Page 96 of Fire in My Heart

“Oh, Teddy.” I cupped his cheek.

“I couldn’t see a life where you weren’t in it.”

“Me either.” I’d scared him badly. “I’m so sorry.”

“No more apologies. I wish you’d told me so I could have protected you. Thinking about what could have happened drove me crazy.”

“But it didn’t. I’m right here, and I’m safe.”

“I have a hard time trusting people, and when I found out that you’d kept something so important from me, I couldn’t handle it.”

I opened my mouth, but he pressed a finger against my lips. “I love you, and I want a lifetime with you. So what do you say? Do you have room in here for me?” He touched my chest, where my heart was beating rapidly, then pressed my hand to his. “Because I have space for you in here.”

I nodded, even as my tears threatened to choke my words. “I love you too.”

With a whoop, Teddy lifted me so that my legs straddled his waist. He backed me up until my butt rested on the wide deck railing. Then he kissed me as I looped my wrists around his neck.

He finally pulled back, nestling his nose against my neck as if he was breathing me in. I held him tight to me.

When he finally lifted his head, he asked, “What do you think of my place?”

“It’s my dream house. I couldn’t believe Juliana brought me here.” Then I panicked. “Is she still waiting for me?”

“I asked her to drop you off and go.”

At my confused expression, he continued, “When Cole told me you were looking for an apartment, I got Juliana’s number and asked that she bring you here. I was banking on you wanting to stay here in my bed.”

“I do. So much. I can’t believe you did all of that. Especially when I was the one who messed up.” I still felt a sense of awe that I was here in Teddy’s arms.

“I was the one who was stubborn. I wished you’d told me sooner. I wanted to protect you. But instead of saying any ofthat, I retreated, shutting you out. But I couldn’t do life without you. I didn’t like coming home to this big empty house when I felt a void inside.”

I smoothed my hand over his chest. My heart ached for him. “We both messed up.”

“We’re going to make mistakes. But I promise to discuss things with you, not shut you out.”

I let out a shaky breath. “And I promise to always be truthful.”

Teddy smoothed my hair out of my face. “How can we go wrong?”

I smiled. “I don’t think we can.”

His brow furrowed. “I kind of want to show you my bedroom now.”

“Take me to bed,” I said huskily, holding on tight as Teddy lifted me, my legs banding around his waist. He carried me inside and up the stairs to the end of the hall and his massive bedroom. I noticed his furniture was dark and heavy as he lowered me to the comforter, following me down.

“I’ll never get enough of you,” he growled into my skin.

“Mmm. I like the sound of that.” I loved the vibration of his voice through my body.

We took our time kissing and getting reacquainted with each other. There was no sense of urgency. We had all night to spend together. Each touch, each kiss was a revelation, a promise to always be there for each other.

I’d never take us for granted again.

When he finally entered me, my body was trembling for release. His cock easily slid inside, his movements slow and measured. Within minutes, I was careening toward the biggest orgasm I’d ever experienced.

It was too much yet not enough. We had a lifetime with each other. I’d given him all my heart, and he’d given me his. There was nothing more satisfying than that.

EPILOGUE

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