Page 49 of Unexpected Heroine

But no, I don’t want her to see it.

Not until I know that it won’t upset her.

“Sugar, we don’t know what it is. I’m going to check it out before I show it to you.”

Her vision darts across the room. Although she nods her approval, she steps backward and wraps her hands around her waist. “Where should I go while you do that? I think I’ve had enough alone time today.”

“How about you sit in the kitchen, and I’ll be here in the living room?”

She glances toward the kitchen. “As long as I can see you, I’ll be fine.” Straightening her spine, she raises her chin, attempting to project confidence that I know is shaky at best. “After all, I can’t be your shadow forever. Some distance would be good.”

Distance? That’s the last thing she needs right now.

Or is it? Is this one of those times where I should trust her judgment? Probably.

Seeming to grow sure of her decision, she relaxes her face into a gradual smile.

Drawn to touch her, I run the back of my knuckles along her cheek and down the side of her neck, taking care not to aggravate her injuries.

Same as every time since I carried her out of that house, I’m struck with conflicting emotions as my vision cascades over her beautiful face, still marred with the evidence of her suffering. The first is a powerful craving for vengeance. The other is an overwhelming sense of relief that she’s here with me, safe and healing.

And she’s still mine.

Lowering my lips to hers, I savor her sweet kiss. When our mouths converge, a soothing balm flutters over my skin, warming it like it’s bathed in pure sunshine.

Because that’s what Lettie is.

My heart swells, pressing against my rib cage and making my breath hitch.

I wish I knew words beautiful enough to greet her ears. I wish I had thoughts worthy of expressing what she means to me, how she’s changed me, and how I want to be a better man for her.

For the longest time, I’ve been waiting until she knew my real name before telling her that I loved her. After almost losing her, that no longer seems like a valid reason to hold back.

Now, something else stops me—she won’t believe me.

I know Lettie. She’ll think I’m only saying it because of what happened to her. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Even still, saying I love you isn’t nearly enough.

Love is said to come and go. It fades over time. What may begin as an all-consuming need that you think will last forever can be tarnished in an instant. One single act can strip away feelings you thought occupied every cell of your body.

If love can shatter so easily, then what I feel for her is not love.

It’s more.

Because there’s nothing she could ever think, do, or say to remove the imprint she’s made on my soul. Even if she hurt me the way that I will surely hurt her, she would still own my heart.

I could never feel anything less than utter adoration and wholeness being in her presence.

Never.

I break the kiss gradually, scanning every inch of her beautiful face. Although she’s told me she loves me—and I believe she does—I doubt her love for me could carry the weight of my sins. As pure-hearted as she may be, no one could love me enough to forgive all that.

No one will ever love you, boy.

Hell, it’s a miracle she’s come this far without growing tired of me or becoming disgusted with my presence.

Sadly, miracles like Lettie loving me have an expiration date. And I know my truth—or should I say my lies—will erode every fiber of that love.

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