Page 29 of Gunner

“But you did,” she insisted. “And I don’t regret any of it. I don’t regret us.”

He sucked in a breath, like her words physically hit him. His hands turned beneath hers, gripping her wrists gently, brushing his thumb over the bruises Jesse had left. His gaze darkened, the self-loathing still lingering in his expression.

Dawn reached up, cupping his face, forcing him to see her. “You are the best thing that’s happened to me, Gunner.” Her voice was thick with emotion. “You make me feel safe. Even now. Even after everything. You think I’d trade that? Trade you?”

His breath was ragged. “Dawn...”

Gunner pulled her against him, his arms encircling her so tightly she could barely breathe, not that she wanted to. She melted into him, tangling her fingers in his hair as she pressed her face against his chest, feeling the steady, grounding rhythm of his heartbeat.

Then he tipped her chin up, his eyes searching hers, as if looking for any hesitation, any fear. There was none. He kissed her. It wasn’t careful. It wasn’t soft.

It was desperate—a collision of need, of relief, of something deeper that neither of them had the words for yet. His lips claimed hers, demanding and reverent all at once, like he had to prove to himself that she was real, here, in his arms where she belonged.

Dawn met him with equal fervor, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt, holding onto him like an anchor.

Gunner’s lips were still on hers when the words tumbled out. “I love you, Dawn.”

The kiss stilled, their breaths mingling as they hovered close, the weight of his confession pressing between them like a live wire. Dawn’s heart pounded so hard she swore he could hear it.

Gunner cradled her face, using his thumbs to brush away the tears she hadn’t even realized were there. “I mean it,” he murmured, his voice rough, raw. “I love you, and I swear to God, I’m never letting anything happen to you again.”

A choked sound escaped her, half-laugh, half-sob. “Gunner...”

He held her tighter, as if afraid she might disappear. “You’re everything to me, baby. I didn’t even see it happening, but now I can’t imagine a damn day without you.” He pressed his head against hers, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I should’ve told you sooner.”

Dawn swallowed hard, her entire body trembling—not with fear, but with something deeper, something that made her chest ache in the best possible way.

“I love you too, Gunner,” she whispered. The moment the words left her lips, she felt something inside her settle, like puzzle pieces finally clicking in place. “I never thought I’d get to have this, but with you ... it’s different. It feels different. You feel different.”

A deep sound rumbled in his chest, something between relief and fierce devotion. “Damn right it’s different. You’re mine, Dawn. And I’m yours.”

She nodded, pressing her lips to his, soft and slow this time, savoring the moment. Gunner kissed her back just as tenderly, but when he pulled away, his expression hardened with determination.

“I swear to you, baby, you’ll never have to look over your shoulder again. I’ll always protect you. No matter what. No one’s ever touching you again.”

Dawn believed him. Because for the first time in her life, she knew—truly knew—what it felt like to be loved by a man who would burn the whole world down just to keep her safe.

Gunner exhaled a sharp breath, then cupped her cheek, tilting her face so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. “Come live with me.”

Dawn blinked. “What?”

“I don’t want you going back to that apartment,” he said firmly. “I don’t want you sleeping in an empty bed or looking over your shoulder every time you leave your place. I want you here. With me. Let’s get a place together.”

Her breath hitched. “Gunner, are you sure? I mean ... that’s a big step.”

He let out a rough chuckle. “Baby, after everything we’ve been through, that’s not a big step. That’s theonlystep.” His fingers traced her jaw, his touch gentler than she ever thought a man like him capable of. “Say yes.”

Dawn searched his face, seeing nothing but raw honesty, nothing but love. She thought about her quiet apartment. About the cold bed, the empty nights. The loneliness she’d carried for too damn long.

Then she thought about Gunner. His warmth, his strength, the way he looked at her like she was the most important thing in the world. There was no choice to make.

“Yes,” she whispered, a smile breaking across her lips.

Gunner grinned, then crushed his mouth to hers in a kiss that left her breathless. “Good,” he murmured against her lips. “Because you were never leaving my bed again anyway.”

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