Don't Forget Me Tomorrow (Time River, #2)

by A.L. Jackson

“Haven’t you learned yet that you don’t need to ride in like the cavalry, Ryder?” “I already rode in, Cookie, so you might as well let me.” I’d started calling her that years ago. Now there was no way I could stop.

“You enjoying yourself, Cookie?” I canted a glance up at her. The last of the light caught her in its hazy rays. Brown hair and mesmerizing eyes. So goddamn pretty my stomach clutched. Raking her teeth over her bottom lip, she tried to contain her laughter. “Guess I like you on your knees for me.” A snort left my nose. I’d been for years, and she didn’t have a clue.

I’d wanted to give her everything I had, but the only thing I had been able to do was give her the one gift that I could. She viewed it as a debt. Like something she needed to repay. She could never understand that what I’d given her was my heart.

I’d been in love with Ryder Nash since I was nineteen, probably earlier than that if I was being honest with myself. I was working on getting over that, though.

“Do you really think we’re in danger?” His hand tightened on my face, that gaze darkening and deepening, swilling with something harsh and severe. “I’m not sure, Dakota, but if you are? I promise I will take care of you. Protect you.” “Why?” “Because protecting you is what I was created to do.”

“I love you, Dakota. I’m gone for you. Since I was twenty-two fucking years old, I’ve been gone for you. Since you became the one thing in this world that could soothe the ache inside me. Since you became the reason to look beyond my circumstances. Since you reminded me of the good things this world might have to offer.” He took a step forward. The ground trembled below my feet. “You saved me, Dakota. Saved me when I was lost. When I’d given up. And I keep trying to push you away because I know I don’t deserve you. But I can’t do that any longer. I can’t fucking deny that you are the one thing in this life that I’ve been living for. You are the light breaking the darkness inside me. And I’m begging you, please don’t walk away.”