Page 136 of When We Were Reckless
Her eyes widened. “You love me?” she whispered, not quite trusting what she’d heard.
“So fucking much. And I should have realized it sooner. When I went to San Diego, that’s when it hit me. That I loved you. And I should have told you that night. I should have known that you weren’t telling the truth. But even if you had been, it shouldn’t have mattered. Because when you love someone, you should tell them, even if they don’t say it back.”
“You believe that?”
I tucked her hair behind her ears and cradled her beautiful face in my hands. “I do. That’s why I came here today. To tell you that I love you. I just wanted you to know.”
“You drove to L.A. and waited in my dorm room just to tell me that you love me?”
I smiled. “I wanted to tell you a few other things too.”
“Like what?”
“My mom once told me that when a McCallister boy falls in love, it’s for life. When I met Alessia, I thought she was the one. But she wasn’t. She never could have been. Because it was meant to be you all along. But you know, I had to wait until you got your driver’s license and finished high school.”
She laughed and brushed away a few more tears.
“But what my mom never mentioned was that the McCallister boys’ road to true love is never easy. There are a lot of switchbacks and blind turns. A shitload of detours and blocked roads. But eventually, we reach the place where we were meant to be all along. The difficult journey to our end goal only makes the prize that much sweeter.”
“Am I your end goal?”
“You are. And I’m prepared to wait for as long as you need. I’m prepared to make any sacrifice it takes to be with you. Even if it means giving up the traveling circus, I’ll do it. That is… if you feel the same way about me.”
“What if I said I don’t?”
“I’d spend the rest of my life pining for you. You’re worth it, Quinn. You’re worth everything. And I should have told you sooner. I should have told you that you make my world a better place. Your smile… it’s so fucking beautiful.”
I traced her lips with my fingertip. “If I could spend every day waking up to that smile, I’d die a happy man.” I skimmed my fingers over her nose. “I love the eight freckles on your nose. I love the sound of your laughter. The way you sing off-key and get all the words wrong. I love your strength and your bravery, and your eternal optimism. I love the way you light up every room you enter. I love how you go after the things you want in life and how you never give up. I can’t think of anything I don’t love about you. And I don’t deserve you, I know that, but if you give me another chance, I’ll do whatever it takes to be the man you deserve.”
“Jesse. God, that was so beautiful. I’ve always loved you. And I still do. I love you.”
“Thank fuck for that.”
There was nothing left to do except to kiss her. I lifted her right off her feet, and she wrapped her legs around my waist as our mouths collided in a kiss that gave me life.
This was it. It had been Quinn all along. The girl of my dreams.
Epilogue
Jesse
Seven YearsLater
I blink awake before the alarm goes off and look down at Quinn sleeping next to me. She’s on her side with her back to me, blonde hair fanned across the pillow, the sheets pushed down to expose her bare thighs and white lace panties. She’s wearing one of my old T-shirts—the maroon color faded and the cotton soft from so many washings.
Her hand rests on the pillow, the pink diamond and wedding band on her ring finger shimmering. She looks so peaceful, her brow unfurrowed, a tiny smile on her lush pink lips like she’s in the middle of a perfect dream.
My sunshine girl is still a dreamer, spinning tales in her head and putting them down on paper. She still makes wishes on stars, but now she tells me that her wishes come true every day. I do everything in my power to make sure they do.
I hate to wake her, but the urge to touch her is so great that I can’t help myself. My hand coasts over her warm skin, up her thigh, and over the curve of her hip. My dick stiffens when she lets out a breathy little sigh and grinds her ass against my erection.
“Good morning.” My voice is low and rough from sleep.
“Mmm.”
I’ll take that as aYes, I’m up for morning sex.
Encouraged by her response, I slide my hand under her T-shirt and cup her breast in my palm, brushing my thumb over the nipple. It hardens under my touch, and her little sighs shoot straight to my cock.
