Page 80 of Made for You
“What happens now?” I asked, already knowing the primary result of Carl’s whereabouts.
“Carl is heading back to jail. He was using, and he shouldn’t have ever left North Carolina. It’s a mess. But Kiley will have time to sort out how and when she wants to talk to him on her own time, without him pressuring her.”
I sighed out my relief that Carl’s motive was something less outright malevolent than I’d feared and the ending to this gave Kiley safety, even if it had done more than enough damage, and bent to hug him. Awkward with the way he was lying, and I was positioned over him, but I needed my arms around him. He held me close, breathing me in as much as I did him. “I’m so glad you got her back. You’re a literal hero.”
Snickers behind me reminded me we weren’t alone, and I leaned back, but Bruce kept an arm hooked around me.
“He is a hero, probably a hundred times over, but don’t tell him I said so.” Adam winked at me, and I chuckled as Bruce’s arm tightened.
“I think that’s enough, guys. Thanks for being here. And thanks for calling her, Tris.”
The quiet man nodded from where he stood in the kitchen, and they all said their farewells. Dove and Catherine had stayed just inside the door to give us space, and they waved at me as they exited with the Saint men. As they let themselves out, since Bruce apparently had no plans to let go of me, I turned back to him.
“Is Kiley okay?” I traced his thick eyebrows with my fingertips, grateful for every hair on his head.
“I think so. I’m sure there’ll be a period of coming down from all of this, and I really don’t know how to help her process it, but we’ll get her some professional help. I’d already been thinking maybe it’s time to find someone here, and I suspect she’ll be more open to that now.”
I pressed a slow kiss to his lips. “I’m so glad you’re both okay.”
He hummed, eyes shutting as I ran my fingers through his hair. “Me, too.”
Knowing I should wait but unable to hold off any longer, I spoke up. “You said ‘love you’ before you left the hospital.”
His eyes popped open. “I did.”
“Accidentally?”
He chuckled, then grimaced as the movement must’ve tweaked his injury. He exhaled slowly through his nose for a moment, then pinned me with his gorgeous dark eyes. “I said it because I meant it. I love you, Nikki. I’m in love with you, and it might seem soon, but I can’t pretend I don’t feel it. I shouldn’t have said it then, but it came out and I didn’t have the time or desire to reel it back in. I’m sorry if it surprised you and that it happened when we couldn’t hash it out. And when you didn’t have a chance to respond.”
I bit my lip, attempting to hide my smile. “You think I’ll have a response of some kind, huh?”
His lips slid up into a half-smile. “I hope. But there’s no pressure here. I don’t want you feeling obligated or anything other than just happy knowing I feel that way about you—knowing that you deserve incredible love and I want to be the one to give it to you.”
This man was unbelievable. Such a tender soul inside of a literally heroic body, and he was mine. “I am happy. I love you, too, so it works out.”
The gorgeous, beaming smile that hit me was like an arcing parabola of beauty, perfect curve, and symmetry. He was so handsome and so unafraid to show me who he was. It was amazing and overwhelming and thrilling.
“You do? You sure? Because you don’t have to say it back,” he said, eyes glittering and cheeks creased with his smile.
I returned that grin. “I am sure. I love you. I don’t know how to do this—fair warning—but I’ve never wanted to try. Not until you. And I’m going to give it everything I have because you deserve incredible love, too.” I swallowed, so much emotion overwhelming me and triggering tears. “And I’ve been worried it’s too soon, like you said, but I’ve had some encouragement from certain meddling elders to just enjoy it.”
“Very sound advice,” he said before closing the gap between us.
We kissed just like that, me bracing myself with one hand on the couch over his shoulder, his hand at my waist, until we heard footsteps on the stairs and pulled back.
But Bruce didn’t release me completely. He held me fast, gaze locked with mine, and said it once more. “I love you.”
There was no sense in trying to stifle my reaction. I stole another kiss and echoed him. “Love you, too.”
“Okay, well, you guys are precious.” Kiley bustled into the kitchen, apparently unfazed by finding us huddled together and kissing on the couch.
I jumped up and ran to her before throwing my arms around her and squishing her to me. “You’re getting hugged whether you like it or not.”
The eye roll was practically audible, and yet she broke free only to return the hug a second later.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” I said, squeezing her tighter.
“Me, too. I’m glad Ms. Rosie’s okay,” she said, her words muffled in my shoulder. We pulled back after a minute and smiled at each other. “You know, I hope you do marry Boo. You guys would be adorable together.”
