Page 90 of All My Heart

Her eyes widened. “Did we install something incorrectly? Do you not like the wall in your bedroom? I could change it. Put in something that's more your style.”

“It's not that.” My hands landed on her hips.

“Then what is it?”

“I missed you.” It wasn't the whole truth, but it was a start.

She sucked in a breath.

“It's not the same not waking up to you, cooking breakfast for you, making love to you.” I lowered my voice in case her phone was recording.

“I miss those things too, but that's not enough?—”

“I never told you how I felt. I let you go, thinking that I didn't care whether you left.” I lifted my hand to gesture at the room, the house. “I wanted to support you. I didn't want to hold you back or insinuate that you couldn't do this on your own. I was so worried about doing right by you; I forgot to tell you how I felt.”

Her eyes round, she asked, “And how's that?”

I stepped close enough that her chest rubbed against mine. “I love you, Luna. I never should have let you go without telling you that.”

Her eyes blinked back tears.

“Coming here was a risk I had to take. You might not feel the same way. But I couldn't go on not having told you what I felt. You're it for me, Luna.”

Her smile was tremulous as her hands snaked around my neck. “I love you too.”

“Thank fuck,” I said as I lowered my mouth to hers. Her mouth opened for me, and I didn't waste any time sweeping my tongue into hers. It had only been a few days, but it was too long. I didn't want to ever be apart from her again.

When I slowly pulled back, I said, “I don't know how this is going to work. But I'm willing to do whatever.”

She put her finger on my lips. “I'm still recording.”

She moved away from me, in front of the camera. She lifted her phone so that her face filled the screen. “I hope you enjoyed that. But I'd like some private time with my man.” She turned toward me, and I could see the heart emojis floating up the screen from her followers. “And yes, this is the Axel from the cabin I renovated in Maryland. Merry Christmas.” She blew them a kiss before hitting End on the recording.

I tugged her back to me. “I was worried about dropping in on you like this when I didn't know if you felt the same way.

Luna bit her lip. “I overheard you talking to your dad. You said our relationship was just a way to pass the time.”

“I was trying to protect myself. I knew I had to let you go, and I wasn't sure if you felt anything for me.”

“But that's the reason I kept my feelings to myself.”

My heart pinged at the miscommunication, the time lost. “I'm sorry. I should have been honest with you.”

Luna smiled softly. “I'm just happy you're here now.”

“You want to christen the air mattress?” I lifted her and carried her to the bedroom. It was a good thing I'd watched all those videos; I knew the set-up.

“How do you know I have an air mattress?” Luna asked as I set her down.

I stood at the end of the bed, pulling my shirt over my head, toeing off my shoes before shoving my pants down. “I might have watched your videos.”

“You did?” Luna asked, her gaze slowly moving from my chest downward, heating my skin as she went.

I dropped a knee to the bed and moved over her, noting that we'd need to buy a real mattress. “I missed your voice, and your beautiful smile. You're so passionate about this house.”

Luna bit her lip. “I think I might want to keep it.”

“I want to keep you,” I growled as I dropped my mouth to hers.

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