Page 178 of Sin City Lights

He’d never called her that.

Eve’s chest seized, and she lost it.

Great, heaving spasms racked her chest, and she began to cry in earnest, huge sobs that had her shoulders shaking with the force of them. The weeks of longing, the hours of fear and panic, her love for him suddenly ripped her open, and she cried out her relief in his strong arms.

Adam just held her tightly, swaying, cradling the back of her head, pressing her to his chest. She inhaled deeply of his familiar scent, taking him in, unable to get enough.

At last, she took a shuddering breath and rubbed her face into his shirt, now wet with tears. With a sniffle and a deep inhale, she leaned away to cradle his face between her hands.

“I thought I’d lose you. I thought you were going to—” She couldn’t say it.“Oh my God.”

The sight of those deep sapphire eyes brought fresh tears to her own. She sniffed again.

“No way.” He turned his head to kiss her palm.“While I was up there, the only thing I thought of was coming back to you.”

“Adam…” Her love for him stirred powerfully in her entire being, and she slipped her fingers upward, threading them through his damp hair. Again, she kissed him with everything she felt.

He was alive. He was here. She loved him.

Her hands trailed down over his epaulets, then to his upper arms.“I love you,” she whispered against his lips.

His biceps grew rock-hard under her hands. After a beat, he tenderly kissed her forehead.“I love you too.”

She couldn’t believe he’d said it, but he had. Her heart fluttered with elation; her throat pinched with regret.

“I messed up.” She gulped.“I am so sorry.”

His exhale fanned her cheek.“Don’t be sorry.”

“But I—”

“Shh.” He placed his index finger gently on her lips.“I messed up too. We’re even. It’s behind us.”

She sought his gaze, needing the reassurance.

The love shone there; she saw it clearly, and Eve felt such reliefthat she went limp against him.

Now was not the time for discussion. He had to be exhausted.

He took her hand, his warm grip strong and sure.“You’re coming home with me.”

Chapter 25

Adam

“OK, put it in.”

“I don’t think it can last much longer. It’s wilting.”

Eve tipped her head, eyes narrowed.“Twist it.”

Adam rubbed the back of his neck, the sun scorching his damp skin. He was sweaty and grimy and wanted a shower, but the fruit trees needed to be planted. They’d already planted four. Thank God this was the last of them.

He grasped the heavy plastic pot and turned it.

“A little to the left.”

He sighed. And he’d thoughthewas the perfectionist. Positioning the trees had taken far longer than he’d estimated.

---