Page 49 of The Hero I Can't Resist
His words hit me hard, and I look back at the camera. “All right, everyone. We’re taking a short break. Make sure your notifications are turned on so you know when I come back on.” I wave into the camera. “See you soon.”
As soon as I turn off the live, I look at Zach. I want to forgive him, I really do, but I can’t just let this go. Not yet. “What happened?”
He takes a step toward me and stops. He gestures to the camera. “I’m sorry for interrupting your live, but I was watching from the car. I was going to come in afterward, but when I saw how sad you were, I couldn’t wait.”
“I’m glad you did.”
He lifts his arms as if he’s going to reach for me and then stops and fists his hands at his sides instead. “I know I fucked up, Sky. I was stupid.” He shakes his head like he’s trying to get rid of thoughts. “First, I want you to know I’m sorry. I’m sorry I let you get hurt.”
I stutter to get the words out. “What are you talkingabout? You saved me, Zach. You didn’t let me get hurt.”
He nods. “I did. He shouldn’t have been able to get to you.”
I cut him off. “I’m the one that unlocked the door for Terry. It was my fault.”
He shakes his head and comes toward me, grabbing on to my hands. “Don’t say that. None of this is your fault. I will live the rest of my life knowing I let you down when you needed me, but I promise you, Sky, that if you let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt that I love you, because I do. I love you more than anything.”
I open my mouth, but before I can get anything out, Zach continues. “Before you decide, I should probably tell you everything.”
My heart drops. I’m not sure what he’s going to say, but I know he’s right; I need to hear it all. “Okay,” I murmur.
He holds one of my hands and puts one of his on the side of my neck. I suck in a breath. The heat of his look, the feel of his touch, all of it is just too much. He licks his lips, searching my eyes. “Sky, today, when Iwas thinking of you, I had this picture in my head. You were pregnant. Fuck, you were so beautiful, and in my mind, it was my baby you were carrying under your heart.” He trembles and cups my cheek in his hand. “I want it all. I don’t want temporary, baby. I want us. You are my everything. I dream of having my ring on your finger, building a family—a life—together.”
I want all of that too, but I’m scared. Scared that he’s going to change his mind or that he’ll figure out I’m not what he wants.
“Zach, I want all of that… I really do, but I can’t go all in and have you decide to walk away.” I lift my chin. “You broke me when you ended this, when you treated me like a job, and I don’t know if I’ll survive it again. I want to trust you…”
He leans forward, pressing his forehead to mine. It’s like I can feel the emotion inside him wrapping around us. He lifts his head, kisses my forehead, and steps back. “I’ll give you all the time you need, but I’m not leaving you again, Sky, and I promise you that I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”
I lift my hands, curling my fingers into his shirt. “Don’t make promises?—”
He tilts his head. “Don’t make promises I can’t keep?” He gives me a reassuring look. His voice is firm and self-assured. “I’m keeping every promise I make to you. Let me prove it to you.”
I put my hands on his shoulders. “How about we start with a kiss…”
He puts his hands at my waist, pulling me flush to his body. “I’m in. I’m all in.”
As soon as our lips touch, something inside me unravels. I melt against him as he deepens the kiss. The feel of him pressed against me, the way he holds me like he never wants to let me go is freeing in a way I’ve never felt before.
With my heart pounding, I force myself to pull back even though it’s the last thing I want to do. “Thank you for coming back, Zach. I know I told you to go… “
He shakes his head. “I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere.”
With a shaky smile and a racing heart, I smile. “Good. Because we have a pie to finish.”
CHAPTER 23
ZACH
I love being with Skyler in her home. Just being with her makes me happy. I can’t believe I thought I could stay away from her, but I wasn’t lying when I told her I wanted forever.
I clap my hands together. “Okay, so uh, apple pie… you know I have no idea what I’m doing, right?”
She points to the table. “You can sit and watch if you want to.”
I put a hand at her waist. “I’d like to help, but if that’s going to mess you up, then I can sit and watch.”
She giggles, and it’s the best sound. “No, I’d love for you to help me.” She points at the camera. “You’regoing to be on my ClipClap channel. The world is going to see you.”
