Page 122 of Legacy of Lies
When he took her hands, the dam burst and she pulled away from him, burying her face in her hands, working to get hold of her emotions. God, she didn’t want him to see her cry. She was stronger than these tears. She could yank off the Band-Aid. Walk away from Garrison, once and for all. She could do this.
Warmth seeped through her sweatshirt into her skin. When she turned her head, she spied his hand resting on her shoulder.
After a few minutes, she wiped her eyes. “So why all the questions? What’s the deal?”
“You’re the deal.” He took her hands again.
“Okay, now you’re talking in riddles.”
“Sara, I don’t need my ability to know that you’ve never lied to me.” He rubbed his thumbs over the backs of her wrists until her skin tingled. “You’re so great for Zach and for me. You’re a light in my darkness. You’re smart and sweet. And you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever known. I will never get enough of you.” He took a deep breath. “But here’s the deal. I wouldn’t blame you if you told me to go to hell for everything I’ve put you through, for the lack of faith I had in you.”
“I would never—”
He slid his finger over her lips, stilling them. “I have some serious baggage, no question. There are major trust issues, and I haven’t had a healthy relationship because of that lack of trust. But I realize that the problem is with me, not with my partner.”
When he tilted her chin up, the focus of his eyes locked onto hers, knocking her equilibrium half a degree off plumb.
Could she do it? Could she believe him? Try again? If she tried, how badly could he hurt her?
Badly.
She stared at him.
Clearing his throat, he said, “You don’t have to agree to forever with me. But I want another chance with you, Sara, if you’ll give it to me. I want the chance to convince you to stay in Copper River.”
“But what about my own baggage?”
“We all have pasts. I couldn’t care less about yours.”
“Really?”
“Really. I care about who you are now. And the woman in front of me is beautiful, intelligent, and hotter than molten lava. If you think that we could have a future together, I want to try. I love you, Sara Lopez.”
Hope swelled inside of her, pushing out the emptiness and doubt. “I don’t want anyone else, Garrison.” She took a big breath. “I love you, too.”
Gesturing around the room, he smiled. “Maybe one day we can fill up those boxes together?”
“Oh.” Her heart flipped. “Yeah, I’d love packing boxes with you.”
She fell into his strong embrace and kissed him, careful to avoid the bruised areas of his mouth and hers.
Based on the intensity of the kiss he returned, cuts and bruises were the last thing on his mind.
When he guided her to the bedroom, she shivered. Apparently, there wasn’t much that bothered him today.
Come to think of it, her bruises didn’t hurt nearly as much, either.
The glint in Garrison’s eyes promised to take away any pain.
And that suited her just fine.
