Jumping back into my truck, it clicks that he might be at his mother’s house. So I drive by to see that all the lights are off and his motorcycle isn’t anywhere in sight.
Feeling defeated, I head home, pulling out my phone to text Styx.
I at least want him to know that I’m thinking about him.
Me: I want to see you so bad right now.
A few seconds later, my phone vibrates in my hand with a reply from Styx. My heart races as I open his reply.
Styx: Then get out of that truck and come to me.
Tossing my phone into the passenger seat, I hurry out of my truck to see Styx sitting on my porch, waiting for me.
I can hardly breathe as he starts toward me, dressed in that damn leather jacket of his and ripped up jeans that I love so much.
“Holy shit,” I whisper into his arms as he pulls me into him and squeezes. “It feels so good to see you. I’m so sorry. I can explain.”
His familiar scent surrounds me as his hands move up to cup my face. “You don’t need to explain shit to me. You needed the night to yourself and you asked for it.” He presses his forehead to mine, while running his thumb over my lip. The feel of his breath against my face brings me peace. “It feels good to see you too. Honestly, nothing fucking feels better. You have no idea.”
He gently sucks my bottom lip into his mouth, before kissing me and whispering,” I hated being away from you for the last two nights. Fuck, it made my heart ache so damn bad for you.”
My arms wrap around his neck and pull him closer to me, before telling him how I feel. “I barely fell asleep, because all I could think about was being wrapped in your arms and how it feels to fall asleep next to you. I’ve never had a man make me feel so safe and protected before. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me for as long as I can remember.”
His kiss is desperate, almost knocking me off my feet as he spins us around to press me against the door. “Fuck, you have no idea how much that means to me. I want you so damn bad. I’ve never wanted to call a woman mine so much in my entire life. I want you.” He whispers the last part.
His whisper has my heart going crazy for him. This man is everything I want in my life, but am afraid to keep. “Are you sure about that?” I question. “I have a lot of ugly days that I can barely even get out of bed, Styx. I get too lost in my head and need my space from the world.” I close my eyes in shame and hide my face in his neck. “I try my best to be strong, but when you’ve felt alone for as long as I have, after you’ve lost everyone you have ever loved . . . giving yourself to someone else isn’t the easiest. I’m so damn scared of being left alone again.”
“Fuck,” he whispers into the top of my head. “I love you. I’m not going anywhere even if you push me out the damn door. I never want you to be afraid with me.”
I look up to meet his eyes, my heart pretty much stopping in my chest from his confession. “Did you mean what you just said?” I ask softly.
His grip around me tightens, until there’s no space between us. I couldn’t get away, even if I wanted to. Which I don’t. I never want to get away from this man.
“With everything in me. I’ve been thinking it for days, but just haven’t said it. I was hoping my actions were loud enough to show you. But yes. I fucking love you,” he breathes across my lips.
“I love you too,” leaves my lips without a second thought. “I love everything about you and us and how you make me feel. I never want to lose that. Please don’t rip my damn heart out. I’m opening up to you, Styx. I’m giving you my all.”
“Good.” He smiles against my lips and then kisses me hard and deep. “Because I’m a giver when it comes to someone I love and I’m giving you every fucking thing I have in me, beginning with my damn heart.”
With that, he slides his jacket off and places it over my shoulders. “Let me get you inside where it’s warm.”
He wraps his arms around me from behind as I reach for my keys and unlock the door.
As soon as we get inside, he picks me up and begins carrying me through the house, stopping in front of my bed.
“Now I’m spending the rest of the night making love to my woman.” He reaches into his pocket and tosses his phone across the room, before laying me down on the bed. “No fucking distractions. Just the two of us.”
I smile and then pull him down on top of me, capturing my lips with his.
This man is perfect and I promise to take care of him just as much as he takes care of me . . .
Styx
Two weeks later . . .
TODAY IS MEADOW’S BIRTHDAY AND all she asked for was some private time for us once we’re both done working for the day.