Page 125 of That One Heartbreak

“It feels like you hurt yourself more,” she told him. “And I wasn’t exactly an angel. I don’t know why I got so upset over a stupid grill.”

“Because it wasn’t about the grill. It was about my need to protect you overriding your right to make decisions. And it never should have. You don’t need a protector, Kate. Though I’m gonna admit I’ll find it hard not to be that guy. What you need is a partner. Because you’ve got this on your own. You’re already winning at this.”

“It doesn’t feel like it,” she admitted. “It feels like I’m losing more than I’m winning.”

“Maybe that’s why you could use a partner,” he said softly. “To show you how wrong you are. And I have no right to ask, but I’m going to, anyway. Because I want that partner to be me. I want to be yours in every way possible. With my heart, my body. My fucking soul. It’s all yours. It has been for a while now.” Helifted her hand up, pressing his lips against her wrist. “Maybe I’m the one that needs a protector.”

“From what?” she asked, her voice thick. Because this man of few words was killing her with so many. And she knew he meant every single one of them. He was used to actions, to communicate by doing things.

Hell, the planter they were sitting next to was a testament to that.

“From myself, I guess.” He smiled at her and it was devastating. “From my own bad decisions.”

“You only made one of them.” She nodded at the grill. “And it’s back now.”

“Is it?”

Even though his hand was in hers she still felt the distance between them. It was too much. She needed to be closer.

She needed to feel him.

“Can I sit with you?” she asked.

He pulled her over. Instead of shuffling so she could sit next to him, she landed on his lap.

He let out such a contented sigh she felt warmth rush through her.

And maybe she hadn’t thought this all the way through. Because now that they were touching she felt the need again. Like an ache that never truly went away.

She squirmed in his lap and this time his groan wasn’t so contented.

“Kate…”

“Sorry.” Though the smile she gave him wasn’t sorry at all.

He cupped her face, his eyes intent on hers. “I want a second chance,” he said. “I want us. I want our family. I want to be the one to put all the smiles on your face and wipe all the tears away. I want to protect you and have you protect me. I want to take care of your kids and listen to them argue and moan. I wantthem to become the teenagers that hate us because we’re the parents that are always making out in the kitchen when they’re around.”

She laughed, because the image of it was so strong. Marley pulling her in for a kiss as she cooked dinner and a teenage Addy and Ethan did their homework, while James wrinkled his nose at their antics.

She ached to have that. To havehim.To get back on the road they’d started to walk together. The one that twisted and turned but led to the most beautiful of sunset-lit horizons.

“I want that too,” she whispered. “So yes. Yes, please.”

“You forgive me?”

She nodded, emotion making her chest feel like it was going to burst. “Yes, I do.”

“Okay, but you need to know. This isn’t it. Operation Woo is just beginning. Because every day with you feels like I’ve won something I want to be worthy of. And I’m never going to stop letting you know that you’re the biggest and best prize any man can have.”

“Operation Woo?”

“It’s a Mary thing.”

“She’s been quite the busy woman.” She held up her phone. Two more messages from her appeared on Kate’s screen.

“She really has,” he agreed, his warm eyes on hers. “Let’s keep her in suspense for a little while longer, shall we?”

“It’ll be my greatest pleasure.” Kate put her phone down. And his gaze softened in that way she remembered all too well. She could feel him swelling beneath her, see the way his eyes were darkening. The need in them reflecting her own desires.

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