Page 265 of Redeemed

Oh.This isn’t shock or a panic attack or anything like that. This is her realizing that, after years of me rejecting and tormenting her, she finally has me again.

I swallow. Mere months ago, I would’ve scoffed at the idea of me saying that. Even more so atmeaningit. But…

“I meant it,” I answer softly. “I’d do anything to keep you safe. Even if it meant dying for you.”

A faint, startled sound leaves her, and she stares up at me in shock. It’s a reflection of my own feelings. I’m not quite sure how we got here. No, that’s not true. I know exactly how.

I never let her go. Not really. How could I? Haven is all I’ve ever wanted since I laid my eyes on her. And what she did today…

My father washurting her,and she knew how to end it. All she had to do was spill what she knows about my plans. She knew that, and she kept everything to herself.

She protected me—protected all of us.

A rush of emotions overwhelms me, and I find myself grasping for the right thing to say, but I come up empty. “Angel, I—”

Before I can get another word out, Haven is pulling me down until my mouth crashes against hers. She’s never initiated a kiss with me before.Never.I’m too stunned to move for a solid three seconds, but just when she starts to pull away, my brain catches up.

I grab her waist and yank her into me. My lips meet hers again, and she melts into me in a way that, for the first time in years, feels completely trusting. In the next second, her arms are slipping around my neck, and mine are wrapping tightly around her torso.

Over the course of the past six months, I’ve kissed Haven countless times, but never like this. She’s never matched the fire that’s burned inside me for her, but now, she’s unstoppable. The girl is practically climbing onto me, and I’m more than willing to let her.

Grabbing Haven’s ass, I haul her up until she wraps her legs around my waist. She kisses me harder, and I can feel her chest heaving against mine. I think she’s thrown all her inhibitions to the wind, and if we keep this up, I will too.

I’ve wanted this for years, and I was an idiot for refusing to admit it to myself. What’s that Bible verse? Iron sharpens iron? That’s me and her. When we collide, sparks fly. She’s one of the only people I’ve ever met who’s changed me for the better instead of the worse. She softens me and strengthens me at the same time, and I do the same for her.

She’s brought me back to the caring boy I was when we met, and I’ll treasure her because of it for the rest of our lives.

When I break off the kiss, Haven immediately leans in for more, but I stop her. I have to.

“Are you sure you want this?” I ask. The possibility that she might say no kills me, but I can’t do this any other way.

“Please.” She kisses me again like she can’t help it. “I need this. I need—I need you.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t.”

Haven’s lips move to my throat, and I swear I almost drop her. I’ve had plenty of girls kiss me there before, but I’ve never particularly cared for it. With Haven, her tiny kisses send a rush of arousal through me. She’s doing it almost reverently, and I don’t think anyone has ever treated me that way. Like they… adore me.

“Tell me you mean it,” I say, my voice close to breaking.

Pausing, Haven pulls back. “That I know you won’t hurt me?”

“That you need me,” I whisper hoarsely.

Her eyes go soft, and when she kisses me this time, it’s the same. Sweet. Caring.Adoring.

“I mean it, Colton. I think I’ve always needed you, too.”

My lips crash against hers. I back her up so I can set her onto the island, and then my hands are tearing off her clothes in between desperate kisses. She manages to get my shirt off, too, and once I have her fully undressed, she circles her legs around my hips and pulls me closer.

I shudder when her fingers trace over the tattoos on my chest. She lingers over the anatomical heart on my upper arm, and then she grabs at my hand and presses her lips to the star on the inside of my wrist.

Maybe I don’t regret that one anymore.

The way Haven is touching me makes me want to shove her back on the counter and fuck her hard and deep, but I know I’ll regret it. That will come eventually, once I have her trembling and begging for my cock.

“Don’t move.” My hands stay on her waist until the last possible second as I step away. I’m back within seconds, a dining room chair in tow. I set it right in front of her and lower myself onto it so I’m between her legs. “Lean back, angel.”

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