Page 140 of Trust In Love (Love Mark 2)

He felt so secure and confident. I wished I had that. It made me wonder if I’d made the right decision to ban my love from him until he gave me his as well. Was I being petty and small, refusing to let him into my heart again because he’d dented my silly pride?

I honestly wasn’t sure what to do, and I hated that.

“Don’t,” he said softly, kissing my temple. “You’re second-guessing yourself, princess. You shouldn’t do that.”

I squinted at him. “And how do you know what I’m feeling?”

He paused, then blinked as if surprised. “Because I just do. Huh. That’s odd, but I can feel you as plain as day, like your emotions are peeling off you and sticking to me.” He pointed to his own temple. “Right here. Oh!” He cocked his head curiously as he watched me. “Now, you’re surprised. Holy shit. I felt that. It’s not just a guess, either, I can actually feel you as if your mood is talking straight into my ear. How spectacular. Is this what it’s been like for you from the beginning?”

“But…” I faltered, confused. “You’re not supposed to be able to read my feelings. You don’t have the mark. It’s not possible.”

“No?” He countered, lifting a challenging eyebrow. “Well, I didn’t think it was possible to bring you back from the dead, either, until I did.”

“My God.” I cupped his face in my hands and looked him straight in the eye. “This is really happening, isn’t it? You feel me. Quick, what are my emotions now?”

“Curiosity and joy,” he answered immediately, then quirked up his lips. “Why do I have a feeling I’m about to become your new, favorite parlor trick?”

I giggled and kissed his lips, loving this, until I remembered—oh yeah. I shouldn’t be experiencing joy with him. I was holding out until he decided to be a proper, equal soul mate who trusted me—one I could trust in return.

Torn, I wanted to forgive and forget our past, while a portion of me told me I would be an utter idiot to do so. The first time, all his betrayals had taken me by surprise. This time, I should know better. It’d be my own fault if he burned me again.

“And we’re back to doubt,” he said sadly, his gaze flickering with regret. “That is your greatest fear, isn’t it, my lady? You fear making the wrong choices.”

I tried to laugh it off. “Doesn’t everyone?” But inside, my nerves tightened with unease. I wasn’t sure if I was comfortable with Farrow discovering this weakness about me.

“Aye, but it runs deeper with you,” he said. “You’ve always been accused of making poor choices because you make up your mind and act so quickly. Even I’m guilty of saying such to you, and it’s made you believe that you must always be wrong. But honestly, I admire how well you know yourself and what you want. You reach for your goals with your whole heart. You believe in things—and people—so strongly. And as long as you’re fully informed of all the consequences, I don’t see why you should have to dawdle and debate with yourself. Being quick to react and decide the next move is a quality of power. Don’t ever fear that.”

Tears filled my eyes and I shook my head. “But I’ve been wrong so often.”

He smiled gently. “Everyone’s been wrong once or twice. Or maybe even a thousand times. We can’t all make the correct choices all the time. It’s just not possible. We all mess up. Something I’m definitely proof of. Worse yet, there isn’t always a definitively correct choice to make. Sometimes, you just have to wade through the ups and downs of your decision and deal with the outcome. Sometimes, you won’t even get to know if you did the wrong thing or not. So you can’t let your fear of your choices consume you. Be at peace with your decision if it feels right in your bones.”

He kissed my forehead softly only to pull away, take my hands, and kiss my knuckles next before looking into my eyes, serious intent in his expression.

“Everything you said to me before, when you left me in chains at that tree, it’s true, you know. I didn’t trust you with myself.”

“Farrow,” I started, my lips parting with awe. Was he finally going to realize what we both needed to do in order to be together? “What’re you saying?”

“I’m saying I wasn’t able to open up and give you all of me before. Because I didn’t know how. You’ve seen my dreams; you know how I was raised, and I saw how you were raised. You had every privilege and convenience a child could get, lavished with love and attention and always shown trust from those closest to you. All you knew was fairness and justice. I did not. No one ever taught me how to love. How to give trust or take it. I needed to learn that from you before I was able.”

He pressed his mouth to mine, then pulled away with a grin full of warmth and devotion. “I’m so sorry it took this lo

ng to get the hang of it, but now…” He practically glowed with joy. I swear, a light seemed to burst through his skin from within. He just looked so happy, it showed all over him. “I know I can give myself to you however you need it. And if you’re ever willing to give me all of you again, you shall finally have all of me in return.”

“In that case,” I clutched his face in my hands. “I’m willing now.”

He blinked in shock. “Nicolette, I—”

“I love you,” I insisted. “These were the words I’ve been waiting for you to say to me since I chained you to the tree.”

“But—”

“Nothing else matters,” I told him. “You have hurt me and lied to me, and I still want you, from here.” Fisting my hand, I pressed it against my stomach. “And here.” My palm moved up to cover my heart. “And here.” Then I pointed to my mark. “The decision was made a long time ago, Farrow, and I haven’t changed my mind. You are my mate. And I choose you completely of my own free will. The rest we’ll work on as we go. Together.”

His mouth moved a few times, words not coming. Then he said, “Are you—are you sure?”

“Yes,” I said. “And I am absolutely at peace with this choice.”

“God, Nic.” A sob filled his throat. “I love you too.”

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