Page 77 of Never Give Up

“You don’t meanthat. I love you, and I know you love me. It’s why you’re here. Why you never left, and why even when I hurt you, you were still there. It’s why you watch the boys while they sleep, just to make sure that they’re safe.”

“Brian, you don’t want me for the long haul. I’m damaged.” Her breath catches in her throat.

“Maya, I do want you.”

“I can’t have kids, I—”

“I don’t care if you can’t have kids. I don’t care about anything but you. If you want more, we can adopt. If not, I have a family I can offer. I love you. The boys love you. I couldn’t ask for a better person to live my life with and to share the things that are important to me. You are part of me. And one day, you’ll stop doubting it. But until then, I’ll be here to tell you so every day.”

She looks into my eyes, and there’s nothing in them but love. No flicker of doubt, no thought of anything else.

My blue eyes, the same ones that have been filled with regret so long ago as I told her we couldn’t ever be, drink her in like she’s the center of my universe.

Because she is.

“So. Fucking. Perfect.”

I can’t help it. I kiss her.

“Brian, I’m not perfect.”

“You’re perfect to me. And that’s all that matters.”

I don’t let her say another word. I pick her up and smile as she wraps her legs around my waist. Then I carry her into the house.

Through the kitchen, ignoring the jokes from Jake and the laughter from the boys, I take her to our room. Because it is. It’s our room now.

Once we’re there, I set her down on the edge of the bed and move my hands to either side of her head and pull her to me. I lower my head and gently press my lips to hers. Slowly, the kiss deepens. It stokes the flame that is burning inside her.

I move my hands from her head down to her hips, and she can feel that the same fire burns in my veins.

“I want you naked. Now, Maya.”

She laughs and starts to take off her clothes.

“No.”

I stop her and slowly undress her. Bit by bit, piece by piece until she’s naked before me. And I look at her like she’s a goddess I want to worship.

I start to kiss her all over.

“Hey. No fair,” she says.

“Oh, I don’t plan on being fair.” I pull her to the bed.

I nip her shoulder before moving my hands down over her breasts and then her stomach, until finally lower as I tease the apex at her thighs.

“Brian, I want you,” she whispers.

Shimmying her body, she tries to get me to touch her more, but I keep up that light, teasing caress.

“Not good enough, baby.” I smile down at her and continue my delicious brand of torture.

“I need you?” she asks, her breath starting to come in shallow wisps.

“Still not good enough, love.” I stop caressing her and move down her body with my mouth, kissing her in various places but not touching where she needs me to touch her.

She knows what I want to hear, and it’s time she gives it to me. “I love you.”

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