Page 67 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

“Honestly, you’ve done more than enough. Thank you for not thinking I’m a crazy person.”

“Oh, no. I totally think you’re a crazy person. I’ve known for a long time that you’re a crazy person. But I love you.”

Wait.

What?

Did he really just tell me he loves me for the first time?

I spin around and look up into his crystal blue eyes. “Do you . . . mean that?” I hesitate.

“Of course. I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t. I’ve known for a while now.”

“But are you serious?”

He takes a step back and puts his hands on my shoulders, his expression serious as he stares deep into my soul. “Yes. I mean every single word. Iloveyou.”

I melt at his declaration.

Arden loves me.

I’ve loved him for months now.

But I couldn’t bring myself to say it because . . . what if?

What if what I was feeling wasn’t real, due to how our relationship started?

Looking back at him now, I know that’s not true.

I know that it’s real.

I am so glad that Arden didn’t give up on us when he got back from rehab.

I let my walls down completely.

I show him everything.

All the emotions.

All the hurt and sadness.

Everything comes pouring out of me.

“I love you too.”

He doesn’t answer me with a response. His lips smash down on mine and he takes my breath away.

I give back just as much as he’s taking. Deepening the kiss, I pull him closer, showing him just how much I love him.

I can’t believe that this is real, that this is my life, and this guy loves me.

I lose myself in the moment, pushing my grief aside and letting my other feelings take over.

I give myself to Arden.

Allowing him control is what he likes, and I enjoy being able to do that for him.

In the bedroom, that is. In life, I’ll still challenge him, but when we’re like this, Arden can have his way with me.

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