Page 119 of Illicit

“I love you.”

I suck in a small breath.

His gaze washes over my face before it catches my eyes and stays there. “I think I’ve always loved you in some way. When the agents brought me into the family, everyone accepted me. But they did it because they’re good people, and because they felt sorry for me. But you were different. You didn’t feel sorry for me—you just accepted me.”

I bring my fingers up to trace his jawline. “You intrigued me in a way no one ever has. I didn’t know anyone like you. And you were always nice to me.”

He shakes his head. “You were Tim and Annette’s daughter. I had to be nice to you.”

I nudge him with my toes. “You just told me you loved me, and you’re going to ruin that by telling me you had to be nice to me?”

He smirks.

“But you were nice to everyone.”

“Now who’s ruining the moment?” he teases.

“You love me.” I try the words out for the very first time. “Rocco Monroe loves me.”

He kisses me, slow and soft. “And I’ll follow you anywhere. Letting you go is not an option. I don’t care what the agents say, what Sammie thinks, and especially your parents. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’ll make sure you’re nothing but happy.”

Tears pool in my eyes. “I can’t remember not loving you. Even when I tried to hate you, I loved you. Trying to hate you was the worst feeling in the world.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I needed time.” He tucks his arm under me and rolls. I’m on top and his hands go straight to my ass. “Reconciling the idea of you like this compared to the awkward, lanky girl who grew up across the hall was a lot. I am not some creepy-ass old man, and that’s how I felt. But once the idea was planted, there was no looking back.”

I smile through my tears. “Can we not talk about moving or following each other? I wish we were back in New Orleans or Mississippi. There’s too much going on here. I just want a minute to enjoy this. You love me.”

He leans up and presses his lips to mine. “And you don’t hate me.”

I shake my head. “I could never. And, trust me, I tried. It wouldn’t stick when it comes to you.”

He puts a hand on the back of my head and tucks me into his broad chest. He’s warm and comfortable. The idea that this is my life—my forever—is overwhelming.

“Let’s just hope Tim and Annette don’t hate me.”

I smile against his chest. “I don’t care what they think.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” he mutters. “By the way, while you were sleeping, I got a text from the guys. They all know. No one in this family can keep a secret. That means everyone knows but your parents. We need to get in front of that before it blows up in our faces.”

“I’m glad they know. And I thought you were going to give me a minute to enjoy this. Can we please not talk about my parents while we’re naked?”

He sighs. The way he pulls his fingers through my hair is so soothing, I might go back to sleep.

“One more thing,” he adds.

I yawn. “As long as you don’t mention Tim and Annette.”

“I have a meeting tomorrow morning with the CIA. Since you’re the mastermind who connected Robichaux to a worldwide drug distributor and human trafficking ring, you’re expected to be there.”

Rocco barely filled me in on the way home about the Hayes case. We were too distracted by running into Evie, he didn’t give me all the details.

I push up on a forearm to look down at him. “They want me there?”

“Yep. And your dad and all the guys will be there too. So, you know, it should be fun,” he deadpans.

I lower myself back to his chest and settle in. “I refuse to think about that until tomorrow.”

“Avoidance,” he mutters. “Not the strategy I’d recommend, but since you’re naked, I’ll play along.”

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