His face grayed, and his lips tightened. Then he leaned forward until his chin rested on her knee. His arm snaked around her drawn-up legs.
“Listen to me, baby. I won’t deny saying just that. I was furious. I was trying to impress upon Kingston how important the contract was to our business. In that moment, I would have said anything at all. I didn’t mean it.”
“I believe you,” she said softly. And she did. She just had to know, to get it out of her mind so it wouldn’t take root, dark and insidious.
Rhys touched her chin, his fingers gentle yet firm as he turned her toward him.
“Do you believe we love you, Cat? Do you believe that there’s nothing we want more than you and our baby, here with us, always?”
She dipped her head until her mouth slid across his fingertips. She kissed each one then peeked back up at him. “I do,” she said.
“And will you stay?” Logan asked, his voice shaken and a little unsure.
She reached for his hand then took Rhys’ and pulled them to her heart. “I love you both so much. I’ve made mistakes too. I want the chance to make things right between us again. I’ve never wanted anything other than a life with the two of you. I want to stay. I never want to be anywhere but where you are.”
She savored the connection, the symbolism of holding their hands over her heart. Then she slid them slowly down until they covered her belly. Their family. Their connection to each other. Love. Perfect and true.
Rhys wrapped his other arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. He trembled against her, his body shaking as he gripped her arm fiercely.
Logan rubbed lightly over her belly, his large hand molding to the curvature. Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to the mound before turning his head to rest his cheek against her stomach.
She smiled and let go of his hand, lowering her fingers to run through his hair. It was a picture she’d carry with her always. That one moment of discovery, that love, despite all its imperfections, was glorious above all else.
What else could make past wrongs and hurts pale, slide silently away, forgotten and forgiven?
Here, in her hands, her heart, pressed close to her body and soul, was all that mattered.