he rests on his elbows, holding himself above me.

His fingers comb through my hair, his palm resting against the side of my head. “I love you so goddamn much.”

I bite my bottom lip, bringing my hips up to meet his. “Then show me.”

He grins, brushing his lips against the shell of my ear. “I’m going to worship every goddamn inch of your body, and only after I’m done will I let you come.”

His words ignite my whole body on fire as he reaches down and lets his palm slide up the inside of my thigh, grazing my sensitive skin. “Promises. Promises,” I whisper. His fingers reach the apex of my thighs, expecting a barrier of cotton between us, but he appears pleasantly surprised at my lack of underwear tonight.

A low groan escapes him as he slides his finger back and forth through my center. “Always so wet for me.” He twirls his finger above my entrance, teasing me.

I inhale a shaky breath, ripping my shirt off my body. “Please, Paul.”

---