Page 113 of Live for Me

“Forgive me.”

Kiss.

“My precious Abbie.”

Kiss.

“My love.”

Kiss.

“Please forgive me.”

His name came from my lips, breathless. There was nothing to forgive. My eyes closed as he brought his mouth back up to my face, taking his time, peppering kisses over every inch. My chin. My lips. Each corner of my mouth. My nose. My cheeks. My eyelids. My temples. My forehead.

“I love you,” I croaked when he was done.

Before I knew it, my head was on his shoulder, his hand on the back of my head, those strong fingers weaving into my hair. I snaked my arms up, locking them around his neck.

Neither of us said anything for a long time, and after a while, he eventually started swaying.

Back and forth.

Side to side.

Back and forth.

Side to side.

Inside the house, I heard the twins yelling, Denver telling them to shut up. I saw Valerie in the living room window, smiling up at her stepson as he kissed his little sister on the nose. I saw Harmony come in, Mason on her heels. Through the screen door, I saw Jigs reaching for his hat on the wall and slowly placing it on his head, looking at Denver, who was standing in the kitchen.

“I’m sorry for hurting you, Beau,” I whispered. “But I’m not sorry for protecting Hallow Ranch.”

He pulled me back, studying me.

“I’m not sorry for protecting you,” I rasped, my hands falling to his chest, the steady beat of his heart grounding me. He would never know how much he meant to me, how much that littleorgan meant to me. Each beat was precious, a blessing. “I hope you can forgive me for the pain I’ve caused.”

“Told you not to apologize anymore,” he said.

“Then what do you want me to do?”

I had to do something.

“Love me, Wildflower. That’s all you gotta do.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Beau

The Next Day. Hallow Ranch.

“Fucking hell,” Lance groaned, dropping his head back, letting the sun hit his face. “Why is it so hot?”

“Because it’s summer, dip-shit,” his brother deadpanned, untying his horse from the post, giving her a few pats on her neck.

Lance’s head snapped over to him.

We’d been out here all morning, working on this section of the fence. I didn’t have to be out here; Denver had given me the option to stay home, but I couldn’t. I’d drive myself mad in that cabin, given that Abbie would be with Valerie and Harmony for the day. At first, I was against it, but as much as the caveman inside me wanted to lock Abbie in our cabin for the rest of her days to keep her safe, I couldn’t do that.

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