Page 52 of Erik's Redemption
He reached over and opened the glove box, and she couldn’t stop the grin. He’d started stashing food in there months ago but had clearly topped up in the last few weeks. Hell, he even had small single-serve boxes of cereal.
She pulled out a bag of chips, offering him one, but he shook his head. He looked tense.
“I’m sorry I disturbed your night,” she offered quietly.
“You didn’t. I always want you to call if you need me.”
The rhythm of her heart picked up again.
He shot her a glance. “Were you at Tatum’s with Henry and Brigid?”
Her lips twitched. He knew her so well. “Yeah. Leo showed up and had a drink with us too.”
She regretted her words immediately. They’d just fallen from her lips without thinking. The muscles in his arms flexed, and his jaw grew harder. She’d told him so many times they were just friends and coworkers, but there was something about the guy Erik didn’t like.
When he reached their street, he pulled down her drive instead of his.
“I’ll walk you in.”
She didn’t have a chance to say he didn’t need to do that, because he was already out. And the second she was standing, his hand on her back again, she couldn’t have told him no if she wanted to. His touch felt too good.
Her hands were unsteady as she unlocked the door and stepped inside. She dropped her bag onto the side table andturned, looking up, way up, into Erik’s beautiful hazel eyes. “Thank you for saving me tonight.”
“You never have to thank me for that. It’s my job.”
“I’ve missed you.” The words slipped out before she could stop them, the little truth tumbling from her heart.
“There are no words for what I’ve been feeling without you by my side.” He stepped closer, the warmth of his body radiating into her.
He dipped his head, and for a moment, she thought he might kiss her, but instead his lips brushed her ear. “You’re my heart. My soul. My breath. And when you’re away from me, I have nothing.”
His words stole every breath she tried to suck into her chest. Every feeling other than her ache for him.
She reached up and cupped his face. “Erik…”
A slow kiss touched her cheek. Then another. Every touch of lips to skin made another piece of her heart slot back into place.
He lifted his head and pressed his forehead to hers. “I love you, Angel. I’ll always love you. Even if you push me away. Even if you hate me. My love for you will burn until the day I die.”
“I could never hate you. That would be like hating a part of myself.”
The good part. The part that gave her breath and life.
Slowly, his head lowered, and the moment their lips touched, she was lost.
The kiss wasn’t rushed or desperate. It was slow and familiar…it was love.
When her lips parted, he slipped his tongue inside, and she tasted him. Home. The kiss felt like home. It touched her heart. Her soul. Soaked into the little crevices of her chest that had hollowed at their separation.
The kiss was healing, and at this moment, she felt okay for the first time in weeks.
When their mouths separated, it was too soon. She needed more. More of the comfort. The love. More of him.
He touched his forehead to hers again and whispered, “I’ll give you a million breaths and a million heartbeats apart if that’s what you need. But know that I will be here, waiting for you. Waiting for us. Always.”
CHAPTER 18
“Son, I can do that.”
