Page 76 of Mob Saint

“And if we hadn’t been? What would they have done?”

“I never would have found out. I’d never have done that if you weren’t there.”

I don’t want her to tempt fate and think she can take risks because I’m there to protect her. I always will, but I can’t guarantee I always can.

“Shay, I won’t go around doing stupid shit just because you’re bigger than everyone else. I’d say today was extenuating circumstances.”

“You could say that.”

“I know I should be in my seat with my belt on, but I really don’t want to move. Can I stay like this for a while?”

“Yes. You’re where you belong, Tiera.”

Our lips meet, and her hand slides up my chest to cup my neck. We take our time, savoring every moment. I hope she knows how much this means to me. I hope it means as much to her. There’s so much I want to say about my feelings, but it’s too soon. I don’t think I’m confusing lust for love because I’ve never felt this depth of emotion before. I know my future is with Tiera. I’ve known it since the very beginning. I wouldn’t have asked her out—pursued her—if I didn’t know it.

I’ve prayed more in the weeks I’ve known her than I have in years. I’ve prayed I’m right about her being my future. I’ve prayed I’m not making a mistake and risking her life. I’ve prayed she’ll feel the same way about me as I do her. I’ve prayed I can make her happy. I’ve prayed I can keep her safe. I’ve prayed to be forgiven for whatever I end up doing to the men in her life. But I won’t pray for forgiveness for what I’ll do when I find the motherfucker terrorizing my girlfriend.

By the time the kiss ends, I have a hand up the back of her skirt and one up the back of her shirt. It tempts me to strip her naked and feast upon her since we have at least two hours until we get to her place. Maybe I will in a little while. Right now, I just want to touch skin to skin, even if it’s only my palms.

“Thank you for standing by me throughout that. You could have been on my side purely for appearance’s sake, while silently disagreeing with me or not caring about what you heard. But you supported me, and I never felt alone. Thank you.”

“Cailín, even if I disagree with something you do, it won’t change that I’ll always support you. I never want you to feel alone again. I don’t want you to think you have to go through any of this on your own. I’ll be on your side.”

And I want nothing more than to always be at her side.

“You’re more to me than just this, but you’re also a good friend.”

Thank God for the first part, or I would have my hand on her arse while getting friend zoned. That would be awkward.

“No matter what happens, I always want at least that.”

As we gaze at each other, something clicks into place for both of us. We aren’t looking at each other with lust, even though there’s never been a moment without some amount of desire. This is soul deep. It’s like we understand the inevitable.

“Seamus, are you my future?”

Her question is barely more than a whisper. She isn’t timid. It feels a bit more like she doesn’t want to tempt fate.

“You are undoubtedly mine. I want to be yours.”

“What does that mean to you?”

“It means I want an us that has our place. It means waking up to you and going to bed with you for more than just a week. It means knowing I’m always coming home to you. It means cooking together, doing each other’s laundry, knowing each other’s favorite foods to make for dinner, and understanding when we need space and when we need comfort. It means no one matters more to me than you.”

She appears thoughtful for a moment before she nods. There’s something she’s holding back. Not a secret. Something she’s still uncertain she can share.

“Tiera, what’s the matter? Was that too much too soon?”

“No. Could you ever see marriage in your future?”

“To you, yes.”

“So, not to anyone else.”

“No. Have I wished I could have what my parents have? Yeah, but I didn’t assume I would.”

“What does that mean? I mean, what is it your parents have?”

“An unwavering partnership that’s been tested and never failed. Someone who makes them happy and understands them in a way even the rest of the family doesn’t. Someone they can each confide in, laugh with, cry with, and grow old with.”

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