Page 76 of Guarded from Treachery

Squeezing my hands hard, her words come out in a rush. “I love you, Matt. I know it hasn’t been that long, and this whole thing is complicated, and maybe you don’t feel the same way, but I do. I’veneverfelt like this before. I never knew love could feel like this.”

“Oh, Isles.”

“I tried to love my parents, but they squashed it. And the few people I dated, I never felt a fraction of this. There was affection, but nothing like love. The only person I think I actually love aside from you is Rory, and that’s not the same. But… it’s okay if you don’t?—”

“I do.” It’s fierce. Rough with emotion.

Hope tinges her voice. “You do?”

“I do.” Framing Isla’s face with my hands, I hold her gaze as I say, “I love you. I’ve been wanting to tell you, but… I was afraid of rushing you. Of screwing things up. But I love you so much. I don’t care how long it’s been.” I lean in to kiss her. “I remember hearing someone say, ‘Time is only one measure of how well you know a person.’ And I know you in all the ways that count. I know your heart. Your strength. Your courage.”

Her chin wobbles. “Oh, Matt.”

“And I know you make me happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I’ve experienced love with Levi and my teammates, but the way I feel about you is different. It’s deeper. More intense. All-encompassing. And I would do anything—anything—to make you happy. To protect you. And whatever it takes to be with you, I’ll do it.”

By the time I finish speaking, my ears are hot and my face feels warm. My heart is pounding like I’ve just spent three hours on the treadmill instead of just standing here.

Isla stares at me, emotion working in her eyes. Then she kisses me. “I feel the same, Matt. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work.”

Oh.

This joy.

Our words finally match what’s in our hearts.

“I was thinking,” she starts. “Maybe we could put everything in the fridge and we could eat a little later. What do you think?”

“What do you want to do instead?”

Her gaze shifts in the direction of the bedroom. “Maybe we could celebrate being in love?”

Yes. That sounds perfect.

I scoop Isla off the stool and into my arms. “I think that’s a fantastic idea.”

17

ISLA

I’ve never been woken up like this before.

Feather-light kisses trail along my neck as Matt’s lips brush across my skin, his familiar scent telling me he’s here before I can see him. A hand combs through my hair, gently pushing it back from my face, the touch so achingly tender it makes my heart melt.

His fingers roam to my cheek and then to the line of my jaw, leaving tingles of heat and electricity in their wake. It’s a delicious sensation, both sensual and comforting. I could open my eyes, acknowledge that I’m awake, but I can’t bring myself to interrupt this perfect moment.

There’s just something so special about being cherished like this. In my thirty-three years, no one else ever cared enough to focus all their attention on making me feel good without expecting something in return. Or they didn’t care about how I felt at all.

But with Matt? His love for me is a tangible thing.

It’s gentle caresses and sensual kisses and evenings spent rubbing the knots carefully from my shoulders. It’s his hand resting lightly on my hip or the small of my back. It’s his arm wrapped protectively around me.

And it’s the way he looks at me, all his emotions on full display—trust, affection, love, admiration, and this hint of hopeful wonder, like he still can’t quite believe I’m with him.

I know Matt spent years thinking he didn’t measure up. That he was too nerdy. Too awkward. That people weren’t interested in what he had to say. But that’s so far from the truth, it’s laughable. Matt is the smartest, sweetest, and most interesting person I’ve ever met. And for as long as he’ll let me, I’ll do whatever I can to make sure he knows how incredible he is.

As Matt’s lips press to my forehead, I feel him still for a second. And then, so quietly I almost can’t hear it, he murmurs, “I love you with all my heart, Isles. And little Dove, too.”

Oh.

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