Page 61 of His Dark Purpose

“Yes, I have, sir.” She forced herself to meet his eyes, ignoring the rising tenderness.

His brow rose, his hand moving to cradle hers. “Go on.”

She had his full attention then, his blue eyes boring into her as though they saw straight into her soul. Taking another shaky breath, she was glad for the opportunity. They’d reached something of a dangerous impasse at Brock Hall, and in an odd, masochistic way, she wasn’t sorry Seth had brought things to a dramatic crescendo. Things between her and Kyle would have to change going forward, which would require effort on both their parts.

“We have trust issues, sir.” She was stating the blinding obvious, but she had to start somewhere. “I know we know that, but everything that’s happened has been exacerbated because of them.”

Shards of memories that proved her point flitted through her mind. Perhaps they wouldn’t have been in the bedroom if Kyle hadn’t cuffed her there. Maybe if she’d taken Jonah’s call and responded to his and Seth’s messages, she wouldn’t have ended up being stabbed.

There was no way to know for sure, but one thing she did know was they couldn’t go on the way things had been. She had to use what Seth had done to help Kyle to see that. Without change, she feared their love was doomed to wither and die.

“I know.” For perhaps the first time, there wasn’t a trace of self-importance in his tone. If anything, she thought she heard a glimmer of regret there. “I’m sorry for any part I played in causing this.” He nodded toward her injury. “I know Seth pulled the weapon, but I was goading him and trying to get a response.”

“You got one.” She might have laughed had she not been so sore.

“Yeah.” He pressed his lips into a thin line. “I guess it’s that fear of losing you again.” He shrugged as though it was stupid. “You might be the first person I’ve ever truly loved, Amy, and I don’t always know how to deal with those feelings, especially when I’m competing with your sons.”

“It’s not a competition.” She wished she could reach out and catch his tears, but it seemed like a stretch too far in her current predicament. “I have plenty of love to go around, sir.”

“I know.” He shook his head sadly. “It’s silly, a grown man being intimidated by your existing relationships. I’m sorry, little girl. I’ve said I’ll do better, and I need to. I was wrong to keep you cuffed. I just sometimes don’t think…”

“Yes, you do.” She laughed despite the pain. “Just not always with your head, sir.”

“That’s cheeky, little girl.” He squeezed her fingers. “But I suppose you’re not wrong.”

“They say it’s never too late to stop being afraid.” She paused, watching his reactions carefully. “And I’ll be there to help if I can.”

“I know.” His lips twisted into a smile. “I’m so fucking grateful for you, and the first way I’m going to show you is by inviting Seth to stay.” He let out the air he’d been holding. “If he wants to go to a hotel, that’s fine, but he’s welcome to stay.”

“Thank you.” Kyle’s gesture meant more to her than he could possibly know. “I hope once he cools down, he’ll stay.”

Time stretched out around them in the tiny hospital room, the machine monitoring her heart beeping faster as she realized, even after everything, how damn fortunate she was to find a man like Kyle.

He was everything.

He’d changed everything.

And even better, he was prepared to change again—for the love he bore her.

“I really wish I could kiss you right now, but…” She glanced down at her side.

“Too painful, eh?” He leaned closer, that familiar smirk painting his handsome face.

“Yeah.” She drew in a sharp breath.

“Normally, I’d appreciate your pain, but…” He scowled, moving so close that his warm breath brushed over her face. “It’s not half so much fun when I didn’t inflict the hurt.”

“That’s sadistic, sir.” She leaned into his heat, needing him despite everything. “It must be why I love you.”

“Come here.” His free hand rose to the back of her head, cradling her as his lips swooped.

She mewled, not because of pain, but for every fiber of her being that yearned for him. For his every fucked-up maneuver, William Kyle was her master—the man who had simultaneously lifted her up and brought her to heel.

Lost in the fog of their colliding passion, neither of them seemed to notice the door opening and Nurse Reilly returning, or if they did, they just didn’t care.

Epilogue

Play Date

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