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He didn’t stir.

She rolled onto her front until she was half-covering him and ran her hand over his body, looking for any serious injuries.

He hadn’t been shot. Apexians could heal from almost anything, but he was covered in bruises and blood. He must have put up a hell of a fight when he’d seen her get shot.

The tears continued to fall as she looked at his handsome face, marked by blows. This was a face she’d gotten so used to having around. She never wanted it out of her life. She couldn’t imagine going a day not seeing Blaze. He’d become a part of her without even trying. He’d just fit into place.

Her tears dripped onto him. She’d expected to grieve when he left the crew and returned to his family, but she never expected to lose him this way.

Eden closed her eyes and let the defeat wash over her. It was an old, unwelcome feeling that conjured a memory of her mom telling her she’d always fail at whatever she did. And she was right. Eden had lived by the rule her mom instilled in her. Live fast, die young. It all felt like an enormous waste. And that was stupid.

This whole time, she thought she’d been living, but all she’d been doing was avoiding the epic, scary reality by staying on the edges of everything she did. She didn’t commit to any relationships. She had friends but kept even them at arm’s length for fear that letting them in would lead to betrayal.

And Blaze. Her heart throbbed at all the things she’d done to keep him from getting to her. She’d always kept him away, thinking it was better for him not to get tangled in her messy life. She never thought she was good enough for him. Even more so when she learned about the responsibilities he had to his family. How could one messed up woman measure up to something like that?

Blaze had a golden future in front of him. And Eden still couldn’t believe he seriously wanted her. But she wanted him. She needed him in her life forever. Even if that was only for another few hours.

And he’d proven himself time and time again. Eden couldn’t hide from the truth any longer. She loved him, too. She’d tried so hard to stop it from happening, but he’d never given up on her. He’d always just been Blaze. Her tough warrior with a charming, kind side she’d never believed in. And it had all been real.

Eden inched up to his mouth and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “I’m sorry for all the times I pushed you away. I’m sorry for not believing in you. I pretended it didn’t mean anything, but it did. Blaze, you mean everything to me. I wish I hadn’t left it too late to tell you that I love you.”

He shifted beneath her, and she tensed.

“Blaze?” His name came out as a whisper on her breath.

A soft sigh slid from his lips. “I’d recognize that scent anywhere. Keep talking. I like it when you talk.”

She choked out a laugh. “I thought you were dying.”

“I feel like I am. But I can still hear you. It makes me feel better knowing you’re still with me.”

Her heart ricocheted in her chest. It felt starkly real now that Blaze had heard her innermost thoughts. She pressed her lips together and lowered her head to his chest.

Blaze sighed again. He lifted one arm and slid it around her. “It’s not easy facing the truth. Sometimes, it feels like it makes more sense to keep fighting and living for the now. Take on the next mission and don’t think about anything beyond that. I’ve been doing that with my family.”

Eden curled against him, too scared to let go. “I always thought commitment was overrated.”

“I know. You think life is all about having fun, because you could be dead tomorrow. And that philosophy works for some.”

She shook her head, grazing her chin across his chest. “No, it doesn’t. At least it doesn’t for me. I’ve missed so much by living my life this way. I’ve missed being with you.”

“You’ve got me. You always had. From the moment we met, there was something about you that had me focused. I never noticed any other women.”

“Not even Georgia? She’s gorgeous.”

“She is, but if I did notice, I always compared them to you. When I was looking at the files my parents sent me with the matches, you were the comparison.”

“Wow! You set the bar low.”

His hand tightened against her back. “Don’t do that. You’re incredible. You never give up on something you believe in. You’re always fighting. You protect your friends, you protect me, and you protect the animals. You’re fun, smart, and as sexy as hell.”

Eden ducked her head, fighting her urge to call him out as a liar.

“You’ve been taken advantage of in the past. You’re right to be cautious. But don’t let that stop you from finding happiness,” Blaze said.

A pain worse than Eden’s throbbing shoulder leached through her. She’d been such a fool. All this time, happiness had been right in front of her, but she’d kept rejecting it and letting her past hurts dominate her life and stop her from moving forward.

Eden looked up at Blaze, and her breath caught in her throat. His eyes were open, and he was looking at her. His vivid purple eyes were dull, but the intensity in his gaze still made her heart clench.