Page 172 of Forbidden You

I swallow, my knees weak when I put my legs back in motion, shaking my head in disbelief.

I knew Nana wouldn’t let me drive her car for something silly.

“What is this?” I ask, giggling.

When I finally feel some strength seeping back in my muscles, I break out into a run. He holds his arms out, and I launch myself at his body like a damn koala. My legs are wrapped around his waist, my arms almost strangling as I squeeze his neck. I breathe in his coco wax, feeling an instant high rush through my mind.

Home. He feels like home, and I close my eyes, just taking in how he feels against my body.

“Hey, baby,” he whispers in my ear.

“What is this?” I lean back, locking my eyes with his.

“My grand gesture.”

I blink, holding back the big toothy smile that’s dying to get out.

“You rented the entire carnival for the night?”

He hums in agreement.

“You hate the carnival.”

“I know.” He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “But you don’t.”

He keeps looking at me, causing my heart to pound harder with every second.

“I fucked up so badly,” he says.

“You did.”

“I know you said you needed time, and I’m willing to give you that if that’s really what you want. But I need you to know that I love you.”

Holy shit.

I gasp. I did not expect that to fall from his lips. I’m sorry,yeah. Forgive me,maybe. Can we start over,sure. But never I love you. Not so soon. Not after the wall he’s put up.

“I love you. I fell in love with you quicker than I could keep up, and I’m sorry for letting you wait so long. I’m sorry for holding your age above your head as a way to keep my distance. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I let you go. But I’m not sorry I fell in love with you.” The genuine sparkle of happiness glosses over my eyes, my heart expanding to unseen proportions. “I was a coward. I thought love destroyed my father. That his obsessions with my mother were what killed him in the end. But my mother saved him. The love he felt for her made him live longer than any doctor ever gave him. I was wrong, baby. I was so goddamn wrong and I’m sorry. I’m going to tell you every day for the rest of my life, even if you don’t want to hear it. I’m going to force you to listen, even if you don’t want to hear it, because I love you, Kayla. I fucking love you, baby.”

I don’t understand half of what he’s telling me, and I will definitely have more questions later, but now all I hear is he loves me.He loves me.

Water pools down my cheeks, and I take his face in my hands.

“Well, thank fuck.” I chuckle as my voice falters. “Because it sucks to be the only one in love in a relationship. Doesn’t work as well as when two people feel the same way.”

He smirks at the sarcasm in my tone, cupping my cheek.

“I always felt the same, baby. I just wasn’t as brave as you.” He leans in, our mouths almost touching, while he brushes my tears away.

That compliment makes me smile.

Brave.

I like to think of myself as brave.

“Probably because you’re an old man. The bravery fades away with the years.”

“Shut up, woman.” Impatiently, he covers his mouth with mine in a bruising kiss. The urgency is tangible, torching every sense in my body.

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