Page 57 of Never Going to Care

I nod mutely and I know the guys share a look, but I can’t focus on it to figure it out. I think they say a few more things, but a buzzing has started in my ears. My eyes slide closed, trying to block everything out.

The next thing I know, I’m inside my apartment, cradled in Hale’s lap as his fingers run through my hair. He’s murmuring sweet words and promises. He brings me back from that place where darkness was swirling around me.

My voice sounds like I just drank sand, “Did that really just happen?”

When I peek up at Hale, he grimaces and nods solemnly. “It did. I’m so glad I was here to have your back, Celeste.” He kisses my forehead and I sigh at the contact. “I don’t know what I would have done if you would have been hurt.”

He leaves theor worseunsaid and I think I fall in love with him a little bit more because of it.

“I’m sorry,” my voice cracks with the words.

Hale’s voice is fierce, “What the fuck do you have to be sorry about?”

I shrug a shoulder, knowing I’m being ridiculous, but feeling the need to apologize all the same. Hale’s hand comes up and cups my cheek, tilting my head up so I’m looking into his eyes. His dark eyes travel over my features, memorizing me.

“You have nothing to be sorry about,” he gently coaxes me with his words. “That man was fixated on you. I’m just glad he was fired before he did something to hurt you.”

I cling to Hale a little tighter, wanting to scramble up his body and melt into him. I know he could help me disappear right now. He’s right though, it could have been worse. A lot worse.

Hale was here and he had my back. Joe never did anything more than make me uncomfortable at the office. It’s not okay or right, but that could have been worse too.

“Getting fired must have sent him over the edge,” I whisper.

Hale makes a humming sound before peppering my face with kisses. The contact has me relaxing and taking some deep breaths. I feel more level than I did before and I’m okay. Joe didn’t hurt me, but he did freak me out and it’s okay for me to feel that.

“That ruined the whole reason I wanted you to bring me here,” I’m sullen as fuck now that I’m not freaking out.

“Oh?” The hope in Hale’s voice as me smiling.

I never would have imagined the grump I met that first day could express so much hope in a single word.

I nod slowly. “I wanted to ask you about taking more of my things to your place. I don’t think,” I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I don’t think two weeks is going to be long enough because I love you Hale Torres and I don’t want to be anywhere without you.”

Hale freezes for a heartbeat and then he’s surging into me and kissing me with all the love I know he feels for me. I could live off his kisses. I think I just might for the rest of my life.

CHAPTER 19

HALE

She loves me. Celeste. Starlight. Loves. Me.

Holy shit. I kiss my woman like it’s the last one. She makes my mind blank in the best of ways. She calms me while making my heart race at the same time.

I love her.

Wait. I kissed her, but I didn’t say anything. I rip my lips away from hers and we both take a big lungful of air. There are questions in her eyes, and I know why they’re there.

“I love you, my Starlight,” I tell her softly even though I want to shout it from the rooftops.

“Yeah?” Her eyes sparkle as she looks up at me.

I press my forehead against hers and soak up the moment. “I’ve loved you from the moment you stood over that conference room table and sassed the hell out of me. I didn’t realize it and I fought against it because falling in love with you, being enough for you, scared me. Then I realized what I was giving up by being afraid.”

She huffs out a small laugh. “For a stoic grump you certainly have a way with words.”

I bark out a laugh and hug her against my chest tighter. I never want to let her go. I won’t let her go. Fucking never.

“I’m serious.” I pull back enough from her face so she can see how serious I am. “I wanted to tell you so many times, but I didn’t want to rush you. I could see how you were holding yourself back.” She opens her mouth as if to explain and I cut her off with a shake of my head. “You don’t need to tell me why. I get it. We all have pasts and reasons for protecting ourselves and it doesn’t matter now.”

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