Dylan’s Redemption(66)

“When they put her in my arms and turned off the machines keeping her alive, I told her that her mommy loved her very much. I told her daddy loved her. I kissed one cheek for me, the other for you. I held her as she slipped away and a long time after that. I didn’t want to let her go. I prayed to God to take me instead.”

Dylan squeezed her so tight the cut on her back pinched with pain. She didn’t care. It was nothing compared to the hurt in her heart cutting deep into her soul. Dylan leaned his head back, tears running down his cheeks. His anguish matched her own and she wished she could take it away. She cupped his face in her hands and looked him in the eye. “I told her you love her.”

“After what I did, how could you possibly believe . . .”

“I knew you did because you loved me that night.”

The earnest look in her eyes didn’t lie. She meant it. She knew he loved Hope. “I love you still. I never stopped. I don’t deserve you, and I want you all the same.”

“Now isn’t the time to talk about that. I just wanted you to know about your daughter. You were robbed of having any memories of your own of her. I only had five days, but I’ll forever be grateful for those precious memories. It’s all I can offer you now.”

“We need to talk about what my mother did.”

“There’s nothing more to say. You left for your own reasons, none of which had anything to do with me. I know that now.”

“I wanted to tell you I signed up with the army that night, but I got you alone, and I lost my head. I lost my heart.” He gave her back her words so she’d know he’d fallen as deeply in love with her as she had with him. “I had to go, but I wanted to stay with you. I should have . . .”

She put her fingers to his lips and stopped him. “The ‘should haves’ are too many to count. Let it go. I’m tired of thinking about it.”

He pulled her closer and kissed her fingers pressed to his lips. She dropped her hand, their faces inches apart. Drawn together, they met in the middle, and he kissed her softly, with a press of his lips to hers over and over again. Lightning shot through her system, spreading a warm and tingly feeling only he made her feel when they were close. His strong thighs pressed to the outside of hers and his hands rested on her hips. Their bodies were inches apart as she stood between his legs. Her own trembled a little. Maybe she was tired, or it was just having him this close again.

The years melted away, making her feel like they were teenagers again. His touch had always made her feel safe and loved.

He took the kiss deeper and sank into her. He wanted her. His need drew her in. Her breasts pressed to his chest and her fingers dug into his hair, holding him to her. His tongue slipped over hers, provoking her response. She could taste his need for her and it was an addiction she never wanted to overcome.

He trailed kisses down her neck and pressed a lingering kiss to the pulse racing in her throat. “I love you, Jess. Be mine again. I’ve missed you so much.” He kissed her collarbone and pulled her closer. His hands skimmed up her bare back, his fingertips danced back down her spine, leaving a trail of tingling nerves. “I thought you were dead. I thought I’d lost you forever.”

Thoughts of him muddled her mind, then, now, and everything in between. His warm mouth left soft wet kisses everywhere he roamed over her neck and shoulders and then back to her mouth.

His words rang in her mind. Before she’d thought he didn’t want her, but he did. Then and now. He loved her.

It scared her to death.

There wasn’t anyone else in her life. There hadn’t been since him, and things had turned out so badly. He broke her heart when he left without a word after everything they shared. Although his mother was responsible for the rest, she couldn’t help but feel that same hurt and sadness when she thought about the day she heard he’d left town.

She pressed her hands against his shoulders. Dylan kissed her one last time, a soft brush of his lips to hers, and then he released her. He wanted to crush her to him and make love to her, but Jessie wasn’t ready. Not to mention they were in her hospital room where she was recovering from an almost fatal infection. The thought of his almost losing her again sent chills up his spine. He never wanted to feel that kind of fear again.

Dylan had to give her time. They still had a lot to talk about and work out, and that included Will.

“Come on, baby. Get back in bed.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“You need your rest. As much as it would stroke my ego to say I make you tremble like this, I know you’re still weak from the infection and fever.”

“I don’t think it’s your ego you want me to stroke,” she said with a sweet smile on her lips.