Page 89 of All Her Broken Pieces

The look in her eyes breaks me. I’ve never seen this woman cry, and I swear she’s as close as she gets to it right now. “You’ve been so patient with me.” I give her a moment to collect herself, knowing that this is important for her to get through.

“I haven’t spoken his name in years. I fell in love with the boy I gave my virginity to in high school. He cheated on me, and the worst part is how I found out, from whispers in the hallway, people staring at me as I walked to class, and rumors circulating throughout the whole school. It was humiliating. I know why he chose her over me. I don’t blame him for that. No one ever chooses me. But I couldn’t stay there, so I transferred schools, and I vowed not to let relationships distract me from the goals I wanted to accomplish. He made me feel worthless, so I spent my life proving my value and I never wanted to let anyone in, only to have them strip me of my worth again.”

“Is he the reason for all these walls?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m sorry that my words reminded you of that pain. I won’t call you that again.” I kiss the top of her head as my arms encircle her. She clings to me, and that embrace gives me life. Having this strong woman lean on me and share her pain with me, it’s everything. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“I know you don’t trust easily, and it means everything to me that you trust me with your pain. Your heartache. Your broken pieces don’t scare me, and I’ll collect them all if you allow me into your heart, because I know your worth. You’re priceless, worth more to me than the most precious gemstone, and I promise I’ll take better care of your heart than any man could.”

“What makes you think that?” I see a hint of a smile curl on her lips. There she is. My feisty queen.

“Because I’ve already tamed the most carnal part of you. Now I want the rest of you. I want to be your calm in the storm, like you are for me. You’re my shelter, my safe place, my home.”

“Are you sure you’re only twenty-two? You’re wiser than most people I know who are twice your age.”

“Keep deflecting with humor, and your ass will be sore tomorrow.” I think about turning her cheeks pink with my hand. My cock twitches at the images it conjures in my head.

Her hands move down my back and grip my ass. “Is that a promise?”

“It is, sweetheart.”

“How do you do that? How do you get me to open up? You make me feel things I’ve never felt with anyone before, and I can’t wrap my head around it. You’re so young. I shouldn’t want you like this. I’m old enough to?—”

“Fuck that noise. Seriously, fuck whoever told you that. I don’t care how old you are. This thing between us is real. What I feel for you is real. Okay?”

“I think that I might...” she trails off, and my heart leaps out of my chest. We stand there holding each other for several minutes. Her mouth opens and shuts multiple times as if she’s struggling to find the right words for her confession.

“You might what?”

Be cool, man. Don’t push her too hard on this.Several beats of silence pass between us, and it feels like an eternity as I wait for her confession. Her words linger in the silence between us. I cup her cheeks and stare into her eyes, silently urging her to continue. Letting her know with my eyes that she’s safe.

“I… I think…” I wait several heartbeats to see if she’ll finish her thought.

When it’s clear she won’t continue, I ask, “Do you want to know what I think?”

“What?” I see the brief look of relief in her eyes. This is hard for her.

“I think I’m in deeper than you realize. No, IknowI am. Every day, I fall for you more and more. With each piece of you that you share with me, my attraction grows, my affection magnifies, and my intention intensifies.”

I gauge her reaction to my words. She isn’t pulling away. She isn’t running. She’s standing in front of me, arms around my neck, clinging to me and my words.

“And what are your intentions?”

“To love you more than any man has before. To treat you like a queen and fuck you like the hellcat you are. To help you as you heal, as you grow. To be here when you need me and respect your space when you need distance. I’m not going anywhere. And it’s okay if you aren’t there yet. I’ll be here when you’re ready. I’ll stand in front of you and protect you while fighting your battles. I’ll follow behind you as you kick ass and take names, providing you with the backup you deserve but will refuse.”

She laughs as a tear streaks down her cheek. I move my thumb to swipe it. “Don’t mind that,” she says, tilting her eyes to my tear-soaked thumb. “It’s just the abundance of strength my eyes can no longer contain.”

I kiss her cheek softly. “I love your strength. And I’ll stand beside you as a partner, as your equal, because I fucking love you, Bridget. You’re my partner. In crime. In life. In peace. And I need you to know that.”

More tears spill over her lashes, her blue eyes becoming more vibrant as my palms cup her cheeks.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone or anything more beautiful than you are right now, your strength leaking all over my fingers, your eyes so blue and full of hope. You’re exquisite, and I’ll happily call you mine. Or whatever you allow me.”

“I don’t know when or how you got in. But you’re here.” She moves my hand from her cheek to cover her heart, which is beating wildly in her chest. “In my heart. I know you think I’m not there yet, and while it may have taken me longer to get here, I promise you I’m with you. While my speech may not be as good as yours, I fucking love you too, Ethan.”

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