Page 101 of Promise

“Not that much.” She lowers her eyelids and finishes her glass, then sets it on the table behind her. “But seriously, Dart. You’re kind and strong. You’re so good with Mirabelle.”

I smile, appreciating the praise. “But am I good enough for you?”

She shakes her head. “You have never not been good enough, Dart.” She waves toward the screen. “I didn’t need that. Accolades or money to prove to me that you were exactly what I needed. Who I wanted.”

I pause, staring at her. She’s so fierce. So adamant. I was enough for her as I was.

“Those victories felt meaningless without you there, Trin.”

“But you were happier without me.” She leans forward, and I catch her shoulders.

“No. No,” I say louder a second time. “I was not happier without you.”

“It took three years and another accident to bring you back to me,” she says quietly.

I shake my head again. “That accident scared me. Might have broken me a little bit, but it was not the reason I returned. I never stopped thinking about you, wanting you with me.”

My head hadn’t been in that last race, and Max knew it. He’d noticed even before it happened.

You’re distracted, he’d said.

I was lonely. But I hadn’t been able to admit it to him.

“Your accidents scared me too,” she says quietly, leaning toward me and setting her head against my sternum.

“Oh, baby,” I whisper, running my hand up her back and cupping her nape. “I’m here now.”

She lifts her head, eyes big and bright, with a question in them. Her mouth opens, but she shuts it like she can’t say what’s on her mind or ask any more questions.

However, I have one for her. “Why did you record them? The races?”

She shrugs, glancing at the television. “I missed you.” Slowly, she glances back at me. “I just wanted to be a small part of your world.”

“Baby,” I sigh again. “I missed you, too. So, so much. You’re the best part of my life. The only part that truly matters. You and Mirabelle. And I’m so grateful you’ve let me be a part of your lives.”

More grateful than she’ll ever know. She’s given me a second chance. One I don’t want to fuck up.

“I want to be a part of your world, Trin. Yours and Mirabelle’s. And I want you to be a part of mine.”

Her gaze latches onto mine.

“Forever,” I whisper.

She fists my shirt and pulls me closer, bringing her mouth to mine in a sweeping kiss. One that’s instantly open-mouthed and all tongue and taking the breath from me before she pulls back.

“You know what else, Dart Rivers?”

I arch a brow, knowing she’s about to enlighten me.

“You’re too sexy for my own good.”

“I’m too sexy for you?” I tease, leaning back and letting my gaze roam down that flirty little country dress with a string just above her breasts and her knees below the hem.

Have kneecaps ever been sexier?

Plus, my ball cap on her head. I tug the hat off her head and flip it backward on mine. “I think you got that wrong, Forever.” I run my hands up her sides, setting my thumbs beneath her breasts. “You’re the sexy one.”

“Then why haven’t you had sex with me again?”