Page 51 of The Biker and the Gamer
"Yeah," I say numbly, unable to take my eyes off Alec. "Go. I'll lock up."
Seconds later, the door chimes and she's gone. After a few long moments of just staring up at him, I squeeze out, "What—what are you doing here?"
He slaps his palms to the counter, and before I can guess his intentions, he hoists himself up and over.
"What—you can't—"
I'm hauled up off the chair and then my mouth is ensnared by his. Wild and deep and hungry, he kisses me. My body crushed tight against his. I'm in another world, another universe. My body hums with life. My heart inflates inside my chest.
Because it, too, has been punctured flat for the past five months.
Ripping his mouth from mine, leaving me breathless, he lets me go and steps back. "See, Kendra?That'show you tell someone you're in love with them."
Spun dizzy, I touch my fingers to my lips. "You're...here."
He perches his ass on the lower counter, clad in a Pikachu shirt with acid-washed jeans, red suspenders, and high-top sneakers. God, I missed this idiot. I mean, does he dress like this to piss people off?
"I am."
Not wanting to get my hopes up, I ask, “For how long this time?"
His long arm snakes out and loops around my waist, pulling me into him. "For as long as you want me."
Breath quickening, I seek clarification. "What does that mean?"
"It means I'm here, and I'm yours, for as long as you want me."
Oh my God. "What if I want you forever?"
"Then I count myself as the luckiest man on earth."
I press my face into his neck and inhale his scent, wanting,needingto believe this is true. "You're the only man I've ever loved."
He kisses the top of my head. "I know."
Lifting my head, I find his gaze again. "How?"
"Because you're the only woman I've ever loved. And I see the same fear in your eyes that I used to feel."
I frown. "Used to?"
"Yeah." He brushes his thumb across my bottom lip. "Falling for you was scary. Being in love with you is even scarier. But being away from you?" He shakes his head. "That was purgatory." He cups my face. "Now I'm here, in front of you, touching you, feeling you, and all of that fear is gone. That's how I knowthisis where I belong."
My stupid eyes fill with stupid tears, but I don't close them to fight them back. I'm done fighting. I'm done hiding from him. "Remember when I said no one will ever own me?"
"Uh-huh."
"Well," I sigh heavily. "I lied. You own me, Alec Vaughn. Mind, heart, and soul, I am yours."
"You better hurry up and kiss me," he says with a wide grin. "Because you just admitted both tolovingme and beingowned. No doubt about it, the world is about to end in five…four…three...two—"
"Shut up, you idiot," I say with a laugh, punching him.
He watches me laugh, his eyes soft and gentle. And then his chest inflates before deflating with a sigh as he says, "You're my dream girl, Kendra Tisdale."
"Good." I grab fistfuls of his shirt. "Now, if you ever walk away from me again, I'll cut your balls off, capiche?"
His grin almost blinds me. "Yes, ma'am."
