Page 117 of Resurfaced Passion

No, his fear came down to something else.

Something more personal.

While he viewed her laughing and joking around with Tag, his guts on fire, his mind tore through solutions of whether he should confess and let the dice fall where they may, he became increasingly less controlled.

The world slowed.

Leaving him with his head full of fucking trouble while observing his laughing girl.

It was no hardship staring at the beauty of his girl, he’d been doing it from day one, but he fucking wished he had more peace in doing it.

Silence ricocheted from every wall of his mind.

It’s funny how he could be surrounded in people and yet the void growing ever bigger.

The dull roar pulsed through his veins.

Focus on Paige,his brain told him. Inevitably, like a moth to its owner, the flame, he’d continually been drawn to her side.

The shit would fall where it would fall, so why shouldn’t he enjoy these moments with her anyway?He’d fucking waited, hadn’t he? More than any man would.

He deserved this piece of good—after all, he’d taken the risks because he couldn’t stop himself.

But while his eyes ate her up, loved her hard, saw the beckoning lust in her eyes—and god help him, he’d give anything to forget life existed and follow through with all the promises her little body gave out—his head kept going back to the same thing; that fucker would be headed this way.

Reaper’s luck had run out, and the only question he needed to answer was; would he continue to gamble on everything staying the same, or having his life implode without repair?

Now

Reaper was not a learned man but even he could read a situation and recognize how close he was to losing his girl and he felt panic swell his chest when he tried to move forward to take her in his arms and she held out two hands, warding him off.

“What did you say?”

What the hell could he say now? Other than repeat his truth. The words that came out of his mouth without realizing. He’d been careful about it for so long it almost became second nature. “She’s not dead.”

“But… but you said she was gone. That time I asked. You said she was gone. I thought...”

“Paige, baby. Let me hold you, okay? It doesn’t change anything. I’m here with you, we’re gonna live together, right?” Heneededto ask because now he didn’t know, and his guts felt wide open.

Fuck this.He strode with purposeful steps and closed the gap between them in seconds, her back hit the wall in her haste to get away and he hated that,despisedseeing that look on her face that said she wanted to be anywhere else but here.

Reaper held the tops of her arms and lowered his head to better see her wild eyes.

“Are you divorced? Is that why you still wear that?” She looked at his ring.

“I’m in love with you, Paige.” He moved his hands to cup her delicate face. If there was one thing he hated seeing, it was tears in her eyes. Brushing a kiss to her lips she thankfully accepted, he said it again. “I love you, Paige. I’m here with you, one million fucking percent. You have all of me and I want all of you.”

“Reaper…” she whispered, one tear spilling over, he made his thumb move before the droplet could travel further. Her hands clung to his shirt, eyes so wide and confused. He couldn’t blame her for wanting to run, he was fighting without a safety net and he felt unsteady, but his heart ruled him, and he needed Paige.

He’d fight anything and anyone for Paige.

“I love you. Believe me, please.” He said again, leaving his lips against hers and when she sobbed, he took the noise into his mouth, kissing her deeper, frantic for her to not leave him.

She clung and kissed him back, their bodies fused.

“But…” harsh breath caressed his cheeks; he saw her looking at his ring again.

“I swear if we got married today I wouldn’t be breaking any laws, baby. Don’t worry about it, okay? I’m with you.”

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