Page 109 of Hold Still

He pulls me tighter, squeezing the air out of my lungs. “Didn’t your therapist tell you that you need to let people in?”

On a hiccup and pressed against his warmth, I respond, “Yes.”

He takes a deep breath and I feel his body shake. “I want to help you. Forever.”

His last word hangs in the air for a second before coating me from head to toe. The graphic of the word melting over me, then locking me in its cocoon dances in my mind’s eye.Forever.“I’d like that. Forever.”

One of his bruised knuckles tips my chin upward, so that we’re looking directly into each other’s souls. “I took care of the second shift nurse, starting tonight.”

I should be outraged at his high-handedness. Or feel like I shirked my duty to Mom. But, I don’t. No, I’m relieved this burden has been lifted and Mom will get better care. I’m also overjoyed that he would do this for me.

“Ozzy. I don’t know what to say, other than thank you. And those words are so inadequate.” Tears cling to my eyelashes.

“You can thank me by staying here overnight. I don’t have a concert tonight.”

Overnight. Without worry about Mom for the first time in over a year. My body begs me to jump into his arms and never let go, yet my head knows we still have one major issue to discuss. I place a kiss on his chest. “Why did you show up to the Big Reveal high, with other women on your arm? You knew how important that night was for me. It was like you were trying to ruin it.”

His hand skims over the stubble on his chin. “Yeah. That.” He steps back. Once. Twice. My body protests the loss. “I saw you.”

My eyebrows form a “V.” “When?”

“I drove to your house after recording with the band”—his eyes light up and dim almost simultaneously—“and when I pulled into the driveway of your house, you were standing in the bay window. In Matt’s arms.”

All the air leaves my lungs. “And you thought I was playing you like Teresa did,” I whisper.

“I should’ve asked you about it. I was going to, but then you texted me and essentially pushed me away.”

His reaction clicks into place for me. “I was afraid Matt was going to hurt you. He saw our photo in the magazine and threatened to kill you.” I take a step toward him but stop. “I should’ve told you, too.”

“I’m not proud of what I did during those times. I performed a concert drunk. I partied. But, I never took anyone to the Penthouse. I couldn’t.”

I process his words. He was faithful to me like he was faithful to his wife—even if he thought I was cheating on him. Yet he’s been so open with me, I need to do the same. “It hurt to see you at the Big Reveal with those two blonde bimbos.” He smiles at my characterization of his dates. “But, you were high. You knew what that would mean to me.”

He nods and drops his head. “I wanted to get back at you and I knew that by hurting myself, I would hurt you. It was stupid, I know.” He raises his head and looks directly at me. “Never again.”

I erase the distance between us. Placing my hand on his chest, I say, “We’ve both done stupid things.” I screw up all my courage. “I’ve lived with feelings of guilt and shame over my bad judgment with Matt, which caused me to shut down. No more. I believe in you. You’re not perfect, but neither am I. But, together we make one hell of an amazing pair.” I blow air through my mouth, causing my bangs to fly upward.

Because I’m touching his chest, I feel his pulse flutter. “I love you, McKenna James.”

My heart spirals out of my chest at his three words. “I love you so much!” I wipe yet another tear from my cheek. “Will you kiss me now?”

“You better believe it.”

His mouth crashes down on mine in a kiss that obliterates every other one I’ve ever had. His hands land on my hips and pull me forward while his lips explore mine. His tongue reaches out to mine and together they dance. Tingles ripple throughout my body, centering in my core. We may not be perfect, but we’re perfect together. I trust him with all of my secrets, and know they’re safe. And I’ll do that for him.

He trails his lips across to my ear. “McKenna, will you stay with me tonight? And every night?”

My muscles go weak. “Yes.”

While I expect him to strip me on the spot, he bends down and picks me up. Walking toward the French doors, he says, “That’s it. You’re mine now.”

“Sounds good to me.” He enters the house and crosses the living room, walking toward the front foyer. “Where are you taking me?”

A smirk crosses his face, marred by damage inflicted by Matt. He’s still the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. “To bed.”

My eyes widen. “I’ve never been to your sanctuary.”

He places his right foot on the first step. “Probably because I had to get inside you so fast that I couldn’t wait to go up the flight of stairs.”

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