Page 109 of I Saw Her First

“But…”

“No.” The sharp tone of Weston’s voice forces my gaze to his. “If you want to end this because you don’t want to be with me, I’ll respect that, and let you go.”

I open my mouth to protest because that is not and has never been the case.

“But if you’re only walking away because of my relationship with Jess,” Wes continues, “then I won’t let you.”

“But you need to—”

“No,” he repeats firmly, fingertips tightening on my waist. “You don’t get to throw this away because of my son. You don’t get to make that choice for me.”

I gaze at Wes, my eyes stinging. My heart is tight, wrung out at the expression on Wes’s face. At his refusal to give up on us.

“It’s not your fault,” he murmurs, thumbs caressing my waist again. “I know you blame yourself, but it’s not your fault. My relationship with Jess has been rocky for years. I should have been honest with him when he came back home, and I have to own that. I won’t let you keep beating yourself up.”

You’re punishing yourself.

You’re letting the guilt win.

You need to forgive yourself.

Tears spill from my eyes, and Weston’s thumb is there to brush them away in an instant.

“Do you love me, Daisy?”

“So much,” I whisper.

The relief in his gaze is like the first light of dawn after the longest night. Like finding land when you’re lost at sea.

“Then come home,” he says, his eyes moist. “Come home to me, baby.”

My heart caves in. I swallow, letting the wordhomewash over me, because it’s always felt like home at Weston’s house, and if he wants me there, then that’s where I’ll be.

“Okay,” I breathe, gripping the lapels of his suit jacket.

He doesn’t wait to lower his mouth to mine, and when our lips connect, everything else fades away. The music, the people…

“Wait.” I draw away, casting a furtive glance around the dance floor. “Are you sure we should do this here?”

Weston’s hands tighten on my back and pull me closer, his lips finding mine again, tongue sweeping hungrily into my mouth. “I want everyone to know you’re mine,” he murmurs, warm breath fanning across my lips. “I’m never going to hide what we have from anyone again.” Then he captures my mouth once more, and I sink into his kiss. His touch is a healing balm on my heart, and it only takes a few seconds before I ache to be alone with him, to make love to him, to make up for the time we’ve lost.

I glance around the dance floor only to find Violet and Kyle watching us with massive grins. My cheeks heat at the fact that I was openly making out with their neighbor at their wedding, but Violet dances our way.

“You can go if you like,” she whispers, winking. “We’ve got more than enough pictures.”

I blush even harder. “But—”

“I’m the bride,” Violet reminds me, “and I’m sending you home. Now.” She nudges me playfully, then spins away back to Kyle.

I glance back at Wes, who obviously heard every word.

“What do you say, babygirl?” He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back of it. “Want to go home?”

This time, I don’t hesitate. “Yes, please.”

I grab my camera, and we pause to thank Violet and Kyle, before racing through their house, back to Weston’s. He struggles to get the key in the front door, mostly because he’s got one arm around me and his face nuzzled into my neck, but I don’t mind. It’s amazing to have him touch me like this, hold me close, out on the stoop where anyone could see us. Knowing he wants the real deal with me, wants everyone to know, makes my head spin. By the time we get up to his bedroom, I’m dizzy with the knowledge that this is really happening. I’m back here, and it’s right.

“I missed you,” I say between kisses, as Wes lays me back on the bed. His hands are everywhere at once: my hair, my face, my stomach, my breasts.

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