The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(79)

“I want to buy a home in Boston—if this is where you plan to live.”

She dropped her purse to the ground, feeling too weak to hold its weight. Her knees trembled, despite the renewed spike in her body temperature.

“I’ve been seeing a therapist.”

Her lips twitched.

“I wanted to try and get better before I saw you again. For the first time in my life, I realized I needed help. I want to work through my shit. And I want the nightmares gone.”

She looked down at her purse, which was lying on the thin cushion of snow. “Two months isn’t a lot of time to work through what you dealt with in the Middle East. To get over your anti-relationship feelings.” She had to be realistic. She needed to think rationally.

“I don’t think of myself as a murderer—even though I wanted to kill Erick.”

And she’d almost wanted him to.

“I know I’ll need to keep seeing someone for a while—I know I’m not a hundred percent out of the woods, but I can’t wait any longer to be with you. I know it’s unfair of me to ask you this, when I’m still so broken, but I promise I will get better for you—for us.”

Oh, God. His mouth was dangerously close to hers, and she could still smell his cologne, despite the fact that he’d been at the police station.

“I need you, Kate. I want you.”

She wasn’t sure if she was still breathing.

“I’ve never said those words before. Ever. But I mean them—I need you.” His voice was deep and strained by emotion.

She wanted to believe him, but she was scared. “What about the military, though?” Her voice broke as she spoke. “Are you serious about not going back? I don’t want you to think you have to choose.”

“I thought that was the only place I belonged until I met you.” He touched the side of her face. “I’m in love with you, Kathryn Elizabeth Adams.”

His words hit her hard. A tornado of feelings spiraled through her; she felt weak. “How do you know?” she asked, still not sure if she could trust him. “How do you know you love me?”

Michael shut his eyes and tilted his head back. “Because being away from you has caused me more pain than all of the bullets that pierced my chest. Losing you has eaten away at me, making me feel weak and alone.” His eyes flashed open and found hers. “And because your smile tugs at something deep inside of me. Your humor and your sensitivity, your sweetness and personality . . . you make me feel different.” He exhaled a slow breath. “You make me feel human again. I feel like life is possible if you’re in it.”

She stared in disbelief at the man in front of her. Was this really happening? “Can we go inside?” she asked, and her bottom lip trembled.

“You okay?” He touched her arm.

She nodded. “Yes. But if we don’t get inside soon, we’ll have to make love out in the snow.”

He released a laugh and pulled her into his arms. “You love to drive me crazy, huh?”

Her eyes sparkled. The dead weight she’d been feeling for months was gone. She no longer needed to silence the memories of her past—she wanted to create new ones. “We’ve been apart longer than we were ever together . . .”

“Thankfully, I’ve made extensive plans about how to make up for lost time.”

She smiled. “You made plans?”

“Yup. Want me to show you the list?”

“Oh, don’t make me call your bluff.” She wet her lips. “What exactly is on your list?”

“Mm.” He pressed his lips to her briefly. “Kissing.”

She perked a brow. “Yeah? And what else?”

Michael looked over his shoulder at her home. “Let me show you the rest inside.”

“Mm. Now that does sound like a good plan.”

Michael took a slight step back, his eyes settling on hers. “Kate—I hope you know that I’ll do everything in my power to earn your love.”

She shook her head. “You already have it.” She touched his lips with her index finger. “I love you, too.”

“Thank God,” he said, shoving his hands into her hair. “And I never want you to stop.”





EPILOGUE




“Please talk to him.” Kate reached for Michael’s forearm. “You’re like brothers.”

Michael lowered the bottle of beer from his lips and eyed Jake from across the room. “He could’ve gotten you killed back in Charlotte, Kate.”

She turned into him, pressing her body against his as she reached for his beer and set it on the table next to them. “This is our engagement party. He came all the way here. Please. For me.” She looked up at him and purposefully bit her lip.

“You’re not playing fair.” His hand swooped down her back and cupped her ass, squeezing it a little.

“Well, I learned how to play dirty from the best.” She chuckled.

“Hey, I’ve been nothing but a good boy since I met you.” He lifted a brow and leaned forward, softly nipping at her lip. Even that small gesture had her legs tightening. He’d been out of town for work all week, and then they had to come straight to the party. They hadn’t had time to make love since he’d been home.