Rescue Me(51)

He brought his other hand to her face and lowered his forehead to hers. "Then I'll go first." He took a ragged breath and she was riveted, not even daring to blink. "It was supposed to be just sex. But it wasn't for me. Not ever. From the first moment I saw you, there was something about you. I knew you were special. I tried to fight it, but you kept drawing me in, bringing me back for more. I'm the one that needed rescuing from the life I was living and I didn't even know it. And now I'm telling you you've stolen my heart, and I don't want it back. It's yours to do with what you will." He pulled back ever so slightly and she saw the uncertainty in his eyes. But this time it was different. Not uncertain about what he felt for her, but about how she would react to his declaration.

Tears coursed down her cheeks. "I'm keeping it," she whispered. "Because I've been without one for a while now. I left it behind with you."

Meredith laughed through her tears as Cole lowered his lips to her forehead, her nose and finally placed the softest hint of a kiss on her lips. "I wasn't looking for this, but now that I've got you, I'm not letting you go," he said.

"I thought you couldn't make any promises," she replied, still not sure how it was possible that he was actually holding her and telling her he wanted to be with her.

"Wouldn't," he corrected. "But I promise you this, if you'll give me the chance, I'll love you every day for as long as you'll let me."

"Forever. You can love me forever."

"Deal."