Page 82 of Lethal Salvation

“Yes.”

The bar was silent as each person listened into the conversation and he didn’t care, he’d shout what he had to say from the rooftops.

She grasped his biceps and even that little touch sent his heart into his throat.

“What? Tell me?”

“I can’t sleep, I can’t eat. I’ve taken to wearing grey joggers all day every day just because it makes me think of you. You’re not with me and it’s wrong. This isn’t how it should be.”

Her lips wobbled and she blinked hard, and he was done keeping his hands off her. He stepped into her space and looped his arms around her hips, drawing her close so not even a gnat could get between them. “I’ve missed you so damn much.”

A tear broke free and rolled down her cheek and he knew he’d chop his own balls off before he caused her another.

He thumbed it away and took her lips gently. “Don’t cry, Cookie. Don’t ever cry over me.”

“I miss you too.”

“Well, that stops now.”

“How so?”

“I sold Cavendish Enterprises. I’m now officially jobless and in ten days’ time I’ll be homeless.”

“You what?”

Her screech was louder than he expected, and he chuckled as he lifted her off her feet and slowly swung her around. “I realised, with the help of some people who love you almost as much as I do, that you’re my home. I belong wherever you are.”

“We love her more, bozo.”

He chuckled as Duchess looked over his shoulder toward Snow before raising her eyebrows. “Is this real?”

“As real as it gets. I can’t live without you, Nadia. Please don’t make me.”

“I can’t believe you sold the company that you worked so hard for, just for me.”

He rubbed his nose against her cheek. “I’d do anything for you. Even lie in front of a herd of stampeding elephants.”

“Random.”

He chuckled. “I’ll explain later.”

He dipped his head and took her lips in a kiss where he let every ounce of emotion for her free. He made a promise to her and himself in that kiss that he’d never leave her or make her feel less again.

“I love you, Nadia.”

“I love you too, you big oaf.”

“Wow, now the insults start? Okay, I can take it.”

“Come meet my friends.”

He let her lead him toward the throng of people, some he knew and others only by sight. But all of them loved her, just none as much as he did. As soon as he could plan it, he was going to pop the question and nail this down because he was never going to risk losing her again.

* * *

“Miss Rose, are you sure it says to put this much sugar in the recipe?”

He didn’t know what he’d been thinking but since the night three months ago when he’d arrived here in Longtown to throw himself on the mercy of the woman who completed him, he’d been accepted in a way he hadn’t seen coming.