Page 95 of Erik's Salvation
Her heart thudded. “What’s clear?”
“I was a shattered mess when you met me. I’ve been trying to dull the pain with my job and boxing…but the truth is, it hasn’t helped. I’ve been a mess for eight long years. And somehow, in the span of only a few months, you unbroke me.”
She pressed her hand to his chest, feeling the thuds of his heart against her palm. “Erik…”
“I love you, Hannah Jacobs. And I need you in my life. Not for a moment. Not for now. Forever.”
His words both broke her and pulled her back together. Freed her and caged her…to him. Always to him.
“Love is when a person feels like home,” she whispered. “And you, Erik Hunter, feel like home to me. I love you.”
* * *
Erik closedhis eyes and let Hannah’s words fill him. Drown out every other fucking voice but hers. Kill every emotion that wasn’t love.
Home. He was her home, as she was his. And it was the first fucking home he’d had in so long.
Somewhere along the way, this woman had changed him. Twisted him into something new. Something whole. And he needed that…he neededher.
He lowered his head and touched his lips to hers, letting her softness and goodness fill him. Calm him. Annihilate him. Her lips parted and he tasted her sweetness. It was something he needed with every fiber of his being.
In the kiss, he took and gave everything. Then he lifted her into his arms, wanting her as close as possible. Wanting to feel all of her against him.
She hummed, and when he lifted his mouth and touched his forehead to hers for a second time, they both just breathed and let this moment weave its way inside them.
The single night without her had been the worst kind of hell. Something he never wanted to experience again. And he wouldn’t. He would love this woman and protect her. That was both a promise and a vow.
CHAPTER28
“Why are you staring at me, Angel?”
Crap. She tugged her gaze away. He’d caught her staringagain. To be fair though, he was a lot prettier than the sidewalk in front of her. “Because you’re nice to stare at and I love you.”
His fingers tightened around hers. “I love you too.”
Oh, those words… Over the last week, she’d probably told the man she loved him a dozen times, and he’d said it just as much. And every time, they made her feel the same thing…peace.
They’d barely been apart since that night at Henry’s. In fact, he’d declared himself her unofficial bodyguard, which meant he was with her all the time. Even while she was in her office, he was usually close. He was paranoid about Marco returning. And if she was honest, she was a bit nervous about that too.
For that reason, she’d barely been at the office. And fortunately, Reuben didn’t mind.
“I feel guilty that you’re spending all your time with me.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Don’t. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”
She nodded, not entirely sure she believed him.
When they reached Reuben’s Real Estate, she unlocked the door, and he followed her inside.
“Reuben’s been okay with the locked doors and buzzer system?” Erik asked, following her to her office.
“He’s been great with everything. So much better than I thought. I guess Marco coming in here and threatening me, after those guys had already come looking for James, made him realize we needed some serious security.”
Erik stopped abruptly. “Whatguys came here searching for James?”
Shit. She hadn’t told Erik about them. With everything that happened with Marco that evening, she hadn’t wanted to give him anything else to worry about. She’d told him about James’s disappearance, just not the other part.
She cleared her throat. “The night Marco met me and Reuben at the restaurant, some guys showed up outside as I was leaving the office. They were looking for James.”
