Page 134 of Forgotten Desires

“I know.”

And I do. I knew it all along. I think I was just so afraid. My insecurities were screaming at me, no matter what the evidence pointed to.

“I need to say all of this, Bee. I need to get it out.”

“Okay,” I say softly, feeling tired again, but forcing myself to stay awake as long as I can.

“You are my heart and soul. You are the reason that the world makes sense, and why it continues to turn. You’re everything good and for some reason, I get to love you twice. You’re my wife, but more than that, you’re the reason I draw breath. I choose you, Brynn. I love you and I want you to be my wife in every way. I want you to marry me again, not because we both want something from each other, but because we want to give each other everything. Marry me? Marry me because you love me and want to spend the rest of your life with me.”

I feel the tears fall and all the exhaustion fades for a moment. “Yes.”

He smiles and takes my face in his hands. “Bee, steal my heart because ten years ago I gave it to you, and it’s only ever been yours.”

I laugh at what might be the cheesiest and sweetest line I’ve ever heard. “Why should I steal it?”

“Because then you’re the only one who can decide if I ever get it back.”

“I plan to keep it forever,” I tell him.

“Good, because if you said no to marrying me again, you were going to be in for one hell of a contested divorce.” I laugh and he kisses me softly. “Rest, my love, I’ll be right beside you.”

And without even thinking about it, my eyes close, and I sleep with my husband’s hand wrapped around mine.

* * *

When I wake again, it’s not only Crew beside me, but my brothers as well.

“This is never a good thing,” I say when the four of them are looking at me.

Asher grins. “At least we didn’t kill your husband for upsetting you so much that you required another surgery.”

I roll my eyes. “I’d like to think that had nothing to do with it.”

“Maybe,” Rowan says with a smirk. “Still, we do like to at least threaten violence.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

Grady moves to my side. “Everyone here was willing to fight for you, though. So we let him live another day.”

“That’s good.”

He smiles. “It’s still on a probationary status.”

I look at my husband, who winks at me. “Your brothers would never do anything to hurt you, so I’m feeling pretty safe.”

I sigh heavily, looking around the room, and Asher steps forward, always the serious one. “We know the truth, Brynn. Crew told us about how you met, found each other again, and the reasons you married. I want you to know that none of us are upset with you. I know that you wouldn’t have lied to us unless you thought you had to. I also think you did that to save a little girl, and none of us could ever be upset for that.” My heart races a little and Asher puts his hand on my shoulder. “Take a deep breath and calm yourself. I’m telling you this so you don’t worry about it. None of us would ever turn our backs on you, even if you lied about something much worse than marrying the man you actually loved, no matter the reason.”

I look at Crew. “Why did you tell them?”

He moves around to the other side of the bed. “So you didn’t have to. If they wanted to be upset with anyone, it should be me. I asked this of you, it was my mess to clean up.”

I shake my head. “I agreed to it.” I pause a moment, then tentatively ask, “What about the article?” I barely get the words out, my breathing is a little labored.

Crew looks to the guys and back at me. “There won’t be an article.”

“What?”

“That paper and the journalist will not be printing anything about us.”

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