Page 136 of Boss of Me

I fall silent, processing his words.

I hate that I let Laurene get to me the way she did. I hate that even now, lying in Gunner’s arms, I’m insanely jealous of her. I hate that she met him first. Hate that she touched him, stroked him, made love to him before me. I hate that she won his heart, to the extent that he asked her to marry him.

I hate her. Period.

Uncomfortable with my prolonged silence, Gunner whispers, “Say something.”

“Like what?”

“Anything.”

I swallow tightly. “You were going to spend the rest of your life with her.”

The muscles in his jaw flex. “That was the plan.”

“Are you . . . do you still love her?”

He goes silent.

I wait for his answer, my heart thudding painfully against my ribs.

His chest rises and falls on a deep exhale. “It’s complicated.”

Disappointment slashes through me. “So I’ll take that as a yes.”

“No.” He pauses, choosing his next words carefully. “I don’t know if I ever did. Love her, I mean.”

I lift myself onto one elbow and look down at him, searching his face. “Why did you propose if you didn’t love her?”

“Like I said . . . it’s complicated.”

I don’t know what to make of that.

He pushes his hand into my hair, cupping the back of my head as he stares intently into my eyes. “You have nothing toworry about. Laurene and I are over, and I made that crystal clear to her. She won’t be a problem for us, I swear to you.”

Relief floods through me, tingling from head to toe. “Can you change the security code?—”

“Already did. Even if she’s foolish enough to show up here again, she won’t get past the front gate.”

Satisfied with his response, I climb on top of him, straddling his hips. He settles his hands on my thighs and stares up at me with those ocean-deep eyes.

“Sweetheart—”

“I love you.” Watching his gaze darken, I plunge bravely ahead. “You don’t have to say it back. In fact I don’t want you to, not right now, because I’d just end up wondering if you only said it to appease me.” I take his hand and place it over my galloping heart. “I’ve never been in love before. Frankly, I’m scared shitless. But I can’t run from my feelings anymore. I love you, Gunner, and I’m yours for as long as you’ll have me.”

With a rough sound of longing, he flips me over and pins me beneath him, his forehead pressed to mine. The fierce look in his eyes could be love, or something very close to it. Whatever it is, it takes my breath away.

“Do you have any idea how much I need you?” he says, his voice raspy with emotion. “I prayed for you without even knowing you were possible. You’re the girl of my dreams, the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m never letting you go.”

As a rush of happiness washes over me, I take his face in my hands and whisper, “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here with you.”

“That means everything to me.Youmean everything to me.” He kisses my mouth, staring into my eyes as he whispers, “Don’t ever forget that. Okay, baby? Never fucking forget.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

marlowe

Lingering memories of our reunion haveme humming to myself while completing my chores the next day.