Dark Sexy Knight (A Modern Fairytale)(84)

“Baby,” he whispered, wanting to put his hand on her hip and shake her gently, but feeling like he hadn’t earned that intimacy quite yet.She breathed deeply and sighed in her sleep, a sound so welcome, he flinched with yearning. “Sunshine? I’m home.”

“You’re home,” she murmured, her eyes fluttering open. Her blue eyes focused on his face and instantly filled with tears. “Is this a dream?”

He shook his head, brushing away the moisture that slipped down one cheek. “No, baby. It’s me.”

“Colton,” she said, her fingers tightening on the letter she held as a tear slid over the bridge of her nose and plopped onto the bed. “I waited.”

The lump in his throat made it impossible to speak. He nodded. She reached out and placed her palm on his cheek, and he closed his eyes, leaning into her touch, thanking God for the mercies we don’t deserve, the mercies that change our whole lives and leave us breathless.

“I hoped,” she said softly, sniffling before offering him a small, tentative smile.

He stood up and shucked off his shoes, lying down beside her and putting his arms around her body. His eyes closed as he pulled her close and rested his forehead against hers.

“I’m better,” he finally said when he was able to speak. “I think I’m better.”

“I know,” she said, her breath warm and sweet against his lips. “I got your letter.” She paused. “I didn’t know . . . about your dad.”

“I don’t like talking about him. Well, I didn’t. Now, well, I guess you have to talk about some things that hurt. It’s the only way to make them stop hurting.”

She was quiet, breathing deeply, her breasts pressing against him every time she inhaled. He wanted her. Her body. Her heart. Her presence in his life. Lord, he wanted her so badly, it was unreal.

“Can I—,” he started, then stopped, feeling suddenly unworthy of his request.

“Can you what?”

“I meant everything I said in the letter, baby,” he said in a rush. “I want to marry you and have kids with you and make this house our home. I promise to take care of you and love you, and I will never hurt you again. I will go to my appointments, and I will take my medication, and I will never, ever leave you again.” She didn’t say anything, and his heart clutched with worry, making his voice soft, but gravelly, as he begged her. “The life I could have with you is the only one I want, sunshine. I just . . . please? Can I have one more chance to make you happy?”

She leaned away from him, her eyes swimming with tears, her lips tilting up into the loveliest, sweetest smile he’d ever seen.

“Colton,” she said, reaching up to cup his cheek, “you can have a hundred chances if it means we stay together.”

A hundred yellow ribbons.

His breath released in a whoosh, and he leaned forward to claim her lips with his, their tears mixing as they relearned the touch and texture of each other’s lips, their tongues seeking each other and dancing with relief at second chances and new beginnings. He clutched her tightly against him, swearing he would never hurt her again. He would cherish every day he had with her, and keep her safe and happy for as long as she’d let him. She feathered tiny kisses along his lips gently, slowing their pace, finally drawing back from him with a twinkle in her eye.

“I have to tell you something.”

He froze, searching her face for a clue, but aside from offering him a small smile, there was none. “What?”

“First . . . you mean it about getting married and having kids?”

He nodded, his eyes locking with hers, feeling worried and hopeful, trying to figure out what was coming next.

“You’re sure?”

“Verity, yes, I’m sure. God, it’s all I want. I’ll get you a ring as soon as I can get my hands on one. Kids as soon as you want them. Yes, I mean it. I’m sure.”

She shrugged, her smile widening. “How about in . . . seven months?”

“A ring in seven months?”

“Nope.” She shook her head, her smile so big now that it turned into a giggle. “A baby.”

“You want a baby in seven months?” He furrowed his brows at her. “Is that possible?”

“It is if the baby’s already on the way,” she said, still laughing, joyfully now. Rolling onto her back, she pushed her shirt up and reached for his hand, placing it gently on the soft swell of her belly.

He sucked in a breath of air so quickly, it stung his lungs. His eyes widened, flicking to her stomach and staring at his massive hand covering her pale skin. Oh my God. Oh my God. She’s . . . She’s . . .

“Colton?”

When he looked at her face, the face of his child’s mother, he was struck with a love so fathomless, it almost scared him. His breath hitched as he blurted out, “You’re pregnant?”

She nodded, still grinning, but her smile was slightly less certain now. “The picnic table.”

“The picnic table,” he repeated, his lips twitching as he stared at her, realization finally kicking in. “We’re having a baby?”

She nodded. “You meant it, right? You want kids and—”

He didn’t let her finish what she was saying, dragging her lips to his and kissing her fiercely, with abandon, with gratitude for ending his years of loneliness, with love for her and the child she was carrying, with hope for their future together. When he drew back from her, he was breathless and overcome.