Page 31 of A Very Grumpy Marine

Even though Iknewshe felt it. Even though I’ve been waiting—aching—to hear her say it.

I cup her face, brushing my thumb over her cheek. "Say it again."

Her breath shakes, and her lips curve into a small, nervous smile. "I love you, Camden."

Everything in me settles at those words.

But then she bites her lip, hesitation flickering across her face, and my stomach clenches.

"I love you," she continues, "but I also love my job. I love traveling, I love working, I love everything about what I do." Her fingers twist in the blanket. "And I don’t want to give that up."

I frown. "Who the hell said you had to?"

She blinks, clearly caught off guard. "I just thought?—"

I shake my head, climbing onto the bed beside her. "Baby, I wasnevergoing to ask you to stay here if you didn’t want to. That’s not who I am, and that’s not whoweare."

Her lips part, her brows knitting together.

I take her hands, squeezing them tightly. "Listen to me. I don’t care where we live. I don’t care if we’re in Wolf Valley, or Los Angeles, or some tiny island in the middle of nowhere. As long as I’m with you, I’m home."

Her throat bobs. "But what about your job?"

I shrug. "I’ll figure it out. I can help out at Semper Fly when we’re in town, maybe pick up contract work here and there. I can find something new, something flexible. I’ve got options."

"But—"

I cut her off by leaning in, pressing my forehead against hers. "The only thing Idon’thave an option on is you, Lymric. I’m not letting you go."

She inhales sharply, her fingers gripping mine tighter. "You’d really do that? Just… pack up and come with me?"

"In a heartbeat."

She blinks rapidly, like she can’t quite believe what she’s hearing. "I thought—I was so scared this was going to be an impossible choice. That I’d have to pick between you and my career."

I shake my head, running my thumb over her knuckles. "Baby, the only choice you ever have to make is to be with me. Everything else? We figure it out together."

She exhales a shaky breath, her whole body relaxing.

And then—before I can say another word—she launches herself at me, her arms wrapping around my neck as she buries her face against my shoulder.

I hold her tight, my fingers sliding into her hair as I breathe her in.

"You’re really mine?" I murmur.

She pulls back, cupping my face in her hands. "I was always yours," she whispers. "I was just too scared to admit it."

I smirk. "Not scared anymore?"

"Terrified," she admits. "But I love you more."

My chest aches in the best way.

I tilt my head, brushing my lips against hers.

It starts slow—soft, sweet, her breath mixing with mine.

Then she presses closer, and I groan, deepening the kiss and pulling her into my lap.

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