Page 58 of Heartbeats & Highways

“Do you remember what I said to you? The first night we slept together?”

I nodded.

“Tell me then,” he said, his voice low. “Tell me what I said to you.”

“You said there was no going back. That I was yours.”

“And I meant it.”

“Savage, you can’t—this is too much, too soon. You don’t have to do this. I can do it on my own.”

“Why do it on your own when you have me?”

I buried my face in my hands and started to cry. He wrapped me in his arms and hugged me, resting his chin on my head.

When I quieted, he held me with one arm and used the other to pry my hands away from my face and forced me to look at him.

“I’m in love with you, Evie. I’m so damn in love with you I can’t see straight. When I’m not with you, I physically hurt. I’m in. I’m all in.”

“But it’s so early in our relationship,” I whispered.

“Doesn’t matter.” He notched his thumb and forefinger underneath my chin. “Say it, babe. Give me the words.”

My tongue snaked out to wet my dry lips. “I love you, Savage.”

“You trust me?”

I nodded.

“Then don’t be scared. I’ve got you.”

Savage took me to bed and held me while I slept. But when I woke, he was gone.

Frowning, I picked up my phone. I had one text from him.

Savage

had to run an errand. took your apartment keys. back soon.

I had a few hours before I had to be at work.

Worry cascaded down my spine.

Savage and I had declared our love for one another, but now I was waking up alone. My emotions—and hormones—were all over the place.

I dragged myself to the bathroom and into the shower. I’d forgotten I’d chopped my hair and was momentarily shocked when I shampooed it and it was more than a foot shorter.

When I got out of the shower, I was disappointed that Savage still hadn’t returned. I got dressed and combed out my hair to let it air dry.

I was in the middle of whisking eggs when I heard the key in the lock and Savage came in.

The knot of terror loosened immediately when I saw him and his smile.

“Hey, babe,” he greeted as he tossed my apartment keys onto the counter.

“Hi.”

He peered at me. “You were worried that I ran out on you.”

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