Page 31 of More Than a Match

“Court date?”

“Yeah. The police said you’ll probably have to testify. At least that way, they can get him on the attempted abduction and the assault. They are pretty confident they can nail him on the serial killings as well though, because the last victim was the driver who was supposed to pick you up. He had her car and her phone.”

“Jesus fucking Christ.”

Of course, there will be a full investigation, and they didn’t give me too many details, but seems to me like you got hella lucky.”

“It wasn’t luck, it was the fact that I remembered stuff from my self-defense class, plus the rideshare app confirmed that something was terribly wrong. And it also definitely helps that you were able to swoop in and save the day.”

“Yeah, I know. It was a whole bunch of things that went right and wound up likely saving your life. I just wanted to give you a heads up, so it doesn’t blindside you later.” I press another kiss to her head and add, “kinda like you were doing for me earlier.”

“Well, what I was trying to do.”

“I know baby. I’m sorry I got so heated. I don’t like that you lied to your family about me, but I understand why you did it in the heat of the moment.”

“I didn’t like doing it, I regretted it as soon as I did,” she admits, snuggling closer. “I love you just the way you are.”

Every nerve ending in my body jumps as though I’ve been touched with a cattle prod.Did she really just say that?

“Sorry, I missed that. Come again?”

“I said I regretted it right away,” she says.

“And then?”

“And then I said… Oh shit,” she giggles, realizing what had happened.

“Do you mean it?”

“Mean what?”

She’s teasing me now, the little minx. “Do you love me just the way I am?”

“Yeah, I guess I do.” She looks up at me. “Is that a problem?”

“Nope, not even a tiny problem. Because truth is, I love you too, just the way you are.”

Part of me can’t believe I just said that to her, especially since it feels like we’re moving so damn fast. The other part is quietly rejoicing. Even though I haven’t known her for long, I feel like my soul has known her forever. Saying it out loud was only a matter of finding the right timing, and that time is now.

CHAPTER 23: MINA

Oh shit. I just told him I love him. Sure, it was said in a cavalier, roundabout sort of way, but the words still came out. I love him.

“Do you mean it?” he asks, and the question echoes in my mind.Do I?

“Mean what?” I cop out, trying, and quite evidently failing, to be coy.

“Do you love me just the way I am?”

Well, I guess it’s time for the moment of truth. That truth that has been bubbling inside me since our first encounter and has only grown louder since. It doesn’t make sense. I never thought I could feel this way about someone this fast, but here we are.

“Yeah, I guess I do.”Shit.Does he think we’re moving too fast? Is this too much for him? “Is that a problem?” I don’t think I want the answer.

“Nope, not even a tiny problem. Truth is, I love you just the way you are, too.”

Fire courses through my body as he says those magic words. He’s not intimidated or overwhelmed by my unplanned declaration. He loves me too.

I can’t help but grin like a giddy schoolgirl and snuggle into his arms.He loves me.I feel him looking down at me, and I return the glance. His eyes are burning, and instinctively I reach up and pull him in for a kiss.

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