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For a long time, she lets me. “What do we do now?”
That’s how I know she’s reached her breaking point. Gwen doesn’t need guidance—or she doesn’t want to accept it. For her to ask for help—from anyone, let alone me—means she doesn’t know what else to do.
I hold her tighter as I ask, “Where did you put the letter? We should look at it again. Maybe there’s something we missed.”
A sigh shudders through her. “In the safe in my closet? Do you really think there could be something there?”
“It’s as good a place to start as any.” Much as I try, I can’t seem to find the willpower in me to let her go. Maybe in a little while. Who the hell am I kidding? Maybe never.
“I’m scared,” she admits, holding on to me a little tighter. “I know I’m not supposed to admit that, but I am. Part of me thought I was going crazy and to have it confirmed is terrifying. How are we going to keep Violet safe?”
My voice is hoarse with emotion, but I fight to steady it. “I know you said you wanted me to stay for a little while, but I don’t plan on leaving any time soon. We’re going to figure this out and you don’t have to worry about Violet. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her—and you—safe.”
She tips her head back to look at me, those lavender eyes gleaming up at me. And it hits me why I love the baby’s name so much—the name reminds me of Gwen’s eyes. “So you’ll be our own personal bodyguard?”
I can’t help it, as my thumb traces the wet trails on her cheeks. “At your service,” I murmur.
She smiles a little, but her eyes are tired and sad. When she shifts away, I have to let her. “Thank you for telling me. There was a time when you would’ve kept stuff like this from me.”
Clearing my throat, I give her a wide smile and attempt humor to diffuse the heat I feel building between us. “That would be before I delivered your baby.”
At this she laughs weakly. “Yeah, I guess that brings down all sorts of barriers, huh?”
She doesn’t know how right she is. There are no more barriers left for me, not when it comes to her. Fuck it. I might as well tell her everything. The worst she could do is brush me off, but if I’m being honest, I may as well be honest about everything. “I guess so. Or at least I hope so. I want to be different for you, Gwen. I hope you know that.”
“You don’t have to be different, Cal. You were always perfect the way you were. When you were around.”
Her eyes are shining and, God, I’ve never wanted her as much as I do right now. Her chest heaves with her quick breaths. She shoots to her feet, eyes darting around nervously. “I’d better check on the baby.”
She may be trying to deny me, but I know her. Probably better than I know myself. The look in her eyes is indisputable. She wants me just as much as I want her, and I’m done letting her pretend like she doesn’t. Before she can rush past me, I snare her wrist with my hand. Getting to my feet, I tug her close to me.
Going forward, all my cards are gonna be on the table. If she’s going to run, she’s going to know exactly what she’s running from. “Don’t.”
She licks her lips, her pulse skittering under my palm. “Don’t what?” she asks breathlessly.
“Don’t run from me.” I pull her closer to me, brushing her hair away from her face with my free hand. She could pull away if she wanted to, with my fingers only lightly shackled around her wrist. But she doesn’t.
She doesn’t.
Satisfaction explodes in my chest. I scour her eyes for a sign: fear, guilt, shame, but I don’t see anything but acceptance. Eagerness. Unable to restrain myself, my eyes go to her lips, still wet from her tongue. At my glance, they part, and she exhales a shaky breath. Now, she’s trembling against me for entirely different reasons.
I could’ve rushed tasting her. God knows I’ve been waiting years to kiss her again. It would’ve satisfied my every need to take as much as possible as quickly as possible.
But I don’t. I take my time threading my hand through her hair, cupping the back of her scalp. As though she’s composed of liquid heat, her head relaxes limply into my hold, softening for me. A hum of approval rumbles in my chest and her eyes go half-lidded.
No, I’m going to take my time with her.
I’ve waited years for this and I’m going to savor it.
When I kiss her, finally,finally, she tastes like vanilla and feels like coming home. When she wraps her arms around my shoulders and her lips part for me, I know that despite everything, this is exactly where I want to be.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
GWEN
Since Violet was born,my whole body has felt out of whack. Pregnancy has changed damn near everything about me, from my mood swings to my taste buds. The one thing that apparently hasn’t changed is my desire for Callum.
His lips slant over mine, warm and full. Knowing. Conquering.
