Only When It's Us (The Bergman Brothers #1)

by Chloe Liese

His response, and many other moments I have thus far, unfortunately, had to endure with him, have led me to a hunch: Ryder Bergman, beneath all his formidable, silent intensity, is shy.

The irony is not lost on me, that he’s the first man who’s ever truly made me feel heard in my life and he can’t hear a word I’m saying.

“Because then you have to face the scary unknown and want something from it. You have to live with arms wide open to new things. You have to risk trying and failing. You have to release the baggage from your past, so you have room to welcome your future.”

But as his thumb whispers over my windpipe, as it traces the hollow of my throat, I know with complete certainty I have never been safer than I am with Ryder Bergman.

I lean my elbows on her mattress and stumble through the words. I read aloud until my voice runs out, until Joy is sleeping. Her face is peaceful, her hand still clasped with mine. And while I know I gave her a gift, I know she gave me a gift, too. A hand to hold on the journey forward.

My eyes meet hers, and my heart burns with knowledge. I love her. I’ve known I loved her, but the truth bursts inside my chest, surges up my throat, and beats a violent tattoo inside my mind as I stare into her eyes.

“I want what you want,” I tell him, loud and clear, slow and sure. I don’t want him to miss a word I say. “All in, fair and square. I want to be afraid with you rather than fearless and alone. Only when it’s us.” Ryder’s hands are vise grips on my waist. “Because I love you, Ryder Bergman. I’m scared shitless to say it, but I love you. I love you, and I always will.”