Page 20 of The Square Up

“You’re just what?” he cuts me off, stepping in front of me. “Just another woman? Just some fling? Is that what you think?”

I swallow hard, the tears threatening to spill over. “It’s what you do. You… you move on. You don’t stay.”

“You’re right. I’ve never stayed with a woman. Not ever.” He inches closer. “Until you. You’re what’s different, Abby. It’s you. With you in my life, I’m not the same. I’m better.” He reaches for my hand. “I’m yours.”

I try to pull my hand away, but he holds on, refusing to let me go. “Please don’t make this harder than it already is,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “Please don’t give me any more of your lines.”

“Lines?” Kade shakes his head. “I’ve never used a line on you.”

“That’s not true.”

He tips my chin up. “Look into my eyes, baby.” He says softly. “The truth is there.”

My lips start to quiver as I gaze into his eyes.

“What do you see?”

“I don’t know…” I look away.

“Yes, you do. Look again. I’m not letting you go, Abby. I’m not letting you walk out of my life.”

“I have to.” My voice cracks. “I have to go before you leave me. The longer I stay, the harder it’s going to be for me, Kade. I have to save myself.”

His eyes soften. “I am never leaving you. I’m in this forever. I’m in love with you, Abby.”

The words hit me like a tidal wave, crashing over me with such force I can barely breathe. I stagger back, shaking my head. “No… no, you don’t.”

“I do,” he says, stepping closer, his hands cupping my face. “I love you, Abby. You’re everything to me.” His finger strokes my cheek. “You’re the love of my life.”

More tears fall; I can’t hold them back anymore. “Kade, please—”

“Please, what?” he whispers, his thumb brushing away a tear. “Please let you walk out of my life? Please let you push me away because you’re scared? I can’t do that, baby. I won’t.”

He’s so emphatic, so downright vehement, I’m starting to think that maybe he’s right. Maybe I am afraid. Maybe I’m so scared I let Cassidy’s opinions steer me off course.

“I love you,” he says again, his voice softer than velvet. “And I’m not letting you go. That’s my ring on your finger, and it’s staying right where it is.”

I close my eyes, wanting to believe him. God, I want to believe him so badly.

“Kade…” My voice trembles as my walls crumble to the ground. “I don’t know how to do this.”

“Then let me show you,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against mine. “Let me love you.”

Chapter Thirteen

Kade

I grab the remote to open the bedroom curtains a sliver. The morning light spills across Abby’s face, and my chest tightens at the sight of her smiling in her sleep with one hand curled under her cheek. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen—hell, the most beautiful thing that’s ever existed. My fingers reach for a lock of her hair, rubbing the silky strands between them, and I wonder how I got so damn lucky.

Last night was a close call—too close. I’ve spent half the night trying to decide whether to give her space, let time do its work, orlock this down—right here, right now.

I want her. Ineedher by my side. Forever.

I glance at her face again, peaceful and soft in the morning light.She’s mine.And I’m going to make sure she knows it today and every day. I don’t care about a big wedding, fancy plans, or making it a spectacle. I care abouther—our love, our future. I want her to know, to never doubt, that from this moment on, sheismy life. My everything.

Her eyes flutter open, and when they meet mine, the world stops. I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “Morning, bright eyes,” I say, leaning down to kiss her forehead, inhaling the soft scent of her skin. It’s heaven. She’s heaven.

She grins back. “Morning, babe.”

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