Page 36

Thirty-Six

Willow

I watch him pound up the stairs and know that I’ve seriously messed up.

“Dammit,” I whisper, clenching my hands into fists, pressing them against my temples.

It’s just…

Dylan and all the bullshit he heaped onto me.

And that’s not fair.

Not fair to Hudson.

Because he’s never been anything like Dylan, not from the first moment he began reading to me. And it’s not okay for him to think that I would put him in the same category as my ex, not even for a second.

Because Hudson has done nothing wrong, nothing except care for me and love me and show me what a beautiful life I can have.

A beautiful family .

My eyes sting, and I blink rapidly as I try to find center, try to figure out what I can say to make him understand I didn’t mean that.

He’s been through so much, and he seems tough and impermeable, but he feels deeply.

So, I know I’ve hurt him deeply.

“Shit,” I whisper.

I messed up, and not even just with that conversation, but by going to Dylan’s house in the first place. Hudson was right—I could have talked to him, could have worked with him to come up with a plan to get my photo back. He would have been right by my side if I insisted.

But I shouldn’t have insisted.

Because it’s exactly what I thought during those first terrifying moments that Dylan stalked me in his office—my dad loved me, my dad protected people for a living, put himself between them and danger, and…

He wouldn’t have wanted me to risk myself for a piece of paper.

No matter how important it is to my heart.

I was dumb.

Reckless.

And…now I owe the man I love an apology.

Even as I’m thinking that, I’m already climbing the stairs, moving to the bedroom that Hudson and I share, seeing the door to the bathroom securely closed, hearing the water running on the other side.

I hesitate, but only for a heartbeat.

Because this is so much more important than a photograph.

I cross the room, turn the handle—relief flowing through me when I find the door unlocked—and push into the bathroom.

He’s there, naked and beautiful…and sad, hands braced against the wall, head hanging, shoulders hunched.

Fuck.

I close my eyes for a second, allow the guilt to ripple through me.

I deserve that.

Then I tuck it away.

Because I’m going to make this better. For both of us.

Quietly, I shut the door then strip off my clothes, slowly tugging the plate glass panel open and slipping into the shower behind Hudson.

I know he likely feels the gust of cool air, but he doesn’t turn around.

I don’t let that dissuade me, just step forward, glad of the waterproof bandage secured over my eyebrow when the water splatters over my face and hair and shoulders. He stiffens when I wrap my arms around his middle, but I don’t let that dissuade me either.

Instead, I hug him tightly, pressing my cheek against his back.

Holding the strength of him close.

Giving him some of my own.

“It’s not just about what happened today,” I murmur, knowing he can hear me when he goes even more stiff. “It’s about Colt too.” I wait and when he doesn’t speak, I go on, “I should have told you what I was thinking. Same as he should have talked to you about taking another tour.”

His lungs inflate on a shaky breath.

“I don’t know Colt’s reasons for keeping that from you, and I hate that you bear the scars of his loss, that those scars are so deep they’ll never fully heal.”

“Princess—”

“I messed up today,” I go on, hugging him more tightly.

“And I’m really sorry. I wasn’t thinking—and I know that’s not an excuse.

I seriously believed I could slip in and out and no one would be the wiser.

” His lungs inflate again. “I get that it was really freaking stupid. You would have come with me, I know you would have. I just…”

“You wanted your dad’s picture.” He slowly spins in my embrace, and I hold my breath as I shore up my courage to glance up at his face.

He’s really mad.

I really hurt him.

But when my gaze locks with his, when I stare into the beautiful hazel depths of his eyes, I don’t see the hurt or anger.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “When Dylan surprised me, I realized that my dad would never want me risking my life for a picture, realized how idiotic it was for me to have gone to the house.” I settle one hand over his heart.

“And I know you wouldn’t want that either, that you’d have done anything to stand between me and the person who was trying to hurt me.

” My fingers flex at the flare of emotions cascading across his face, but I have to finish this.

I have to make sure that he understands.

“I’ve done a lot of things in my life—both dumb and smart—and I’ve had so many wonderful opportunities, and I know that I’m incredibly lucky even despite what’s happened over the last couple of years?—”

He opens his mouth, but I gently press a finger to his lips, stifling his protest.

“But I know that I’m even luckier…because the universe brought me you.”

His eyes shimmer with tears, and I’m not doing any better.

“You’re more important than a picture, of course you are. And so is what we’re building. I’m sorry I went there and messed up so catastrophically that I risked myself and our future, but I’m even more sorry I let you think for a second that you aren’t the beautiful gift you are.”

“Princess,” he murmurs.

“I know I don’t have to ask your permission, and I was a giant jerk for saying that.

” My throat is tight, but I push out the next words.

Because he needs to know. Because he deserves them and so much more.

“You’ve given me freedom and love, understanding and kindness, and I know that I’ll need to work to rebuild the trust I broke, but I promise you that I’ll do whatever it takes to get there.

” I take a breath. “I’ll share my location.

I’ll take your advice on making sure I’m safe.

I’ll even carry a stun gun or take self-defense?—”

I don’t finish.

Because he’s brushing my hand away from his mouth, bending, and slanting his lips over mine.

Kissing me so deeply, so intensely, that my chest is heaving by the time he lifts his head.

And when he does that—even though I want him to keep on kissing me like that for eternity—relief pours through me.

Because he’s smiling.

Because his hazel eyes are gentle and filled with love instead of hurt.

And teasing, I realize a moment later.

“I saw what you did to him with that frame, baby,” he says, mouth curving as he lightly smooths a hand down my back. “I don’t think you need to worry about the self-defense classes.”

Laughter bubbles up in my chest.

But I hold it back.

I touch his cheek. “I’m serious, honey.”

He covers my hands with his own. “I know.” He brushes his lips lightly over my bandage. “And thank you for saying that. I…I know that my instinct to protect may be a little overbearing sometimes, so I don’t want you to hesitate to call me out on that, okay?”

I nod.

“And let’s talk to Ty. He can be a neutral party and come up with a plan to make sure you’re taking proper precautions…

he’ll make sure that I don’t take my protection detail too far.

” He touches the backs of his knuckles to my cheek.

“Because I know that I’m not always going to be rational when it comes to keeping you safe. ”

God, is it possible to love this man any more?

I don’t think so.

“Honey,” I whisper, heart thudding against my ribs.

“I won’t ever cage you, princess.” A beat. “I promise.”

“I know,” I tell him, love filling me to bursting. “Because you’re the first person to ever help me soar.”