He turned and caught my gaze. “I’m never going to let fear lead me down the road to regret ever again, Paxton.”
His eyes dropped to my mouth where I instinctively licked my lips. “I love you, Pax. I’ve never stopped loving you and I’ll love you until the day I take my last breath.”
Dragging in a shaky breath, I whispered, “Steed, I—”
He held up his hand. “Wait. Let me finish, please.” Reaching for my hands, he guided me up along with him. Standing face to face, he searched my face with such an intense look it caused me to shudder.
“I don’t know where life is going to lead us, but I know I won’t stop fighting for us, Paxton. If it takes me the rest of my life, I’ll earn your forgiveness and love back.”
My heart had never beat so fast or so hard in my entire life. I’d been fighting the urge to kiss him since he first walked into my classroom. I was tired of fighting.
One kiss.
That’s all I wanted. All I needed.
Who am I kidding? I needed this man.
Taking a step closer, I captured his beautiful blue eyes with mine. “You never lost my love, Steed.”
His hands reached up and cupped my face.
Just one kiss.
Slowly moving closer, his eyes drifted to my mouth once more. I silently begged him to kiss me as he grew closer and closer. When his lips finally brushed against mine, I let out a soft moan.
It was a slow and tender kiss and my body came to life. Reaching up on my toes, I deepened the kiss a little more. Steed groaned into my mouth before pulling back just enough to break the kiss. He rested his forehead on mine and sighed.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Closing my eyes, I replied, “Don’t say that. Not when I know we both wanted it.”
The doorbell rang, and we both jumped. I felt lightheaded and needed to grab onto the kitchen island to steady myself.
Steed’s eyes looked hungry with desire, but his expression was sad.
When the person rang the bell again, then knocked, I cleared my throat. “I better get that.”
He simply nodded while his fingers pushed through his hair. Shit, he is so damn hot when he does that.
Focusing on trying to get my breathing under control, I opened the door without looking to see who it was. My eyes widened in shock.
“Joe?”
A wide grin moved across his face as he purred, “Hey beautiful. Miss me?”
The pounding in my chest was echoing in my ears. I hadn’t needed the kiss to remind me of how much I loved Paxton, but when our lips met and our bodies rushed with energy, I knew deep in my heart that this was the woman I would love for the rest of my life. She was the reason my heart beat.
When the doorbell rang I silently thanked God. It was taking every ounce of strength not to pick up Paxton and lay her over the island and bury my dick inside of her. The constant battle between my head and my heart was getting exhausting.
I reached down and adjusted my rock-hard dick.
“Jesus, get a grip, Parker,” I whispered to myself as I walked to the bottle of rum. I poured a shot into the glass and went to drink it when I stilled at a familiar voice.
“Joe?”
“Hey beautiful. Miss me?”
What in the fuck is he doing here?
I tossed the shot back and set the glass on the counter.
Paxton stood there in silence for a little longer than I would have liked.
“Um, Joe now isn’t really a good time.”
His eyes lifted and met mine. When his smile faded, mine grew bigger. That’s right motherfucker. I’m back.
He let out a gruff laugh and said, “Steed Parker. I heard you were back in town. Planning on sticking around this time?”
Asshole.
“I sure do.”
Paxton cleared her throat and stepped in front of Joe as he attempted to walk in.
“Now’s not a good time, Joe.”
“Nonsense, looks like you’re having a bit of a reunion here.”
Walking around the island, I made my way into the living room. “And I don’t believe you were invited.”
Paxton glanced over her shoulder. “Steed. I can handle this.”
Joe laughed again. “So you think you can ride on back into town and pick up where you left off?”
“Excuse me?” Paxton said as she placed her hand on Joe’s chest. “I think you need to leave now, Joe.”
He looked down at her and then back at me. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here, Parker.”
It was my turn to laugh. “You don’t even know why I’m here, asshole.”
“That’s enough, both of you stop. Joe, I’m asking you nicely, please leave.”
A frustrated expression moved across his face as he glared and then finally focused in on Paxton while pushing himself into her house. He grabbed her by her upper arms and shook his head as he spoke.