Page 59 of My Salvation
Staring down at our linked hands, I see my pale fingers intertwined with his tanned, blunt fingers. Before our last fight, I had been developing feelings for him. Did I still see him in my life? Thinking about the night of the accident, I realize when I saw him in the emergency room, I trusted him. I knew he would be there for me and take care of me. Can I trust him with my heart, though? I don’t know.
“You were an asshole.” His mouth turns down at my words. “I was beginning to have feelings for you before the fight. They’re still there, but I won’t engage in a roller coaster with you. This is your only chance, though. Don’t screw it up.”
As the words process, he starts to smile, then laughs.
Bam! Right to the heart. That damn laugh gets me every time.
Leaning forward, he tilts up my chin to give me a hard, long kiss that is every bit of the inferno it had been that day at the barn.
CHAPTER 28
SHAW
Pulling the truck into the garage, I turn off the ignition and think about our discussion last night. Thank the fuck she’s willing to give me, or us, a chance. After the accident, all I could think about was that I could have lost her before I had a chance to know her and be with her. When I saw her mangled vehicle, I wanted to lock her safely in my house forever.
She had spoken to Lowell and Lev this morning to tell them we have a date planned for this weekend. I know they’ll be waiting for me inside. We’re overdue for a conversation anyway, about this and other things. Picking up my duffle, I head inside.
Lev has breakfast waiting on the table. Lowell strides into the room and sits down, without getting anything to eat. Lev holds off, too. My eyes drift to my eggs with longing before I put down my fork.
“I fucked up. I know.” Not a twitch from either of them. “I apologized for being an asshole to her. Now, I’m apologizing to you both. I’m sorry.” Looking each of them in the eye, I let them see my sincerity. “All I could see when I looked at you two with her was this cloud of rage and fear. When she had her accident, things cleared up real fast for me. There are no guarantees. You take the happiness you can get and hope for the best.” Falling silent, I wait for them either to absolve or punch me.
“Don’t fucking do it again,” Lev growls, standing up to get a plate of food. “I mean it. She won’t give you a second chance. If things don’t work out, you will treat her with respect, regardless. Do you hear me?”
Gritting my teeth, I hate the thought of it not working, but he’s right. “I understand and agree.”
Turning my head to Lowell, I observe the icy look in his eyes. It’s been rare for me to get one of his emotionless looks, but when I do, I know it’s because I deserve it. “I care about her.” He knows that single statement tells me how much he cares about her and warns me against hurting her again.
“While she didn’t say it yet, she loves you both. You give her laughter and hope. And so much more.” I can hear the longing in my voice as I give them her words.
Tension eases out of Lev, and he sits back down. “I love her, man.” He looks directly at me. “I love her more than Vanessa. She makes me feel on top of the world when I’m with her.”
Lowell looks serious as he studies my face. “I didn’t love Vanessa like the rest of you, but I cared about her a lot. Kate, though...I could easily fall in love with her.” A small smile plays on his lips.
We sit in silence for a few minutes, thinking about the past and Kate before I bring up the subject of Thayer. “I’ve got men coming tomorrow to build the ramps for the front and back doors. I’ll need your help to move my furniture upstairs so Thayer can have the downstairs bedroom.”
Lev jumps in. “Wait, let’s move my stuff upstairs. Then you can keep the main master.”
