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She looks stunned, then her face stretches into a huge smile. “I’d really like that.”
Irelynn squeezes my hand, causing me to lower my gaze to hers. “Thank you, Max. I’d really like that.”
Emma smiles at us, then hurries from the room.
Locking eyes with Irelynn, I ask, “Are you ready to go?”
“More than ready.” As we start walking, she says, “Damian came after me, and William killed him.”
I stop, turning my body toward hers. My hands cup her face. “I’m so sorry, baby. That should have been me protecting you.”
She shakes her head. “You don’t need a murder charge against you. As it stands, you did technically shoot William, but I’m pretty sure I can convince him not to press charges.” She takes a deep breath. “I’d feel much better if you’ll be with me when—”
“Of course, beautiful. I’ll be there when you do.” I take a deep breath. “I need to thank him for saving you.”
Her lips meet mine in a long, soft kiss and everything in my world feels right again. The agony is gone and only happiness remains.
When we finally part, she slowly shakes her head, her brown eyes luminous beneath the faint lighting of the room. “You are one helluva man, Max Devlin.”
I squeeze her hands. “And you are one helluva amazing woman, beautiful.” I slide my hand away from her face, tucking a curl behind her ear. “I can’t wait to officially propose to you.”
“Officially, huh?” She throws me a teasing grin.
I scoff, a scowl marring my face. “You don’t think that was my proposal? Rescuing you, then shooting your captor, and I didn’t drop to my knee, holding out a diamond? That’s no damn way to ask you to be my wife.” My face softens. “You know my motto, baby. Go big or go home.”
She laughs. “I do. And I’m looking forward to whatever it is you have up your sleeve.”
I grab her hand, tugging her from this creepy house. “And you’ll never guess what it is.”
She groans. “I’m not even gonna try.”
Throwing a wink over my shoulder, we head through the side door I came in earlier. “You’re learning, my love.”
As we step into the cool night air, she tugs on my hand, stopping me. Pointing up at the night sky that is now lined with stars, the full moon shining bright, she says, “I thought we were going to get a storm. It must have gone around us.”
She breathes deeply, closing her eyes.
When she opens them, she steps into my embrace, squeezing me tightly. “I just really needed to hold you beneath the stars again.”
I squeeze her tighter, tears in my eyes. “I was worried I wouldn’t get to do this again.” Pulling back slightly, I sway her gently beneath the stars. “We will always enjoy the night sky together, baby. For the rest of our lives.”
She blinks, tears falling from her eyes. “Yes, we will.”
We stand there, holding one another, our gaze fixed on the night sky. And I say a silent thank you to the heavens above for answering my prayers. I have her back—and I’m never letting her go again.
Slowly, my eyes blink open against the harsh fluorescent lights, confused why I’m—
Fuck. I’m still in the damned hospital.
And that was just a fucking dream.
Tears fill my eyes and slide down my cheeks, my heart bereft. I clench the blankets in my hands, hopelessness mixing with gratitude.
I’m glad to be alive, but that dream felt so fucking real.
I could smell her, feel her, taste her lips.
“Hey, you’re awake.” Darin pushes open the door, his smile fading when he sees my tears. He shuts the door, then hurries over to me. “Are you okay, man? Should I call the nurse?”
