Page 82 of Defensive Desire

And all I can think is how much she’srightto be angry. Because I’ve been an idiot. I’ve been afraid to tell her and now it's too late.

I’ve handled this like I always do… by trying to shoulder it alone.

“I'm sorry, okay? Emma, I didn’t tell you…” I say, voice raw. “Because I didn’t think this would happen."

"Bull shit. Your brothers told me it happens all the time. Especially for older players."

"No." I step forward, eyes locked on hers. "I didn't thinkthiswould happen. Thatyouwould happen.Wewould happen."

She blinks, stunned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means…” I take a shaky breath. “I didn’t plan on falling in love with you, Emma. But I did.”

The silence lands between us like a bomb. One that leaves both of us standing in the fallout, blinking through the dust of the words I just said to another human being for the first time since my mother died.

“You’re in love with me?” Her voice cracks, just slightly.

I nod. Fuck it. There’s no going back now.

“Of course I am. You're the most incredible person I've ever met. How could I not be in love with you?”

I take another careful step forward, voice quieter now, but more certain than it’s ever been.

“That’s why I show up at your door every damn day. That’s why I fix your shelves and cut out freaking bookmarks for kids who's parents will only throw them in the trash while they're sleeping. That’s why I carry your groceries and make stupid heart eyes at you in the middle of the damn pet parade.”

Emma’s lips part, but nothing comes out.

“I’m in love with you, Emma Carter. I didn’t see it coming. I didn’tplanfor it. But I know it now, and it’s the only thing I’ve been sure of in months.”

Emma sucks in a breath like it’s the first one she’s taken in hours.

Then she punches me.

Well, notpunches.

She slaps my shoulder hard and mutters something under her breath that sounds suspiciously likeyou emotionally constipated Neanderthal, but right now, I’ll take it.

A tear slips down her cheek, but she doesn’t wipe it away.

I try my luck and take her face in my hands.

"You’re it for me, Emma. I didn’t see it coming, but now that I have you, I can’t go back. I won’t."

She leans into me, just a fraction.

"Then don’t ever leave me in the dark again," she whispers.

"Never," I promise.

And when I kiss her, it’s not soft. It’s fierce and desperate and full of every ounce of regret and hope crashing through my chest.

Because this is our turning point.

This is us choosing each other… no matter what comes next.

I pull back and Emma stares at me for what feels like an eternity, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

Then something shifts in her expression. Determination replacing hurt.