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“I’ve missed you so much,” I croak out. One of his hands moves to rest at the nape of my neck. “I’ve missed you more. Trust me on that.”
“There’s no need to apologize for asking for what you need.”
“However long it takes you, Allie, I’ll be here. You’ve got me, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.”
If eyes could smile, his are doing it right now.
“Don’t leave,” I cut him off, emotion clogging my voice. “Please don’t.” Those massive shoulders visibly relax. “I won’t. Not unless you ask me to.” “I won’t ever ask you to leave.”
“I’d do anything for you, Allie.”
“I’ve missed you so much,” he rasps before one of his hands cups the side of my neck. “I felt like I couldn’t breathe in my own house because you weren’t there. It felt empty, soulless. I hated every second you weren’t with me because I knew I should’ve fought harder for you. Should’ve gone after you and made you stay.
“I want you,” I whisper into our bubble. “When I’m ready, I want everything with you.”
“I want to go back home with you. And I don’t want to sleep in the guest bedroom anymore,” I tell him over the sound of my heartbeat. “I want to work at The Lair again, as a waitress and as an accountant because I love both. I want to explore Bannport with you, do all the fun things you like and all the fun things I enjoy. I want to host dinners with Uncle Neil, Barbara, and our friends. I want to travel, try new things, do all the things I used to be scared of before. I want to have the rest of my firsts with you. And one day… one day, I don’t want that bedroom in your house to be empty
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“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Allie. I don’t know how I ever managed to live without you.”
“You’re my best friend, Travis, and I lo…I…” “I know, sweetheart. I know.” He cradles the back of my head, tangling his fingers in my hair. “You don’t have to say the words now. I feel them too. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
He loves me enough to wait to hear it. And I love him enough to tell him when the time is right.
“I want you to spend as much time as you need here with your loved ones,” he says, his voice serious. “And when you’re ready, if you ever are, The Lair will always be your home. I will always be your home. Okay?”
Good luck, world, trying to silence me again.
And Travis… Travis smiles. A devastating, beautiful smile I want to see every day for the rest of my life.
“Respect your elders, boy,” Jude chastises him, but he’s smiling. “Yes, sir. Wouldn’t dream of ever offending you, sir.”
“I love you,” I breathe out. “I love you so much, Travis. I’m ready for this. For us. I’ll have bad days, and I can’t promise I’ll be happy and cheery all the time, but I’m done waiting. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and only you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. More than I’ve ever loved anyone else. I’ll always be here for you, Allie. On your good and bad days. You’re it for me. Until the day I take my last goddamn breath.”
“Oh, no way. You’re stuck with me forever. That includes the afterlife.” He brushes his nose against mine. “Is our next life included too?” “Absolutely.” “Good.”
This man who grunted at me the first time we met, who installed an extra lock on my apartment door without me having to ask, who made friendship bracelets with me, who opened up about his past, who offered me a safe haven when I needed it the most—he was always meant to be mine. And I, his. Irrevocably.
“We’re a team now. Whatever is worrying you concerns me too.”
“You standing there, looking at me, fucking breathing, is enough to drive me insane.”
“That’s my girl.”
“Far from a problem,” he rasps. “I’m trying not to come in my pants like a fucking teenager, just from thinking I’ll be the first and the last man to touch you.”
“I need to touch you.” There’s a desperate edge to his voice. “I need to sink my fingers inside that tight little pussy, then my cock, or I’ll go fucking insane.”
“I’ll be gentle,” he promises, and I know he means it, but… “That’s…” Too big. Huge. I gulp again. “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but what the hell, Travis?” His low chuckle sends a thrill through me. “Way to boost my ego.”
“We’ll go at your pace. Do you trust me?” My nerves ease at that. “Always.”
“Deep breaths, sweetheart,” he instructs, sounding like he’s struggling to breathe too. “Let me fill you up.”
“That’s it. Keep taking deep breaths for me,” he praises. “You’re taking my cock so well.”
“I love you, Allie. So much. You’re my life.”
“Stop bothering my girl, Charlie.”
“I want to kiss you all the time. I’m not holding back just because people want to watch.”
“I’m so fucking proud of you, you know?” “Stop saying things like that. It makes me want to climb you like a tree.”
“Because I know last names mean nothing to you, but I still wanted to ask you if you’d take mine.”
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He opens it, revealing the most stunning diamond ring I’ve ever seen. “I know we agreed to take things slow, and we still can do that, but I can’t imagine my future without you. I don’t want to. I love you so damn much, Allie. If I ask to be yours forever, will you say yes?”
“Don’t indulge me. One of us is supposed to be the stricter parent.” “You three have me wrapped around your fingers. It’s not gonna be me.” “Travis, we talked about this. We need to keep the spoiling to a healthy amount.” He hums. “I don’t remember that conversation.”
Those powerful shoulders move up and down with a shrug. “I’m a girl dad now to two little princesses, and I’m the husband of a fucking amazing wife. You can’t expect me not to spoil you.”
“I used to call you ‘bear-man’ in my head all the time when I started working for you. I may or may not still do it sometimes.” “Bear-man,” he deadpans, but he can’t hide the smile in his voice. “Because of your beard,” I explain. “Also, your height. You’re enormous. Grouchy, too, which is kind of like a bear—one look is enough to know that getting close to them may not be the best idea.” “And yet here you are. Right in the bear’s lair.” I smile. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
