Page 96 of Catching the Mistletoe

“Mack! Please.”

His steps faltered, but he kept going. I was running now; the wind cutting through me, the freezing air searing my lungs. When I got close enough, I grabbed Mack’s arm, trying to turn him to face me, but he shook me off, taking another step away from me. With a last burst of energy, I slipped in front of him and slapped my hands against his chest.

“Wait. Just... please, Mack. Just give me one minute.”

“Don’t do this to me, Little Dove. It’s already hard enough.”

The stark agony in his eyes seared me to the bone. My mind was whirling, trying to remember all the things I’d spent the last five hours planning to say. Without a word, Mack took his jacket off and wrapped it around my shoulders. It was warm from his body and I pulled it close. Something about the gesture kicked my brain into gear and I finally remembered what I wanted to say.

“When I woke up from my coma last year and saw your face, leaning over me, you looked like... I don’t know, a rugged angel. God, that sounds so dumb, but I can’t think of a better way to say it. And I knew. We’d never even met before, but I knew that there was something between us. And you know what I thought?”

He shook his head, his eyes locked on mine, pleading with me. Begging me to stop, or keep going, I couldn’t tell. “I thought you were my reward. For fighting so hard, for being so stoic, for staying so strong. I won you, Mack. Ideserveyou.” I gripped his sweater in tight fists and gave him a shake. “And I don’t want to not be with you. I can’t imagine not being with you. Seeing you every day…” I gathered every ounce of courage I could, because this was fucking terrifying. I was about to put it all on the line, show him my heart. I knew I wouldn’t survive him not wanting to see it. “…Loving you every day. That’s what I need, Mack. I just want to love you. Please, just let me do that.”

His eyes widened, and he looked like he was about to say something. Frightened that it would be more arguments, I pushed on. “I love you. And I am not letting you push me away, not without a fight. Because what we have is worth fighting for. It’s worth everything.”

He was silent for a long moment, his breath billowing in the cold air, his eyes hot on me, and my heart was hammering. “You love me?”

“Of course, I love you. How could I not? You’re everything to me.” I stepped closer, my throat tight. He didn’t say anything, and I stood perfectly still, holding my breath, as all our tomorrows teetered on a knife’s edge. “Please, Mack. I love you.” The words were barely a whisper, but he heard them.

With a harsh groan, Mack gathered me close, his arms tight around me, his breath warm on my cheek. His knees gave way, and he sank to the snow-covered road, still holding me tight. I clung to him, shaking all over, not even really sure what was happening right now. All I knew was that he was holding me, and it felt like he was never going to let me go.

“I love you, Arabella. So much.”

I let out a sob and buried my face in his chest. “Oh god. I need you to say that again.”

“I love you.”

His voice was low and rough and the tears that were burning my eyes finally spilled over. “Thank god.”

He was shaking now, his arms squeezing me so tight I could hardly breathe, his face buried in my hair. I couldn’t say how long we stayed like that for, but eventually, Mack rose, lifting me into his arms, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, rested my head on his shoulder as he carried me back to the RV. He didn’t set me down until we were inside, the door shut against the cold, and then he was kissing me. Soft, gentle kisses that tasted like salt and heat and love.

“I’m sorry, Little Dove.” He was whispering the words against my lips, his voice thick with emotion.

I ran my fingers through his hair. “You don’t need to be sorry.”

“I do. I shouldn’t have hurt you like that.”

“I understand why you did it.”

He drew back, his gaze searching mine, and then his lips were on mine again, hot and hungry. Mack picked me up and carried me to the bedroom, laying me down and peeling off his sweater and his coat. His hands were shaking, and I covered them with mine, kissing his knuckles. “It’s okay, Mack.”

“It’s not. Not yet. But it will be.”

I believed him and I showed him exactly how much, undressing him slowly, tracing every line and curve of his body with my fingers and tongue. Mack shivered and moaned and whispered my name, like a blessing, as we came together.

CHAPTER34

Mack

The RV’s heater was humming softly, the cab cozy and warm, and the snow was beginning to fall, coating the windows in a thin layer of ice. Arabella and I were snuggled together, facing each other, my arms around her, her leg hooked over my hip. It was still pretty early in the morning and even though I was wide awake, I had no intention of moving. I’d stay here all fucking day if it meant I could just look at her, breathe her in, let all the love I had for her flow through me. Now that she’d flattened the dam that I’d erected to hold back all those feelings for her, they flooded through me, pure and bright and amazing.

She stirred, her hand drifting along my spine, her fingers warm and smooth. Arabella lifted her head and smiled, her eyes sleepy and warm. “I love you.”

I smiled back. “I love you, too.” Words I’d fought so hard against acknowledging now came to me as easily as breathing. I stroked her hair, kissing the top of her head, the sweet scent of her filling me.

I felt her trace the tip of her finger over the tattoo on my chest. “When did you get this?”

“Last year.”

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