To hear her name rumble from Connor’s mouth nearly dropped Aspen to her knees.
This giving, kind, beast of a man literally opened his heart to Aspen and let his true self pour out.
She was humbled.She was in love.Tears began flowing, her voice hitched.
“I am so sorry, Connor,” Aspen gasped, forgetting the game.“You were simply trying to help me and, instead of working with you and considering your ideas, I pushed you away.You are so brave for your willingness to help me, to want to be with me, after all you’ve been through.There’s no other place I ever want to be than by your side.You are perfect.”
Silence extended between them, and, instead of bending to hug her or making a move of any kind, Connor stood ramrod straight.
Could she have read this situation so wrong?
“I’m not perfect, Aspen, and there is so much that lives inside me that’s broken.I feel broken,” Connor whispered, pain radiating from his body in thick waves.
“You’renotbroken, Connor.You’re one of the most incredible men I’ve had the honor to know, let alone love.”Tears began rolling down her face as joy bubbled up inside.“The fact you called me by my name, let alone consider having me in your life.I’m speechless.”
“Oh, you’re in my life, Aspen.I can honestly say, I wouldn’t be where I am today without your sassiness.Your kindness.Your forgiveness.”
Connor picked up one of the cupcakes and set the box holding the rest of the goodies on a bench sitting beneath the front window on the porch.
“I’m about to enjoy a cupcake with the woman I love,” Connor held the cupcake between them.They both leaned in to take a bite and savored the moment that was so much bigger than a mix of baking ingredients.“Now, I’m going to take my box of sweets inside and eat my other cupcake ‘til I’m full.”
Connor yanked Aspen close and kissed her hard, tangling his fingers deep into her siren-like curls, their tongues twining together.
“I also have a lead on a refurbished air conditioner will set you back about two hundred bucks since I happen to know a guy who can install.”
“Would that guy happen to be a hulking hockey player with muscles for miles and a wicked mouth?
“Come inside and let me show you.We’ll negotiate the terms of your surrender.”
“We’ll see about that, Connor.We’ll see about that.”
Connor ushered her into his house, grabbing his box of sweet treats on the way.
She stepped over the threshold of Connor’s house.A simple act that took her breath away because she knew at this exact moment it was her forever.
Epilogue
