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‘I told you, let go of your past.’ She took that final step.
Her toes pushed against his, her breath rippled over the skin in the small V of his chest, where his shirt was unbuttoned. Then higher, as she tilted her head to look at him.
‘What happens if I hurt you?’
She took his face in her hands and he felt every last inch of that old, familiar, unwelcome glacier in his chest crack and slide away.
‘And what happens if you don’t?’ she whispered.
* * *
His hands came up to hold hers, then hauled her to him. Elle had no idea how long they stood entwined, as though he never wanted to let her go. She only knew she didn’t want to move, didn’t even want to breathe heavily in case it shattered the perfect moment.
Her little home suddenly felt more alive than she’d ever known it. Fitz filled the space, the air crackling around them, and it felt like the place could barely contain him. Or maybe it could barely contain all that flowed between them. She’d always hated anyone in her home. It had always been her sanctuary, her personal space from the world. Her real life away from the ever-increasing opulence of Stevie’s luxury bachelor pads. This had been her perfect home, and only her best friend Fliss had ever been welcome.
And now Fitz.
Somehow it felt as though he’d always belonged here.
‘I want to promise you everything,’ he murmured into her hair, his hand cupping her head like she was the most precious thing in the world to him. ‘You make me feel things I never knew existed before. Like what I thought was important isn’t as significant any more, and yet things I never gave a second thought to are suddenly vital. Like anything is possible as long as you are by my side.’
He shook his head, still trying to fathom it.
‘You make me feel cherished,’ she added simply.
Her words humbled him and yet made his chest swell with pride all at once.
‘But we’ve both said in the past that words mean nothing without actions to back them up.’
‘So don’t say them,’ she whispered. ‘You’ve already told me you love me, and that’s enough for now. We’ll work on the rest through actions, deal?’
‘Agreed. But for the record, can I tell you one thing again?’ His voice rumbled low against her cheek now, and she shivered in anticipation. ‘Because I don’t ever want to tire of saying it. I love you, Major Gabriella Caplin.’
‘I love you, too.’ She drew her head back, her smile freezing on her lips, her breath catching in her throat.
She didn’t want to talk any more. She wanted something else entirely. Fitz’s eyes were dark, intense, hungry. But there was something else, too. Something more. Promises he couldn’t yet articulate and she wasn’t ready to hear. Like they’d agreed. Actions. Not words.
‘Enough talking,’ he muttered abruptly, bringing his mouth down to claim hers with a fire she hoped would never be quenched. He kissed her with all the unspoken words that lay between them. He kissed her with all the possession she needed to make her feel wanted. He kissed her with all his flawed yet perfect heart.
And when he finally, reluctantly pulled away, she felt strangely bereft. Just like that first night.
‘There was one other thing I brought,’ he said suddenly. ‘Wait here.’
She watched as he slid the keys from the basket on her hall stand and dashed out to the car. And then he was back and the palm-sized pretty velvet box in his hands made her stomach flip-flop. A tiny bit of excitement, a lot of fear, but mainly with disappointment.
Because he didn’t know her at all after all. She wasn’t ready for this yet. It wasn’t right.
‘When did you do this?’ she asked nervously, hoping he couldn’t tell she was stalling.
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‘In Razorwire. It’s where I got the box. It’s odd the things some people send in care packages.’
He was edgy too, she realised. But it didn’t help. She licked her lips.
‘Fitz, this is—’
‘Just open it, Elle,’ he insisted quietly.
