I'm scared that if we have this discussion I could end up losing him and that frightens me. I have fallen so deeply in love with him that if something was to go wrong, I'd be devastated to lose him. But we do need to speak, and it's going to be uncomfortable.
The rest of the car ride is silent, but Knox keeps his hand in mine, not letting me go. I adore that he's giving me space, but silently letting me know that he's here for me.
"Okay, baby, you've got to let me know what's going on? You've been so withdrawn since this afternoon. Has someone said anything to you?" The anger in his voice would make me smile if it were under any other circumstance. He's showing me that he cares and I have no doubt had someone said something, Knox would fire them in an instant.
"We need to talk," I say softly, as I reach for his hand once we’re inside of the house. His jaw clenches, and his eyes flash with worry. "I'm so scared of losing you Knox, that I've dreaded having this conversation, but it needs to be said."
"I have a feeling that I know what it's about. Donna," his voice is rough when he says my mom's name.
I nod. "Yeah," I say softly. "I can see how much you care for me, you've changed your lifestyle. You're no longer the workaholic, you're smiling more, and you're laughing. It's different than I remember."
He moves toward me and pulls me into his arms. "What's wrong with that? I'm fucking happy, Daisy, I want to be with you, I want to get to know you, find out what makes you tick and what doesn't."
I sink into his embrace. "I love that you want that. I'm just wracked with guilt. Mom loved you, Knox, she really did and I can see that you did love her in your own way, but not like you love me, and that hurts me. I hate that I've taken you from her."
"It's not a competition, baby," he says as he presses a kiss to my forehead. "I did love your mom, and you're right it was nothing like I love you, but she was my wife, and I'm grateful for the time we spent together. Would your mom be happy that we're together? Probably not, but sometimes we find love in the strangest of places and baby girl, I found my fucking soulmate with you."
Tears burn in my eyes. "God, Knox," I breathe. "That's probably the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me."
He grins at me. "Well brace, baby, 'cos I'm about to get sweeter."
I blink up at him, wondering how he could make that any better. It was beyond the most perfect thing I have ever heard.
"I love you, Daisy. I love everything about you. I finally realized that you were the one for me, and when I did, it was as though my world had tilted on its axis. I knew that you were special, but fuck, nothing could have prepared me for all that is you. I fucking love you, baby."
I blink back the tears, my heart pounding as I stare at the man that has just bared his soul to me, and I wonder how thehell I got so lucky, how did I manage to find a man that loves me the way he does.
"God, Knox," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "You sure know how to make a girl feel special."
He raises a brow. "Baby, you're killing me here."
I smile. "I love you," I say, glad that he has already spoken the words, I'd feel so vulnerable if he hadn't. "I love you so very much. You have no idea how special you make me feel. I have found the man that I want to spend the rest of my life with." I'm not stupid, he's been married, and it may not be what he wants to do again, and I'm okay with that, as long as I'm with Knox, I know that I'll be happy—with or without a ring.
"Thank fuck," he breathes, his hand sliding into my hair, and he tugs me forward, his lips slant against mine, and he kisses me. All the oxygen leaves my lungs in one breath and I cling to the man I love as I try to keep on my feet. "Going to fuck you now, baby."
I shake my head. "You can't," I say breathlessly. "We have to go to your parents."
He chuckles. "They can wait. You think for one second that my woman tells me she loves me for the first time that I'm not going to fuck her thoroughly?"
I look up at him, his eyes are shiny and bright with happiness, and he looks so much younger than ever. I can't believe how lucky I am right now. How the hell did I manage to get here? "Fine," I say, trying to hide the smile. "But it's got to be quick, I don't want to disappoint your parents."
He gives me a get real look. "When have we ever been quick?"
I shake my head and laugh, but my laughter is silenced as he presses his mouth to mine. His kiss is deep and passionate, making my toes curl into the carpet. His fingers trail over my spine, resting on the globes of my ass, and I hate the barrier of my skirt between us. I cling to him, loving the way he holds me.He sweeps his tongue into my mouth, and I release a whimper. His fingers go to the zipper of my skirt, and I shimmy out of it, his eyes heat as he stares at my legs that are covered in stockings.
"So fucking beautiful," he growls. "All mine."
He's such a cave man, but I love it really. I love how possessive he is.
He tugs at my blouse, and the buttons fly everywhere. "Knox!" I cry, pissed that he's ruined my favorite blouse.
"I'll buy you a new one, fuck, I'll buy you a dozen of them," he says thickly. "Fuck, how do you get more beautiful every time I see you?"
"You're delusional, Knox," I say, unable to hide my smile. I love that he thinks that. "I can't hold back any longer." He lifts me into his arms, and my legs automatically wrap around his waist. He slants his lips against mine and walks us to the bedroom. I cling to him for dear life, praying that he doesn't drop me, but knowing that I'm safe in his arms.
Our mouths don’t detach until we’re in the bedroom, and he lowers me onto my feet. “Strip out of your panties and bra."
I shiver at his tone of voice, that rumble he has causes goosebumps to form throughout my body. I strip out of my underwear as he undresses. It's still hard to believe that we're here, that we're in love. We're in the honeymoon phase, and I'm praying that it never ends.