Page 118 of Lucky Haven

“You’re such a good man,” I whisper. “Worthy of love.”

“I feel guilty for wanting your love,” he mumbles into my neck.

My heart squeezes. “What will it cost me? My reputation as a righteous, Godly woman?”

He groans and kisses my collarbone, right beside where the gold crucifix my mother gave me sits. “Yes.”

“You know, Jeb never asked me about my faith. Not when I returned to Dragonfly Creek, not at any point over the last six months. Definitely not tonight, when he held a knife to my throat. He didn’t even register the cross I still wear.”

Cash’s groan turns feral and his grip on me tightens.

“But you asked me about my faith. You care.”

“I love you so much.” He presses his face tighter against me. “I just want you to be happy.”

“With you, I will be. I don’t care about my reputation. What else will it cost me?”

“I hurt you. I got a chance to have you, to love you, and I couldn’t fucking say it until your life was in danger.”

“My life isn’t in danger right now. Say it again.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too. And whatever that looks like⁠—”

“I want forever.” He’s sure of that. It’s staggeringly clear in his voice, despite the weight of that desire. He wants forever with me, no matter the cost.

“Tell me more.” I kiss his brow. “Tell me what you want.”

“I want to read with you. Cook with you. Make you laugh.”

“Yes.”

“I want to have a home of our own. Here on the ranch. I want a big bed, so I can hold you every night, and our kids can pile in with us in the morning.”

“Kids?”

“Am I getting ahead of myself? Because if you don’t want⁠—”

“I want.” I swallow hard at the wave of shock that rolls over me. How foolish I was not to seek him out tonight, to tell him about my suspicions. To hold his hand as I confronted Kaitlyn.

I came so close, too close, to never finding out that Cash Kincaid wants babies with me.

“I want a family with you.” My voice cracks. “I want that so much.”

“Then we’ll do that when you’re ready. And we’ll read them all the books, and teach them to cook, and⁠—”

I cut him off with a kiss. Yes, all of that.

He’s so gentle with me. His words, and his dreams for the future, and his kisses.

I need more.

“You love me,” I whisper against his mouth.

“So, so much.” He groans and tugs my dress down to my waist, as if he’s just remembered he was getting us ready for a shower.

I smile and wind my arms around his neck. “So love me, Cash.”