Page 75 of The Promises We Broke
"Billie," he murmured against my mouth.
"I know," I breathed. "Too fast."
"Too fast," he agreed, but he didn't step away. Instead, he rested his forehead against mine again, both of us breathing hard.
"This is going to kill me," he said with a shaky laugh.
"Good," I said, making him laugh harder. "Suffering builds character."
"I have plenty of character, thanks."
"You can always use more."
He kissed me again, softer this time but no less devastating, then forced himself to step back.
"I should go," he said, and I could see the effort it took him to say it.
"You should," I agreed, making no move to walk him to the door.
"Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless you want me to stay," he said quietly. "Just to sleep. Just to hold you."
The offer was tempting, so tempting. The thought of falling asleep in his arms, of waking up to his face on my pillow, made my knees weak.
"Ask me again in a few weeks," I said finally.
"A few weeks?"
"When I'm sure I won't regret it in the morning."
Understanding dawned in his eyes, followed by respect and something that looked like love.
"A few weeks," he agreed. "But Billie?"
"Yeah?"
"When you're ready, when you're sure, I want you to know that staying won't be about sex. It'll be about not wanting to spend another night away from you."
The honesty in his voice made my chest tight. "I know."
"Good." He kissed my forehead, soft and sweet. "I'll call you tomorrow?"
"I'll be waiting."
After he left, I curled up on my couch with the lingering scent of his cologne and the taste of him still on my lips. The house felt different somehow. Warmer, more alive, full of possibility, and yet a little less like mine. It felt more temporary now that I could see all the things the future could hold.
For the first time, I was falling in love with Gage Farrington. And this time, I was brave enough to let it happen.
Chapter 27
Gage
Ifound myself at Bullet's pasture before dawn again, but this time it wasn't because I couldn't sleep. It was because I had so much nervous energy I didn't know what to do with it, and the therapy horse had become my most reliable confidant.
"So here's the thing," I said, settling cross-legged in the grass while Bullet grazed nearby. "I told her I loved her."
