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Dee looked me straight in the eye. She weighed her words as she straightened her shoulders, her chin lifting in defiance. “I needed to think about some things, and I needed some space . . . from you . . . to do it.”
“I get you needed space,” I said bitterly, reacting to the sudden chill in her tone. “And I think I’ve given youplentyof space since the amazing kiss we shared outside the stadium.”
Instead of answering, Dee tried to reach past me to unlock the door. I stood in the way, blocking all access. Heaving out a frustrated snarl, she tried to push past me to try again, but I stood firm. I wasn’t the kind of man who normally did this. I didn’t hold women hostage. And yes, it felt wrong to literally trap her in here, but I was out of options. We needed to settle this. If Dee had her way, she’d continue to ignore me for the next however many years until one of us retired.
“Why won’t you talk to me?” I asked, softer this time. “What is it? What’s holding you back? You can talk to me, baby. There’s nothing you can’t tell me.” I stroked her cheek, savoring its petal softness. Dee melted into my touch before tensing back up.
“I’m . . . I’m scared,” she admitted. “Is that so hard to understand?” She looked downward to avoid my gaze. I drank her in. Dee was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Strong, independent, and so fucking confident in everything, even now. She was a force to be reckoned with and that left me breathless. Yet, I saw the side she tried so hard to hide from the outside world. A wounded baby bird who was hesitant to leave the cozy comfort of the nest because she was frightened that she might fall again and get hurt. Didn’t she know I wouldneverlet her fall? No matter where or when, I’d catch her. I’d be her safety net.
“I know you’re scared,” I said softly again as my hands went to her waist and I pulled her into my body. “I’m scared too. Trust me, if anyone knows what you’re going through, it’s me, but I hope you know I will never do what he did. I would rather die than hurt you like that.”
When Dee finally looked up at me, her eyes shone with unshed tears. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
I nodded.
“And you’re sure you’re not going to dump me in a few years when someone better happens by?” A lock of hair fell over her face. I brushed it back, gently tucking it behind her ear before I ran my knuckles down her other cheek.
“Why would I want someone else when I’ve got the best woman in the world?”
Dee didn’t answer. Instead, she stared deeply into my eyes for a beat. That was before she attacked me. I barely had time to blink before her lips and that amazing body were pressed to mine. Her hands were buried in my hair as her mouth moved over mine, her kiss so passionate it literally stripped the air from my lungs. A delighted shiver wrapped itself around the base of my spine and that was it. The moment I had been aching for. Dee wasfinallyin my arms. Nothing was stopping me from taking what I wanted. This woman was mine and by the time I was done with her, she wouldn’t remember what’s-his-face’s name.
Cupping her face between my hands, I took control, quickly turning our passionate kiss into something ravenous. Something desperate, out-of-control, brimming with hunger, desire, and need. Dee whimpered against my lips as I slipped my tongue into the soft cavern of her mouth, tangling it with hers.
“Travis, I—” she panted heavily as I kept kissing her.
“You don’t have to say anything, baby. I know,” I huffed out hoarsely before returning to the sweetness of her mouth.
Needing her closer, I slid my hands down from her face to the backs of her thighs. Grasping them, I lifted her up, putting her hot, pulsing heat against me. Dee groaned as she wrapped those long, sexy legs around my waist, grinding her pussy against my already hard cock.
Fuck. This woman was going to kill me. Wild, brave, and so fucking confident, Dee gave as good as she got. Her hands tugged my hair with each caress of her tongue, tugging it just enough to stoke my arousal, but not enough to where it hurt. Consumed by her, I drank from her lips before following a trail down her neck, licking, biting, and sucking until she was trembling.
“Fuck, I want you,” I growled before moving back up to her eager mouth. “I want every part of you. All this waiting has been driving me crazy.”
“Yet you respected me and kept your distance until I was ready,” she whispered, her breath hot against my skin.
“Of course, I did. I’d give you anything you want, baby.” I kissed her again. “And because I love you,” I brushed the backs of my knuckles across her cheek. “I’d wait, even if it meant I’d have to wait forever.”
Dee pulled back abruptly. “Did you just say you loved me?” Those vivid blue eyes searched deep into mine. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. I had no doubt she saw the truth she was searching for. That I loved her beyond words and always would.
“I did.” I inhaled deeply before adding,” I love you, Deandra Cavanaugh. I think I’ve loved you since the first time you scowled at me in the boardroom on my first day.”
Dee’s laugh flooded the room like the loveliest melody ever written. “I’m sorry I made you wait, and I’m sorry I was so nasty to you all those months. I promise I won’t do it again.” Her sudden apology left her eyes glassy once again.
“Don’t you ever feel sorry for anything. And don’t ever think you have to hide that from me. You can always be honest with me. I hope you know you can always tell me what you think and feel.”
Dee’s eyes fluttered shut. She drew in a long, steady breath before her hands settled against my chest, settling directly over my heart. “Make love to me, Travis,” she whispered softly. “Make love to me because . . . I’m tired of being scared. I’m tired of denying myself what I really want. But most of all, I want this with you because I love you too.”
“You love me?” I asked, not sure if I’d heard her right. Gooseflesh spread out across my skin as excited little tremors overflowing with anticipation raced up and down my spine.
“I do. I love you. I’m still frightened as hell, but I can’t let my fear dictate my life anymore. A life I want to share with you.”
My insides lit up like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Hearing her say she loved me made all the frustration I’d experienced worth it. Dee Cavanaugh loved me and I loved her. I was hers and she wasfinallymine. From this moment on, our lives would never be the same and I couldn’t be happier.
“Your wish is my command, sweetheart. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
“Then shut up and kiss me.”
twenty-six
