Page 148 of Peaks and Promises

“That’s not what I was going to say.”

“Then, what? Do you think Mayhem will still bother me? I guess it’s possible, but I highly doubt it.”

“No, that’s not what I’m worried about.”

“Then what is it?”

“I love you.”

My breath caught, and for a second, I couldn’t move—just blinked at him in surprise. “What did you say?”

His eyes widened, as if he was as surprised by what he’d said as I was. “I love you. I know we’re not actually married. That this was all for show. But none of it has been fake to me. Not a single thing. Every time I kissed you, every time I touched you, I meant it. And I would do anything for you.”

I couldn’t get a word out around the lump in my throat. I simply stared at him in disbelief.

“I don’t deserve you,” he continued. “But I love you. Tell me to stay, and I will. I’ll stay with you and I’ll never, ever let you go.”

My voice shook. “Promise?”

“I promise.” He closed the distance between us and cupped my cheeks. “If you want me, I’ll love you forever.”

“I do want you. I love you so much, I feel like I could drown in it.”

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me tight against him as our mouths met in a deep kiss. In moments, our clothes fell to the floor, and I lost myself in the heat of his body melding with mine.

We’d slept together before, but this time was different. His low growls of pleasure were peppered with I love yous, and he caressed me with reverence. He loved me with everything he had, and I opened for him, drawing him deep inside me. I clung to him while he drove me up the bed, moaning without inhibition.

I was his, and he was mine.

Our bodies moved in a steady rhythm until we were both on the brink. He paused, breathing hard, and brought his mouth to mine in a decadent kiss. I trembled, pulsing beneath him, until he thrust hard. Crying out, I burst into a million pieces as we came together, as if we were one.

When it was over, he kissed me again—soft and gentle.

“I meant it, too,” I said. “Every time.”

Brushing his nose against mine, he smiled. “I really don’t deserve any of this.”

“Yes, you do.” I reached up to brush his stubbly jaw with the backs of my fingers, right across his scar. “You’re a good man, Reese Haven. The best I’ve ever known. Sure, you made mistakes and did things you aren’t proud of. That doesn’t mean you don’t deserve love.”

“You deserve that, too. Someone who’ll love you and do anything to protect you. And your son.”

“Which is why I want you. I’ve been torn to pieces lately, thinking this was almost over. Wondering how I would live without you.”

He kissed me again. “You’ll never have to. I promise.”

With happy tears stinging my eyes, I smiled. I knew him well enough to know he was a man who never made a promise he didn’t intend to keep.

CHAPTER 36

Reese

Deciding to stay had lifted a weight from my shoulders, one that had been heavier than I’d ever realized. I still didn’t fully believe I deserved forgiveness, but my family had given it to me anyway. The least I could do was accept it.

Free from the crush of guilt, a new possibility opened in front of me. I could stay.

From the beginning, the idea of a life with Summer had called to a deep place inside me. I’d tried to ignore it. To push it aside as something not meant for me. But as soon as I said it—as soon as I told her I loved her—everything changed.

I had no problem uprooting my life and starting over in my hometown. There were logistics to figure out. I’d need to go back to Arizona to deal with my house—move out and sell it.