Page 72 of Make Me Whole
Chapter Thirty-Four
HAILEY
I couldn't breathe.
My head was spinning in every which way, trying to fully comprehend everything he'd just said. I blinked and as two more tears fell from my lids my vision cleared, and those soul-searching eyes came into focus.
He loves me.For whatever reason, my brain was having trouble processing that bit of information. My gaze roamed over his face and instead of saying the words back to him. The words that I felt deep inside my heart, something else entirely slipped out. "What if this thing between us doesn't work out?"
His lips twitched before that sexy lop-sided grin appeared. "Oh, but sweetness, what if it does?"
"What if I fall into a bottle again?"
"You won't."
"What if you get tired of me?"
"I won't."
Exasperated, I took a step back and threw my arms in the air. "How can you be so sure? Nothing in life is guaranteed."
He widened his stance and folded his arms in front of his broad chest. Cocking his head to the side, he looked at me long and hard. "I know nothing is ever set in stone. That people break promises and walk out when they were supposed to stay. I know life can change in a matter of seconds, but I also know I was made to love you, Hailey. You're that part of me I always felt was missing."
Bradley was saying everything I wanted to hear, so why was it so hard for me to actually believe the words? I smoothed a finger over my eyebrow while I glanced up at the sky. A second later, his long fingers curled around my upper arms. "You think you don't deserve to be loved." And there it was. The truth in its simplest form. My heart twisted, and I wanted to touch my palm to the spot.
His grip on me tightened as he lowered his head until we were almost nose to nose. "You're wrong. And if I have to spend the rest of my life proving that to you, it's exactly what I'll do." He closed his eyes for a beat and when he opened them again, I saw apprehension there. "Unless you don't want me to."
My tongue darted out to slide along my dry lips. "I want it all," I finally admitted. "I want the house, the life you described. But most of all, I just want you." I watched his Adam's apple bob up and down as he worked down a swallow. "I love you."
Bradley's breath hitched audibly and for the umpteenth time, he held my face in his calloused hands. "Say it again?"
"I love you, Bradley." The back of my eyes stung as my body managed to produce more tears. "I came here looking for a safe place to nurse my wounded heart and instead I found you."
In the next breath, he slanted his mouth over mine. His lips were firm, yet gentle, as he moved back and forth, back and forth. One hand went to cradle the back of my head while the other slid down my arm and banded around my waist. His fingers dug into the small of my back; mashing our bodies even closer together.
Instead of deepening the kiss, he pulled back and leaned his forehead against mine. "You didn't just find me, sweetness. You saved me." He tightened his hold on me. "And now that I have you, there's no way I'm letting you go."
My back connected with the closed door so hard, it stole my breath. I couldn't bring myself to complain, not with Bradley's lips assaulting me so deliciously and his body pressed so tightly against mine.
When we left the property a while ago, neither one of us was ready to share the other with the people waiting at home, so we decided to come to the cabin instead. We'd barely made it through the door before he pounced.
Bradley's hands tugged at the hem of my shirt before he slid it up my torso and pulled it over my head. His fingers slipped beneath my bra straps so he could slide them down my arm as far as they would go.
The second he was able to, he peppered my shoulder with kisses before gliding his mouth along my collarbone to give my other shoulder the same treatment. I threaded my fingers in his hair while he made quick work of the button and zipper on my jeans.
A second later, he pushed past the layers of fabric and touched me where I wanted it most. I felt him smile against my skin when a small whimper sounded from the back of my throat.
"I love it when you moan for me," his voice was low and gravelly, sending shivers down my spine. And to prove his point, he flexed his fingers and successfully drew another needy sound out of me.
Without taking away his hand, he straightened so he could look into my eyes. A wicked grin tugged at his lips right before he doubled his efforts and sent me free falling into ecstasy.
Just as his name left my lips, he covered my mouth with his and kissed me long and slow. Which is exactly how he made love to me when he picked me up and carried me to the bed.
Every rock of his hips touching the part of my heart that only he could. The part that was now bursting with happiness and love.
So much love.
When we finally broke apart a long while later, Bradley wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into his chest. I melted into him and gave into the happiness spreading through me.
I came to Walker Ranch with nothing but a broken heart and found everything I needed to mend it.
