Page 145 of Need You Now

A rush of love hits her square in the chest. She closes her eyes, overcome by his concern. Overcome by the fierce determination in his voice. A determination to take away her pain. To keep her safe and protected, always.

“Lace?”

“Thank you,” she whispers, opening her eyes and lifting her gaze to his.

Seth tenses and looks away from her. His throat bobs with emotion. “Don’t. Don’t do that.”

She stares up at him, questions rising in her at the haunted look on his face. A look she’s seen before. After Luke and the bar fight. After Colin’s party.

Of course.

He’s blaming himself. She can see Seth’s pain, the hard clench of his body as if to ward off her sympathy completely.

She touches his arm. “It’s not your fault, Seth.”

He looks away at her gentle admonishment, closing his eyes, making a tortured noise in the back of his throat. After a second, he composes his emotions and turns toward her.

“It is.” He reaches for her hand, then hesitates. “I knew Beau was on something and I did shit-all to protect you.” A muscle twitches in his jaw, tears in his eyes. “I let you down, Lacey. And I’m so goddamn sorry.”

“No, you’re wrong,” she says simply. “You saved me, Seth. You came for me. I never would have made it back up on that dock if it weren’t for you.” She swallows and lifts her chin to stare at him. “Everything’s okay. I’m okay.”

“I ain’t okay,” he chokes out. When she reaches to touch his arm, he closes his eyes like it’s too much for him. “What would I have done without you, huh? If I lost you, I never would have forgiven myself.”

He gathers her hand in his. His very touch—warm, steady—has her trembling. Seth kisses her fingers, her wrist where her pulse pumps, her damp brow. “Christ, I would lose my fucking mind if something happened to you.”

Shivering at the savagery in his voice, Lacey sits up and presses a palm against his chest. “I’m here, Seth. I’m here and I’m yours and I love you.”

“I love you,” he says hoarsely, his blue eyes shiny with tears. “I love you so fuckin’ much, Lacey.”

Their gazes lock, hunger, love and loss passing between them, and then Seth’s pulling her into his arms. He holds her tight, his strength like a shield, and kisses her. His lips sweet and hot on hers. Lacey tastes his salty tears and clings to him, determined to savor every moment in this new future she has with Seth.

---