Page 59 of SEAL's Patience

Patience nodded. “I will.”

Quinn stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching her. It felt like he was trying to see inside her. But she’d already poured her heart out to him. There was nothing left for her to share.

“C’mon, little doc. We have a lot to talk about.”

“Okay.” She followed him upstairs and into her room.

He closed the door behind her, then sat down beside her on the bed.

“I know I hurt you. It was never my intention, but no matter how hard I tried to push you away, I couldn’t. It was the truth when I said I didn’t have relationships. I’ve never had a girlfriend, never been on a date.”

“Really? I thought you were just saying that to get rid of me.”

“No, Patience, never. I won’t lie to you ever. You can count on that.”

She nodded as she watched the expressions change on his face. Her stomach knotted and goosebumps raised on her skin. Somehow, she knew she wouldn’t like what was coming next.

“My childhood wasn’t pretty. Actually, it was horrific. My father was an abusive drunk. He beat my mother and then me when I tried to get between them. It went on for years and either no one noticed, or they were afraid to get involved.”

“Oh, Quinn…”

“Please let me get this out and then I’ll answer your questions, okay?”

She nodded and wrapped her arms around her waist to keep from reaching for him.

“During my senior year of high school, I came home and found my mother lying in a pool of blood on the floor. My father was standing over her and just kicking her. I lost it and attacked him. By the time I calmed down, he was dead. I’d done to him what he’d done to her.

I checked them for a pulse, but they were both gone. I almost ran away, instead I called the police. I thought for sure I’d be going to jail for the rest of my life. But Theo’s parents stepped up. They were teachers in my high school. They fostered me until I was eighteen and I joined the Navy.”

“Oh my God.”

“I told you. I’m not a good man. You just never believed me. But, Patience, I want to be for you. I’m sure you don’t believe me, and I don’t blame you. All the times I pushed you away, tried to ignore you. You shouldn’t forgive me, but I hope you do.

I coped the only way I could by burying my emotions. It seemed like the only way, the safest way. I convinced myself I was the same as my father, that I’d hurt anyone I got close to, so I was afraid to take the chance.

Keeping to myself had worked for years. Until our last mission. The one we’d returned from before the blizzard. There was an incident on while we were in the field. I can’t tell you the details, it’s top secret, but it brought everything back. Reminded me of what I was—a monster—beyond redemption.

I don’t deserve you, Patience, but I want you more than life itself. You’re all the things I thought I could never have. I’ve never met a woman like you, one who is soft but tough as nails. Compassionate but ruthless. You’re perfect. And if you can forgive me, I swear I’ll cherish you for the rest of our lives. I promise, if you just give me a chance, you’ll never regret it. Unless it’s already too late. If you can’t look beyond the blood onmy hands, I understand. I’ll disappear from your life and never bother you again.”

Quinn got down on his knees in front of her, taking her hands in his. Gazing up at her with his gorgeous green eyes, she saw all the love and devotion he’d hidden for months. She also saw the shame and pain, too.

The tears she’d held in for so long escaped and slid down her cheeks. With one of his fingers, he wiped them away. Then he cupped the side of her face. Leaning up so they were eye level, the leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers, sharing her breath.

Livie would say she shouldn’t let him off the hook so easy. But that wasn’t Patience, it hurt her to see him suffering. To leave him hanging without knowing what she’d decide. Sure, she could have dragged it out, told him she needed to think about it. But she didn’t. She knew what she wanted.

“No, Quinn, I won’t forgive you.”

He pulled back and studied her face. The expressions crossed his face so quickly she couldn’t follow them all, until all she saw was sorrow. He thought he’d lost her. When he started to get up, she put her hand on his shoulder.

“Wait. Don’t you see? There is nothing to forgive. You were born a protector. You will always be one, and now you’re mine. I’m not letting go. I love you. I never stopped loving you. I was just waiting for you to realize you loved me back.”

Quinn pulled her into his arms, his lips slanting over hers, until she parted for him. His tongue slid into her mouth, rubbing against hers, claiming her breath. When he finally pulled back, and they were both panting.

“I love you, Patience. You’ve brought me light when I was living in darkness. I will stand beside you for the rest of our lives if you’ll have me.”

Nodding yes, she pulled him toward her for another kiss. Her heart nearly exploded with joy. Finally, after all the pain, worry, and fear, he was hers and she was his.

The End