Page 92 of Cocky Player

“You love me,” he said.“And I love you.That’s all that matters here.The rest we’ll figure out.And as far as changing, that’s what lovedoes.It will change us for the better.We’ll grow together.”

“I don’t know if I’m strong enough for that.”

“Then you’ll lean on me when you’re weak and I’ll hold you up.”

I sniffed away tears and he wiped them away with his thumbs.“I think you’d give me so much more than I could ever give you back.”

His head fell forward until he was resting against mine and then his shoulders shook as he laughed.“Angel, if you think I’m giving you more than you give me, you haven’t been paying attention.I didn’t even know my heartworkeduntil I met you.You’ve given me hope I can be a good man.That I can have a woman who won’t leave like my mom, and someone who will someday give me babies and boring nights at home and laughter when things are shit.I don’tcarehow long it takes to show that’s what you give me, but I’m in this, for the long haul.I just need you with me.”

“Everything’s a mess.From how we met.To who I am.”My throat hitched over a sob.“I don’t know how to be normal.”

“Fuck normal, Brenna.I just want you.”His fingers pressed to my cheeks, his voice went gritty.“I only want you.You don’t need to be afraid of me, I promise you.”

He gave me hope.He made it sound so easy.“You and me against the world, huh?”

“No.You and me, your family, your friends, Gina…we’re all here.We always will be.”

For the first time, I touched him.My hands went to his wrists, curled around them and squeezed.“I’ve made a mess of this.”

“Tell me you love me again, let me kiss you, and you’re forgiven.”

I laughed, shook my head against his.“You make everything seem so easy.”

“Falling in love with you was the easiest thing I’ve done.I imagine loving you every day will be even easier.”

He meant it.He meant every rumbled word he spoke with a confident fierceness I couldn’t resist.

It could end up being a horrible mistake.It could end up being the biggest and best risk I ever took.

And for the first time in my life, I went with the risk.

I jumped in with both feet and looked Connor straight in the eyes.

“I love you, Connor.Forgive me?”

“Already done,” he growled, and then his mouth slammed to mine and we kissed until we were at risk of doing very bad things in my father’s office.Until I was breathless and filled with him.Until our lips were swollen and we were both out of breath.

I kissed him until my sister walked into the room, cleared her throat, and loudly declared, “If y’all are done making out now, there’s a party going on out back where you’re supposed to be.”

Connor pulled back from me, grinning down at me and there was nothing in those dark blue eyes of his except absolute adoration.He held out his hand for me.“You ready to party?”

I took his hand in mine and made the leap of my life.“I’m ready for everything.”

Epilogue

Brenna

Several monthslater

A knock hitmy bedroom door, but I already knew who it was.Connor was taking me out tonight and he’d already texted he was on his way.I assumed Gina let him in when I didn’t hear the buzzer to our apartment go off.

“It’s open,” I called out, threading an earring through my ear.It was a small diamond stud.Connor gave them to me a couple of weeks ago for Valentine’s Day.When I first saw the box, I almost passed out.An engagement?

It was too soon, wasn’t it?And then I’d opened it and been disappointed.

Connor had laughed at my expression, ran a finger around the base of my left hand’s ring finger and promised me something better than the beautiful earrings he gifted me that night.“Soon.Very soon.”

“Shit, you keep getting more beautiful.”

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