Page 147 of Bottles & Blades

Because she’s still talking.

“Whatever you need to do to keep me safe, to feel that you’ve done enough to protect me, we’ll do.”

Fuck.Fuck.

Regret ripples through me, cutting through that anger, and I drop my forehead to hers. “Buttercup.” I inhale, exhale. Strain for control, for logic. “I’m sorry, baby,” I mutter. “I’m freaked and overreacting. I won’t do anything to stifle you?—”

“I know.” Her fingers sifts through the stubble on my jaw. “I love you. I trust you. That was terrifying,” she whispers. “And I—” Her throat works, eyes closing for a long moment. “And I don’t want it to happen again?—”

“It won’t,” I grind out.

Her eyes open, and her mouth hitches up. “I know it won’t,” she says softly. “Because you’re going to make sure it doesn’t.”

My guilt isn’t gone.

But it’s dimmed, overshadowed by determination.

Iwon’tlet it happen again.

I will keep her safe.

Always.

Her hand slides down my side, lacing our fingers together. “Honey, I can’t say I wasn’t scared, can’t say that it wasn’t terrifying.” A squeeze that keeps me here in the present with her. “But I haven’t lived this long only to retreat just because bad stuff happened. You showed me what life can be like, showed me how big and bright it can be, and I’m not going to hide from it.” She lifts on tiptoe, presses her lips to my jaw. “I’m going to go out and own it, knowing that you’re by my side, that you love me, and that the possibility of everything we can build together is way more beautiful than anything I’ve ever dreamed of.”

“Buttercup.” Fuck, my eyes are damp and I know I need to say something,anything,but the words won’t come.

Luckily, she’s still talking.

It’s just not what I expect her to say.

Because she drops back down onto her heels and asks, “Now, can wefinallygo watch the hockey game?”

I blink.

Then again.

Her eyes dance and her mouth turns up, and she keeps talking.

Explaining.

“I bet Stefan ten bucks that the Eagles were going to take it.”

Smart.

Sweet.

Kind.

Funny.

Beautiful.

Mine.

And the woman who fuckingownsme right back.

I draw her tight and exhale deeply, letting go of the fear, cementing my determination to give this woman everything. Then I release her, lace our fingers together again, and we step back out into the hall. It only takes a moment to lock eyes with Cam, knowing he’ll pass on the message that it’s time to get the game going.

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