Page 107 of Rope Me In

He starts to pull back then, but I don’t let him.

“You’re not.” My voice is firmer now. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met. Being vulnerable doesn’t make you weak. Having depression doesn’t make you weak. You asked for help—that’s more than a lot of people do, baby.”

His watery eyes stare into mine, and I bring one of my hands up to cup his damp cheek. “Tell me how I can help you, and Iwill. I’ll drive you to the hospital, I’ll stay with you all night, I’ll follow you around twenty-four hours a day—just tell me what you need. I’m here for you, Kade, and I’m not leaving.”

“You’re too good for me, Presley.”

I shake my head. “Then you’re too good for me.” He tries to pull back again, but I just grip him tighter, making him look into my eyes. “Stop thinking.”

He blinks at me, then a hint of a smile curls at the corners of his lips. “You’re using my own words against me, Lemon darlin’.”

The weight on my chest lightens a bit at his use of my special nickname. “Is it working?”

He turns and kisses the inside of my palm before resting the weight of his head against it. His heavy eyes close, features warming as if he’s drawing in my strength.

“Despite what you think of yourself right now, Kade, you’re a good man. You’ll get through this, and I’ll be there to help you, I promise.”

His eyes flutter open, and I see a tear clinging to one of his long lashes. “Why?” he asks. “I couldn’t even keep my promise to be there for you tonight. I’m a fuckup, Presley. I stared at a flask for I don’t know how long instead of being there for you—I’m not any better than your asshole ex.”

I shake my head fiercely. “No, you’re not, Kade. You’re nothing like him.”

“You don’t know me that well. I’m—”

“But Idoknow you, Kade. You’ve shown me who you are. You’re not what your brother or anyone else thinks of you. I can see through your bullshit, and I’m not buying it. I’m not going to let you push me away. So please. Just stop.” I suck in a breath as I try to hold back tears now.

“But I don’t deserve you, Presley.” He exhales.

I take his face in both my hands now. “Do you think I would allow someone who didn’t deserve me to tie me up? That I’d trust them with my body like I trust you? Do you think so little ofme?” My words come out angry, but I need him to hear me, to understand.

A sound of protest leaves his mouth. “No, Presley, I fucking love you, I think the world of you, I—” He stops, mouth and eyes wide.

We stare at each other, and my shattered heart begins to mend as his declaration wraps around me like a fierce embrace.

The rough brush of Kade’s thumb against my cheek has me blinking, and I realize I’m crying now. “I didn’t mean to make you cry, Lemon. I shouldn’t have said that—”

“Can you say it again?”

Kade doesn’t hesitate. “I love you.Fuck, I love you, Presley.”

I want to swallow down the sob I feel bubbling out of me, but I can’t contain it. It bursts forth like a dam that’s broken, and my tears fall in earnest now. Kade crushes me to him, and I lay my head down on his chest so my lips are at his neck.

“Nobody has ever said they loved me and meant it before.”

Kade’s lips press to the crown of my head, and the next words that leave his mouth are said with conviction. “I mean it, Presley. I mean it more than I’ve ever meant anything.”

A shiver works its way through my body, and I look up into his eyes.

“You don’t have to say it back,” he adds. I know it’s early, but I wanted—no, Ineeded—to say it.”

More tears spill from me as a gentle smile plays at my lips. “I love you, too, Kade.” My words are as sure and strong as his were so he can hear the truth in them.

The muscles in his throat work as he swallows, fresh tears blurring his awed stare as he tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. I squeeze my arms around his waist.

“You deserve me, Kade. And you deserve to be happy. Whatever it takes, I’m going to make sure you are.”

Kade leans his forehead against mine and continues to hold me. I don’t know how long we stand there, but we take comfort in each other, and I relish in his steady breaths against my cheek.

While I don’t know what the future will bring, I do know one thing: The Montgomery Family Ranch isn’t what makes me feel at home—it’s Kade.

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