Page 100 of Inarticulate

“Are you here for me?” he whispered.

He retreated at her silence, his stomach rolling from the weight of the assault. Her pained expression didn’t give him a clue to her answer. It could be yes or no. Hope or defeat. Heaven or more torturous hell.

“Yes,” she murmured. “In my email, I told you I was going to see where the world takes me.” She lowered her gaze. “Apparently, it doesn’t want to take me anywhere without resolving this. I got as far as the airport before I had to turn back.”

Something hard slammed into his chest. Regret, maybe. Or overwhelming optimism. He straightened, needing to see her, all of her, before he could truly believe he had a chance.

She swallowed under his attention, her gorgeousness increasing with the impressive show of vulnerability. “I want to trust your emails, Keenan. Aunt Michelle even tried to convince me of your sincerity, but I need you to look me in the eye and tell me they were truthful.”

His palm itched, his hand rising of its own accord to approach the stray strands of hair framing her gorgeous face. He waited for her to slap his touch away, only to be greeted with a slight tremble of her lips as he gently cupped her cheek. There was never anything more profound or punishing than her fragility in that moment.

She was pliable under his touch. Broken under his attention.

“Truth,” he mouthed with solemn conviction.

A lone tear ran down her cheek. He couldn’t stand it, couldn’t protect himself against the miniscule amount of liquid that inspired nausea and almost brought him to his knees. The evidence of her pain hit his thumb, landing a punishing blow with such sweet efficiency.

He was so sorry—for the lies, for the betrayal, for the weakness. He didn’t want to hold back anymore. He needed her to see everything, to cast her gaze upon him with unfettered scrutiny and see everything he’d hidden.

“I wish I didn’t believe you.”

A shuddering breath left her lips and he leaned into it, sucking it into his lungs as he rested his forehead against hers. He stared into eyes that spoke to him on every level, and failed at holding in a tremble when she placed her gloved palm around his neck, holding him close.

Her touch burned him, even through her glove. Everything she did marked him. Scarred him. He inched closer, brushing their noses briefly, still waiting for her rejection as his mouth brushed hers. There was nothing more life changing than that kiss. His world shifted, his focus for the future narrowed entirely on one person. One remarkable woman.

His love was etched into every movement of his lips, into the glide of his tongue and the delicate sweep of his thumb over her cheek. He told her he adored her with every beat of his heart and the way he pulled their bodies close with his free arm, hugging her.

When they broke apart, she blinked back at him, her meaningful expression softening in what he hoped was reflected affection.

“I need you to promise me one thing.”

He nodded, willing to give up his soul if she asked.

“I want you to trust me. Maybe not right away…but soon. I need your trust really soon.”

“I will.” He nodded again, over and over. “I do.”

Her brows drew close, her gaze searching for the truth. He was sure she could see it laid bare for her to take. Nobody knew him like she did. Even through the deception, she still held more of him than anyone else ever had.

“Okay.” Tentatively, she buried her face in his neck, the action filled with nervous apprehension. “I feel like such an idiot for falling for you, Keenan. But I did. I love you, no matter how hard it is to admit.”

He stiffened, every inch of him taut. He’d heard the declaration before, from numerous women. Never from her. Never when the meaning laid a lifetime of happiness at his feet.

She’d broken him with three words.

Three syllables.

He pressed her back into the balustrade and rested his hips against hers. “I promise you the world,” he whispered.

She pulled away, frowning. “Your exaggeration doesn’t fill me with comfort, Keenan.”

“I promise youmyworld,” he clarified, hoping his almost silent tone didn’t lack persuasion. “I’ll give it all. I’ll give anything.ThatI promise.” It wasn’t an exaggeration. It wasn’t a lie. He was done with hiding from her. Finished with protecting himself at her expense. His life was hers to take, and with it came his secrets and his vulnerabilities.

“Thank you.” A smile nudged her lips, her restrained happiness sinking into his lungs.

He entwined their fingers and held them to his chest, hoping to reiterate his vow, not only to her, but to the Augustines who he knew were spying on them from one point or another in the house.

“They’re watching aren’t they?” she asked, reading his mind.

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