Page 44 of Forsaking All Others

“I can’t think of anything,” he says, his tone hoarse.

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

“Thank you,” I whisper, swallowing against the lump forming in my throat. His eyes flicker with something I can’t quite place, but it’s something I know I’ve been on the receiving end of a thousand times or more. Releasing my hold on the door handle, I take a step closer to him and continue, “…for staying with us…” My voice fades, choking on the emotions swirling inside me. I glance around him and tip my chin toward the back of the car. That pesky lump returns, but I force the words. “Thank you for treating him no different than if it were Tara or Shep who got sick,” I croak, tears filling my eyes as I stare at him. That electric current that always seems to zing around us whenever we’re together sparks to life and my heart begins to race. A tear slides down my cheek, but I still manage to smile at him. It’s that earth shattering, life altering love. It’s the flames that never die. “Thank you for being you. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Maverick. I know it’s—"

He silences me, pressing a finger to my lips. Those beautiful brown eyes of his lock with mine.

So full of promise.

So full of regret.

But mainly full of love and respect.

“Always here for you, baby,” he rasps. “Anything you need. Any time of day. Til the day I die.”

His finger moves from my mouth and his hand slides to the right, cupping my cheek. I close my eyes and lean into his touch.

Fire.

Pure fire.

There is so much I want to say—so much that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours—but I don’t know where to begin. What’s happening between us—this feeling—it’s a lot. It’s bigger than anything I’ve experienced and that’s pretty crazy because I’ve felt just about everything a woman can feel when it comes to this man.

My eyes slowly flutter open and lock with his.

“Can’t escape it,” he mutters softly, thumbing my cheek. “Tried, Holly. Gave it our best shot, but that’s done now, baby. You and me, we need to talk, not tonight, but soon. Figure this shit out once and for all.”

“Mav—”

He cuts me off, pulling my face to his and touches his forehead to mine.

“Done,” he repeats. “I’m going to follow you home, make sure you and the kids are settled. Then I’ll swing by in the morning and take Tara and Shep to school. If Colt ain’t back by then, I’ll come hang out with Theo—let you get some sleep.”

At the mention of Colt, my body slinks back against the car and I close my eyes. This is the part where I need Maverick to do what he usually does, the part where he disappears or picks a fight with me. Instead, his fingers tighten around my hair and he rubs the tip of his nose against mine.

“Maverick…I…” My voice trails as he slowly detangles his fingers from my hair. Bringing his hand around to my other cheek, he cradles my face.

“In my veins, baby,” he whispers, eyes boring into mine.

Fire.

Two souls.

One flame.

“In yours too,” he continues, tracing my lip with his thumb. His tongue darts out of his mouth and wets his lips. I hold my breath as the vows I took come rushing back.

Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?

I do.

I wrap my fingers around his wrists and hold his hands in place.

“Maverick,” I murmur.

“Can’t have you running on empty, baby. This family—as unconventional as it is—it’s ours and it doesn’t work without you.”

I pull a deep breath into my lungs and lower our joined hands. He’s right, we need to talk. I inch forward and press my lips to his cheek.

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