Chapter 54 (1/2)
“We are,” I repeat and return her smile. “I love you, though. More than anyone ever could, and I swear I will spend the rest of my life making this up to you if you just let me.”
I hope she can hear the rawness in my voice, how badly I want her forgiveness. I need it—I need her like I’ve never needed anything before, and I know she loves me. She wouldn’t be here if she didn’t, though I can’t believe I just said “the rest of my life”—that might freak her out.
When she doesn’t say anything else, my heart breaks. And just before I feel more tears coming, I whisper, “I’m so sorry, Tessa . . . I love you so much—”
She catches me completely off guard when she darts across the space between us and climbs onto my lap. I bring my hands to her beautiful face, and she takes a deep breath, leaning her cheek into the palm of my hand.
She looks up at me. “I need it to be on my terms. I won’t be able to make it through another heartbreak.”
“Whatever it takes. I just want to be with you,” I tell her.
“We have to take it slow, I shouldn’t be doing this at all . . . If you hurt me again, I’ll never forgive you, ever,” she threatens.
“I won’t. I swear it.” I’d rather die than hurt her again. I still can’t believe she’s giving me another chance.
“I really have missed you so much, Hardin.”
Her eyes close and I want to kiss her, I want to feel her lips hot against mine, but she just told me she wants to take it slow. “I missed you, too.”
She rests her forehead against mine and I let out a breath that I didn’t know I was holding. “We’re really doing this, then?” I ask, trying not to sound as desperately relieved as I feel.
She sits up and I look into her eyes. The eyes that have haunted me every time I close my own for the last week. She smiles and nods her head. “Yeah . . . I guess we are.”
My arms wrap around her waist and she leans into me once more. “Kiss me?” I practically beg.
She doesn’t try to hide her amusement as she touches my forehead, brushing my hair back. God, I love when she does that.
“Please?” I say.
And she silences me by pressing her lips against mine.
Chapter thirty-four
TESSA