Page 144 of Sassy Love
One syllable.
A whole shit ton of weight dragging it to places in my heart that shouldn’t exist. We push through the door, and Lawson walks the three flights of stairs, refusing my requests to let me walk to save his efforts.
“Not a chance,” he growls.
We reach his apartment, and he nods to the door. “Key’s in my inside pocket.”
I slide a hand into his jacket, the warmth sending a buzz through my fingertips. Probably from going from being so cold to his heat...
I slip my fingers inside the pocket and produce his keys. He steps forward, and I insert the key in the lock and turn it. With a click, the door unlocks and opens. I retract the key as he kicks the door open. I chuckle.That’s my cowboy.
After spending time with his family, I know now just how grounded, how rugged and real they are. But the one thing that outshines all that is their devotion to each other. It’s fucking humbling.
It’s a reminder of what I grew up without.
I yawn again, and Lawson kicks the door shut. “Bedtime, baby.”
“Hmmm. I could sleep for a week.”
“I’d let you. If I had the choice, we wouldn’t leave my bed for weeks.”
“You’d stay with me through the messy bits, wouldn’t you, Laws?”
“Yes ma’am.”
My heart actually melts in its boned cage, the liquid remnants seeping through. Yes, for this man, I want to try to do this thing that’s taken on a life of its own.
I couldn’t not, even if I wanted to.
Because I am irrevocably and entirely in love with Lawson Rawlins.
Fuck.
He presses a kiss to my forehead and whispers, “I love you, Carlie.”
Four words.
Just four... and they send me into a panic.
What if I screw this up?
I search his gaze, the way he looks at me like I’m the most precious thing he’s ever known. He’s literally handing over his heart.
To me . . .
What if—oh god?—
Double fuck.
Chapter 36
LAWSON
The park’s dappled sunlight hovers as the trees overhead sway with the midday breeze. Carlie is lying beside me, her head on my arm, the both of us tucked under a fleecy throw and lying on the picnic blanket. Her eyes are closed as the folk of New York enjoy Central Park’s relaxed Sunday hours.
A lazy Sunday in Central Park.
A well-earned one. Our food gone, we doze in the sun.
