AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Where are you?”
“I just crossed into the park.”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
* * *
I saw the Jeep parked to the side in the first pull-off inside Grand Tetons National Park. I squinted. Must be the passenger side that had the flat because the tires on the driver’s side looked fine.
I slowed and pulled in behind her, déjà vu bringing me back to the day we met.
Her door opened, and she got out, the breeze catching hair and blowing a strand across her face. The sight of her made my blood heat like it always did, but this time, the look in her eyes hit me straight in the gut.
No turning back now.
“You okay?” I went to her, and it took all my strength not to pull her into my arms.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just the tire…” She trailed off and led me around to the other side of the Jeep.
My brow creased, and I looked from the front tire to the back and then back to the front.
“Reese…” I stood up.
Neither of them were flat.
“I’m sorry,” she said and bit her lip. “I lied to you.”
“About the tire?”I didn’t understand.
“About not wanting to be with you.”
My heart seized. I couldn’t have heard her right. “What?” I croaked.
She took a step toward me, lifting her chin. “I said I didn’t want to be with you because I was afraid—afraid I couldn’t be independent and in love at the same time. Afraid of what I’d put at risk if I thought about staying.”
It was my turn to take a step closer. “And now?”
“Now, my biggest fear is letting you go.” Her throat bobbed, a single tear trickling down her cheek. “I want to stay, Decker. I want to stay with you.”
My jaw clenched, and I inhaled deeply, my chest straining with the swell of emotion. I’d come here prepared to fight for her—for us. But the fight was already won.
“Say something,” she pleaded softly.
I reached into my back pocket, pulled out the folded boarding pass, and handed it to her. Her eyes went wide when she opened it, her hand pressing to her mouth as a small cry escaped.
And then she was in my arms, her arms twined around my shoulders and her head buried in my neck.
“You weren’t going to get rid of me that easily,” I muttered, pressing soft kisses to her skin.
“No?” she asked, her laugh watery as she drew back. “I thought it was supposed to be easy to get rid of a fake boyfriend.”
I pulled her hips a little tighter to mine so she could feel me—feel how I wanted her.
“Nothing fake about me, baby,” I said and claimed her mouth, kissing her long and deep until she sagged against me, and the little moans she made had me seriously considering laying her down in the back seat and having my way with her. “I love you, Reese.”
“I love you, too.”
* * *
