Page 84 of Complete Me
“Fuck off, Rogue. Get her home, be ready. The battles have been one thing, but it’s time for war. I want them obliterated from Earth.”
I nod my agreement and turn to leave, walking away with nerves heavy in each step that leads me closer to Kinsey. Would she let me make her my old lady? Would she want that? How the hell is she going to react when I take her home?
Kinsey’s pretty blue eyes light up as I enter the room, her face brightening into a smile that steals the breath from my lungs.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
“Are you okay?”
Jesus. Not any of the other thousands of questions shecould have asked: what happened? What did he want? No, her first thought was to check on me. I don’t deserve this perfect woman. After everything she’s been through, she’s still such a bright light . . . my beacon.
“I’m with you, of course I’m okay.”
“Good. That’s all I care about.”
“Baby, you aren’t going to ask me what he wanted?”
She looks up at me, all bright blue eyes and innocent face, and purses her lips. “If it was any of my business, or you wanted me to know, you’d tell me. I’m never going to pry information from you, Reid. You’re allowed your privacy. I’ve always known you to keep things close to you, you’re the silent type, and I love that about you. I’m here when you’re ready to talk, and I know you believe I’m strong enough to handle whatever you need to lean on me for.”
“Sweetheart, you are so goddamn perfect. I swear I was wandering around in the dark, waiting for you to show up.”
“You would have found your way out without me, Reid. I wish you could see yourself the way I do. Selfless, loyal, loving . . . the most caring man I’ve ever met in my life. Your innate ability to know what people need before they do, the way you would do anything for someone who needed help. You are not gloom and darkness, youarelight. Your heartbreak just kept you from seeing it.”
I drop down to my knees in front of her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pressing my forehead to her chest.
“We have to go back to Aspen Ridge.”
“I know. When?”
“Tomorrow morning. I’m not ready to give you up yet.”
I feel her shoulders sag, and I regret my word choice immediately. I don’t want to share her.
“I’ve enjoyed this while we had it, Reid. You’ve given me such a gift, you’ve healed me and given me so much hope.”
I sit back quickly to see her face, not liking the sound of that at all.
“Sweetheart, why the hell does that sound like a goodbye?”
“Everything will change once we’re back in Aspen Ridge. We both know that. I don’t want to leave this experience on bad terms.”
Fuck, she really doesn’t get it. She really expects me to walk away from her like every other dipshit man she’s had in the past. I could kill those brothers of hers for making her feel this way. I love them like they’re my own family, and after everything I went through with Lena, I’ve always related to how controlling and protective they’ve been of her.
But Kinsey is strong as shit and she can handle herself. She needs someone who will fight for her, but more than that? She needs someone who believes in her ability and worth and stands behind her while she fights for herself.
The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt Sawyer, but Kinsey is the love of my life, and I’m going to always put her first. The rest is in Sawyer’s court. I thread my fingers through her hair, pushing the silky strands out of her face before cupping her cheeks to rest in the palms of my hands. I angle her head back so she’s forced to look up at me, her beautiful blues meeting mine.
“You’re everything, Kinsey. Here in this room? At this club? You’re mine. Yeah, I’m fucking terrified of what will happen when we return to Aspen Ridge, but don’t you dare think for one moment that I’m not keeping you when we leave here. Everything will be different when we return, except for us. You’re my ride or die, little fighter. I want you in my life, on the back of my bike, in my shop, my house, in my bed, here or Aspen Ridge . . .”
“Reid, don’tsay?—”
“You’re mine, Kinsey. And I’m yours. I love you. Nothing is changing. Do you understand?”
“You have no idea how badly I want to believe you because I love you, too. So fucking much.”
“I’ll prove it to you. You’re my woman. My life starts and ends with you.”
CHAPTER 23
