Page 107 of Unexpected Redemption

I lower my hand. “It’s in your top two.”

Without missing a beat, he insists, “Not anymore.”

My neck jerks back, and I blink rapidly as if I could see through his saccharine attempt to make me feel better. “Since when?”

Some of the indignation melts away from his features, leaving room for the beginnings of a smile. “The moment I first kissed you was when you became my top two kinks. In fact, you’re all of them.”

“You can’t mean that.” My voice quakes, and my eyes mist over. “Don’t try to make me feel better by fudging the truth. That’s sweet and all, but I’m being honest here.”

“I am too. I swear. I’ll burn all my fucking ropes right now. And I never need to walk back into Bask unless I’m going there for or with you. Because you are the only thing I need. Ever. Period.”

I’m nearly speechless, but manage to get out one word, hoping it conveys some measure of my emotion. “Tomer.”

“I love you, Violet Anastasia Holt.Youare all I need. Please believe that.”

Voice wobbling, I admit, “I do believe it.”

When my tears fall this time, it’s not from sadness but in response to his overwhelming love.

His lips meet mine, giving me sweet kisses through my salty, raining tears. Every swipe of his tongue on mine erases more insecurities. Each subtle moan soothes my worry that I’m no longer enough for him.

And as he whispers he loves me, he erases more memories of the days and nights I spent without him, both inforcedbondage and when I walked away.

For the first time that I can recall, our kisses don’t turn into burning lust. They stay sweet and passionate, more of a connection and soothing balm than leading us to sex. I want to stay wrapped up in him this way, reveling in his gentle caresses, soft kisses, and whispered confessions.

It’s perfection.

When we break for air, we gaze at each other with hearts and stars in our eyes. A pair of twitterpated saps.

When the dopey smiles on our faces start to grow stale, I say, “I was thinking about something you said the other day.”

“What?”

“Remember when you said you wanted the house, the picket fence, the dog, and all that stuff?”

He laces his fingers with mine on my left hand, bringing it up to his mouth to kiss the spot where his ring will go one day. “Yes. What about it?”

“I sort of want to shop for a new house with you, but I’ve felt guilty about asking.”

“Why?”

“Because this is your house, and it’s lovely. There’s nothing wrong with it. And it’s not like I come to the relationship with all this money and good credit or anything. I’m so poor I can hardly pay attention. It feels weird to ask for a new place. Yet I want something that’s only been ours.”

“Lettie, first of all, I’ll gladly sit down with you and show you all my finances. We won’t be worrying about money for a long time. And I’ll give you everything I have. In fact, I called the bank the other day to get a credit and debit card issued with your name on it, both tied to my accounts. That way you don’t have to ask me if you need to buy something. Once things settle, we’ll go to the bank and add you to my account.”

Oh, my heavens. This man.

“Really?”

He nods. “As for the house thing, I’m glad you’re being honest with me. I wouldn’t have put it out there if I wasn’t willing to follow through. I want you to be happy in every way. If making a new house into a home with me brings you joy, that’s what we’ll do. I can afford it, sowecan afford it.”

“How do you have so much money?”

Naturally, that’s the part my squirrel brain decides to focus on after that beautiful profession. I’m a major doofus.

Heh. Major doofus, reporting for duty.

Tomer recaptures my errant focus. “I’ve spent very little of the money I’ve made, and I’m paid very well at Redleg. My military career was more profitable than some of my peers because of all my special skills. When I first got out of the Army, I bought a duplex in cash. I rented out one side and lived in the other. For three years, I stockpiled the rent I received while not paying any mortgage out. It helped me build up my savings. I sold it and used the profits and my savings to buy this. The market is good right now, so I imagine we’ll make a nice profit on this that we can use to buy something you’ll love.”

---