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I tilt my head sideways and pin him with my best death glare. “And decided to hook up with your ex? Is that where you’re headed? To meet up with Hadley?”
“No.” He jams a hand through his hair, leaving it standing on edge. “I didn’t know she was back in town. Apparently, the grass wasn’t green on the other side, and she moved back, expecting to pick up where we left off.”
I swallow hard as my hands ball into fists. “And you said?”
“I said….” His eyes meet mine. “I said no. I told her I wasn’t interested in rekindling anything, and we weren’t a good match, and she knew it.”
“And that’s what you want?” A door slams shut in the parking lot, breaking our window of solitude.
He steps back and rolls his shoulders as he puts distance between us. Two guys from his class holler at us and wave as they traipse to the front entrance and disappear inside.
“I don’t have any desire to get back together with Hadley.” He licks his lips and inhales. “But I can’t keep seeing you.”
“Okay.” My legs buckle. Does this mean he wants to break up? Would it even be breaking up? I was stupid to believe we could make it work. I scrub my palms on my jeans. What am I supposed to say? Hey, everything’s fine. Thanks for the two months of knocking my socks off sex. I’ll never forget it. But I can’t say anything. The words, all words, are lodged in my throat.
“Harbor.” He moves into my space and takes my breath away. I can’t do this. I shift to my left, but he grabs my upper arm with one hand and cups my face with the other, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I can’t keep seeing you in secret. I love you. I’ve always loved you, and I don’t question for one second if you’re the person I want to be with.” He swallows and takes a breath. “But I can’t keep seeing you if you don’t feel the same way. Or if you don’t want people to know we’re together. I want us to be out in the open. No matter what the consequences are.” His thumb brushes over a tear that’s sliding down my cheek as I stare at him in complete awe. “I don’t care if Connor never speaks to me again. I love him, and he’s my best friend, but you’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.” He pauses and raises his eyebrows when I don’t speak. But the world is spinning around me. Ten minutes ago, I thought he wanted to stop seeing me and get back together with Hadley. Now, we’re standing here, and he’s telling me he was mad because he thought I didn’t want to go public.
“Asshole.” I finally find my voice and fake punch him in the gut. “I thought you were breaking up with me.” I glare at him for a couple of beats longer before throwing my arms around his neck and pulling his face down to mine. “I love you, and I don’t care who knows. I would’ve told you that earlier if I thought you were ready for that also….” I give him a pointed look. “And if you wouldn’t have acted like a jerk all night.”
He chuckles and elevates my feet off the ground. “Please forgive me for being an asshole. You make me crazy.”
“Fine.” I laugh and wrap my legs around him. When his lips land on mine, I close my eyes and fall into the moment. I thread my hands through his hair as he traces the seam of my lips. My heart races in my chest. This is it. We’re officially a couple. My tongue dances with his until we’re both gasping for air.
“Inside?” He tips his head toward the bar.
“You want to have sex inside the bar?”
“Pip.” His eyes glow with laughter and desire. “I’d have sex with you anywhere, but I was asking if you wanted to go back inside?”
“No.” I drop my feet back down to the ground. “I think we should talk to Connor first, and he left when you were talking to Hadley.”
“Okay.” He rests his forehead against mine. “I didn’t realize he left. And I agree, he’s the first person we should tell.”
“Then, I have a better idea.” I bite my bottom lip and shift back onto my heels. “Let’s go to your place and makeup. I hear makeup sex is phenomenal.”
“Do you want me to put on eye shadow or put it on you?”
“You’re an idiot.” I laugh and smack his chest. “But one of these days, I’m going to take you up on it.” I run my thumb along his cheekbone. “You’d look amazing with some blush right here. And some mascara, here.” I flick his eyelashes.
“Hmm….” He pulls me back to him and wraps his arms around me. “That sounds fun, but I’d rather make love to my girlfriend all night instead.”
“You’re on.” I slip from his embrace and lace my fingers through his. “Let me grab my bags. My car will be fine here overnight. I don’t want you to slip away and go hook up with Hadley.”
He stops in his tracks, causing me to topple sideways and re-right myself. My stomach flips when he cups my face. “I’m serious. You’re it for me. And don’t ever doubt that. I was a fool not to tell Connor to mind his own business, four years ago. But I have no intention of ever making that mistake again. You’re mine.”
I shudder and melt into a puddle of happiness and lust as the feral look in his eyes sends a jolt of electricity through me. So, this is what it feels like to be worshipped by a muscular fireman with an oversized hose and a heart the size of his firetruck. It feels amazing.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Cole
After I shut the door, I cradle her face and stare into her eyes. It’s surreal to realize we’re together. That this isn’t a one-night stand. Or a series of hook ups. This is–us, and it doesn’t matter if Connor hates it; we’re in this together.
“What?”
“I’m just looking at you.”
“I haven’t changed since we were standing outside the bar.”
