Page 77 of Anchor Point

Not what I expected.

She slipped the robe on and slid away from me, gliding down the hall to the bathroom as if I hadn’t just laid myself bare.

I stood frozen, staring blankly at the empty space by the door.

Had I misread her? All of the long nights we’d spent together, the depth of emotion in her eyes, the connection we had when we made love. The way she showed me in a thousand different ways that she cared. Had I made it all up in my head? Had I gotten it all wrong? If so, how big of a fool had I been?

One other time, a woman had walked away. I’d been so blindsided when Diedre stood me up, left me stranded and alone in front of a church full of guests like a fool. She’d taken a piece of me, my heart, and all my hopes and dreams for a loving wife and family. I’d waited over fifteen years to feel this depth of emotion again, to lose myself in a woman. Had promised myself I’d never be that vulnerable again.

For Rosie, I could live through the pain of Olivia not loving me in the same way, but I didn’t want to. I wanted all of Liv, the way she had all of me.

“Mac,” she called softly from behind me. I spun like an eager child looking for a prize, to find her at the couch. She held out a hand to me, and like the fool I was, I staggered to her, stepping over the shattered pieces of my rejected heart.

I slipped my hand into hers, and she directed me to the couch like she was coaxing a wild animal. When she had me seated, she slipped into my lap, wrapping my arms around her.

Then, she smiled and kissed me.

“I had to go clean up,” she said, running her fingers through my hair. She paused at my frozen reaction and leaned back to look into my eyes. “Oh, sweetheart. You look so stunned.”

How could such an intelligent woman be so dense? “Liv, I told you that I love you.”

Her lips tipped up softly. “I heard.”

“You walked away.” I choked on the words. It was all I could do to push them out.

“Is that what this look is for? Because I wanted to concentrate on the words you were saying, rather than the mess running down my leg?”

“Olivia.” I said her name as a warning and made to shove her away. I couldn’t be here for this flippant attitude. Couldn’t sit by if she was going to make fun of me.

“Stop.” Her voice held a command and required my attention. “Mac Collins. You need to learn something about me. When the man I love tells me he loves me for the first time, even though I’ve seen it in his gaze, felt it in his touch, and witnessed it in the way he takes care of me every single day… I don’t want anything distracting me. Especially when he’s scared to death and looks like he might bolt naked out the door.”

Her words thawed my insides slightly, though the rejection still lingered.

“Let’s get one thing clear,” she continued, wrapping one arm around my shoulder and cupping my jaw. “I love you too. I wouldn’t walk away from you, ever.”

She kissed me softly, taking away a little more of the sting.

“Sweetheart, look at me,” she whispered, cupping my jaw.

I did then, really looking deep into her eyes. What I found was compassion, kindness, acceptance, and love.

“I love you too.” Her voice shook as the words left her mouth and became real. Diving deep into my heart, touching that soft wound that had never fully healed, that lonely place deep inside me that longed for someone to see me—to love me.

“Don’t ever leave me.” The pleading words came on a whisper, ripped from my heart and thrust into the space between us before I could stop them. “I don’t deserve you, won’t ever be good enough for you. But please don’t ever leave me.”

Her expression shifted, tears filling her eyes. “I won’t. I’m so sorry, Mac. That was heartless of me to walk away a moment ago.” She kissed me again, as if trying to soothe the hurt. “You’ve been so gentle with me, making me feel so secure. I just took for granted that you knew how I felt. I should’ve taken more care, been softer, especially because I know you have such a tender heart. Please forgive me.”

I could and I would. But maybe I also needed to grow a pair and realize that just because she hadn’t immediately responded the way I wanted her to, didn’t mean her feelings weren’t there.

“I shouldn’t be so sensitive,” I admitted, finally finding the strength to communicate.

“Mac, it’s okay to be sensitive. It’s one of my favorite things about you. I promise to honor your sensitive heart.”

“You could make it up to me by marrying me.” The words popped out before I could stop them. But once they were in the open, hanging between us, the future became real. I wanted her. Wanted her and Rosie in my life for always.

“How would that work? One of us would have to give up the job.”

“I’d give up everything for you,” I vowed. “I can find another job. I can sell the lake house. I can freeze my retirement. Hell, the way Rosie likes to spend money, I’ll be working until I’m dead, anyway.”

---