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“Because you gave me no choice,” I tell him honestly. “I tried to hate you. I really did. But I couldn’t.” I want to move closer to him. Want him to hold me. But I don’t dare. Not yet. “And I was never scared of you, King. Just hurt.”
“Because of me.” King’s voice scratches through the room.
I nod. “Yeah, he came after me because of you. But you stopped him. And if anyone ever comes after me again, you’ll stop them too.”
“I won’t ever let you get hurt again.”
“You’re hurting me now.” My voice finally cracks, all the pain and love and anguish breaking through. “You took me. And made me yours. I got used to your warmth. But then you took it away.” A tear escapes down my cheek. “I don’t want to be cold anymore.”
“Savannah.” He takes one halting step toward me.
“You made me love you,” I accuse him. “You told me you were proud of me.”
“I am proud of you,” he takes another step closer.
“You’ve always saved me when I needed you most.”
“Honey…” he’s only a step away now.
“Please stop pushing me away. It’s okay if you don’t love me yet, just don’t…”
King closes the distance, his big palms cupping my face. “There is noyet, Savannah Baby.” His thumbs brush across my cheeks. “Please stop crying. I love you too fucking much to watch you cry.”
I love you too fucking much…
They aren’t the words I expected to hear, but they’re the ones I wanted to hear.
And maybe it’s too good to be true.
“King,” I reach up and grab his forearms. “You don’t have to say it just––”
“Stop talking,” he steps closer, our chests are touching, and uses his hold on me to tip my head back so my eyes stay on his. His voice sounds just as choked as mine does. “I won’t ever lie to you. You’re my wife. My fucking Queen. And I love you with my entire disgusting heart.” He brushes away more tears. “I don’t deserve you. Or…” I watch his throat work as he nods towards the paintings around us. “I don’t deserve your art. Or your smiles. Or your joy. After everything I’ve done to you… Baby, the last thing I deserve is your love. But if you mean it. If you’ve found a way to let me inside your beautiful soul, then I’m going to stay there.”
I nod my head as best I can. “I mean it.”
His broad chest expands on the largest inhale. And when he lets his breath out, he lowers his forehead to mine.
“I’m sorry I pushed you away.” His apology is so soft. “I’m so sorry I failed you, so many times.”
“You didn’t,” I whisper.
“I did,” he whispers back. “But I’ll never fail you again. So long as there is breath in my body, I’ll never fail you again.”
He hasn’t.
And he won’t.
The feeling of being cherished fills my heart and I tip my face up, pressing my lips to his.
He’s so gentle. So tender in the way he kisses me back that I don’t need him to say the words again.
But he does anyway.
“I love you, Savannah.”
I slide one hand up his arm until my palm is over his heart. “I believe you. I can feel it.”
The sound he makes keeps the tears streaming from my eyes.