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He looks pissed now, and I feel myself shriveling. “But you’d be safe…”
Cash frowns at me, his brows winging down. “Ariana Quinn.”
Eeep. Last names are never good. I squeak out, “Yes?”
“I love you. I. Love. You. More than anyone I’ve ever loved in my life.” His gaze softens. “And I know you’re scared, and you’re feeling guilty—which you shouldn’t—so I’m cutting you a break here. But I can’t believe you would ever think I’d justleaveyou.”
“I—”
“Shh.” His fingers press over my lips. “Listen. I am going to tell you some things that are the absolute truth. One, I love you, and I am not leaving you. Period. And second, none of this is your fault. None. Of. It. I will not allow you to keep blaming yourself.”
“And sweetheart.” His voice gentles. “You’ve been through a terrible time, and I wish more than anything that I could take that away. But you’ve also been incredibly brave. And soon, the trial will be over, and you can walk away knowing you did what you felt was right. Whatisright. And you’ll be walking away with me by your side.”
“What about…”
“What, honey?”
“After. When the trial is… do you still want…” I trail off, another fear closing my throat.
Cash frames my face, brushing at the salty streaks on my cheeks. His eyes fill with love. “Ari, I want you to stay here. Not just now. After. For as long as you want to stay here. I love you being here. I don’t want you to leave.”
A spark kindles and warms in my chest, chasing away some of the chill that’s been shaking me. “I don’t want to leave, either.” I snuggle into his neck again, needing the comfort of his warm skin, the reassuring beat of his heart against mine. “I want to stay here with you.”
His hand strokes down my hair, achingly gentle. “I love you, Ari. So much.”
“I love you, too.”
I’mnotsureI’mup for a surprise tonight.
But after Cash was so sweet and patient with me earlier, I didn’t have the heart to say no. Not after he calmed me down and cuddled me, cleaned up my mountain of tissues, brought me water and ibuprofen for the headache I got from crying, and he told me he loved me at least fifty times.
After all of that, he got up with this glint in his eye and said, “Okay, why don’t you rest for a bit? Take a shower, a nap, read a little… and I’m going to come back up here to get you in a couple of hours.”
“What’s in a couple of hours?” I asked.
“A surprise.” My stomach dipped, but Cash looked so pleased about it, I had to say yes.
So one shower, a short nap, and fifty pages of a cheesy Christmas romance novel later, I’m waiting for Cash to come upstairs to reveal his surprise.
I’m just hoping he didn’t invite people over. I’m still feeling raw and tender, and I don’t feel up to being around anyone but Cash right now. But if he did invite his friends, I’ll make the best of it.
But if his surprise is watching movies and cuddling, I’d much prefer that.
A light knock at the door announces my impending surprise. After a moment, the door cracks open and Cash pokes his head inside. His gaze lands on me, quickly appraising. I can tell he’s looking to see if I was crying again.
He crosses the room, sitting on the bed beside me. “How are you doing, hun?”
“I’m okay.” I give him a little smile. “But you don’t have to knock to come into your own bedroom, you know.”
Cash cups my cheek, leaning in to brush a quick kiss across my lips. “I didn’t want to startle you by coming in without any warning.”
Oh. This man. I hug him hard. “Thank you.”
His arms come around me, solid and warm and comforting. After a moment, he asks, “How’s your headache? Are you up to coming downstairs?”
“It’s all gone.” Pulling away from him, I meet his gaze. “What do you have planned downstairs?”
Enthusiasm lights his eyes. “It’s a surprise.”
