Worth the Fall (The McKinney Brothers, #1)(84)

In a blink she was that little girl again, trembling under the hot sun, hands and knees scraped raw and bleeding where she’d fallen. Screaming in the middle of the road while the last people she’d trusted not to leave her, not to change their minds, drove away with their dog. No. She wouldn’t talk about it. She’d get down on her knees. Even though she’d sworn to never again beg anyone to stay with her, she would do it. She’d beg.

“Abby, look at me.”

She closed her eyes tightly against it, feeling strangely outside her body, all the fears she’d thought were gone overwhelming her. Choking her, squeezing to the point she struggled for breath, desperate to get away from it.

Warm, rough hands gripped her face. “Honey, stop it.” Matt tightened his hold, giving her a little shake. “Look at me, damn it.”

She opened her eyes and saw the man she loved more than she’d ever loved before. This couldn’t happen. She couldn’t let it. Do something.

“Abby, baby.” He smoothed a hand lightly over her hair, voice soft, eyes full of concern, but they did nothing to slow her quick, shallow breaths.

A car door slammed outside.

She’d never wanted promises. They were always broken. But right now…that’s all she wanted. “Promise me.”

The front door opened and voices drifted in.

“Promise me you’re not changing your mind.”

“Abby—”

“Please.” She sucked in a breath, forcing herself to get out the words, as if what he said or didn’t say in this second would determine if she lived or died. “Please. I never wanted to…but…I am. I’m begging you—”

“Honey, you don’t need to—”

“Promise me!” Her voice rose, sounding hysterical to her own ears, as her fingers twisted the fabric over his heart.

J.T. stopped in the foyer. “Promise you what?”

His mother, coming to greet him, zeroed in on Abby. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing. It’s fine,” Matt said.

Matt pulled her into his arms and she dropped her forehead to his chest, her entire body shaking under his hands. She felt like an idiot, out of control, like maybe she was having a panic attack.

“Promise you what?” J.T. asked again.

Matt held her close with a hand on the back of her head and an arm around her shoulders. “That I’m not changing my mind about leaving the SEALs. And I’m not.” He said the last words against her hair, followed them with a kiss.

“Well, praise Jesus,” Matt’s grandmother said, setting a plate of cookies on the dining table.

“We’ll be right there.” Matt walked them into the bedroom, closed the door softly, and turned her back to the wall.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her heart still beating wildly.

Matt pressed his forehead to hers. “Shh. Take a deep breath.” He ran his palms up her arms and around her back, folding her into his protective hold, and the tension began to drain out of her. It was hard to be afraid, wrapped in Matt’s arms. “Your parents are going to think I’m crazy.”

He kissed her head. “Nah. My whole family’s a little crazy, but look at me. I love you. I don’t want or need anything else.”

Abby gazed into soft brown eyes, honest eyes. The idea of losing him scared the hell out of her, but she had to trust him or she was going to drive them both crazy. She did trust him. “I believe you.”

Matt pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her slowly and gently. He sealed the promise he’d made with his tongue and lips, and her eyes filled with tears. She believed him. He was an honest man, a good man. And he promised.

—

Abby had spent the day shopping with the ladies and Matt was itching for time alone with her. He leaned in for a kiss where they stood next to his car. When he eased back, her eyes were still closed, a smile on her lips.

“What was that for?”

“Because I haven’t gotten any time alone with you all day,” Matt said against her mouth. “And because I love you. And…”—he pulled back and reached for the car door—“because this is a special night. Our first date.”

“Well, on second thought, maybe I shouldn’t kiss you like that. It being our first date and all.”

“Oh no,” he said, bringing her back into his arms. “It’s our first date and I intend to make the very most of it. That includes making out with my girl.”

Matt took her to the nicest restaurant in the city, where he’d reserved a table overlooking Hampton Roads Harbor. The flicker of candlelight played across her porcelain skin and he spent the night gazing into the eyes of the woman he loved. He’d never been happier, never felt more sure, and more than anything, he wanted Abby to feel the same.

After dinner, he drove back toward his parents’ but turned a few blocks short. “I want to show you something.” Matt parked in front of a large two-story house set back from the street in a cul-de-sac. The maples were bare now, but in the summer they’d provide ample shade and in the fall piles of colorful leaves. He walked her to the front door and led her into an empty foyer.

“It’s beautiful.” Abby moved further into the house and inhaled the scent of fresh paint. It had that echoing feel of a large, empty room.