Page 52 of When It Reins (Three Rivers Trevors Ranch #5)

juniper

Staring at the wooden slats in the ceiling above me, I take a full breath.

It’s been four days since the accident, and I finally talked Mitch into getting me out of the hospital just last night, begging for some form of normalcy.

When we did, we had nowhere we wanted to go.

My apartment is now tainted, a place I’m not sure I will ever feel comfortable returning to. Mitch’s cabin is gone, currently sitting in a pile of rubble, and just the thought of that makes a tear slide down my cheek.

Our families were more than happy to take us in, to take care of us, knowing what we’ve been through the last few months, but we wanted to be alone, wanted to finally just be us for a little while.

So Mitch found us a room at The Lodge, checking us in, getting us one of their newer suites they just finished, and helping me get settled. He ran a full bubble bath first, filling the water with a soothing smell and lighting candles to set the mood.

I could tell he needed to take care of me, that he was desperate to get me to relax, and I let him. I’m not the type who likes being taken care of. I like being the one who takes care of others, but just this once, I am happy to let him take charge.

Though I did require him to join me in the tub, which he happily obliged.

Now, he rests on the king-sized bed beside me, his breaths deep and full as he sleeps peacefully. I’m sure, like me, he is just now getting a full night’s rest after many sleepless nights.

I take in a breath, the tears gathering in my eyes again as I think over everything that’s happened this week. I can’t believe it has only been a week.

My injuries make my body feel sore and achy all over, but I close my eyes, grateful that I actually made it out alive.

I was sure that I wasn’t going to. I was sure that I was going to die that day, that I was seeing my last flashes of the earth when that car went over the side of the road.

Mitch takes in a breath, waking slowly and rolling over onto his side to look at me. His gaze is urgent for a moment before it settles on me and he relaxes, his hand reaching over and settling on my arm.

“You okay?” His voice is gravelly, and I turn to him, curling myself under his arm where he adjusts to hold me tight.

This is my favorite place to be in the world.

“I’m alive,” I say, my voice catching slightly as my eyes look up, searching his gaze.

He leans down, pressing a soft and tender kiss to my lips. His movements are coarse, and his fingers clench against the side of my head where he holds me to him. I feel his worry, his fear, his relief coursing through him at just this one tender moment.

He pushes another kiss to my lips, my tears slowing as I cuddle closer. I’m not sure how much closer I can get, but I am determined to burrow myself into his arms as tightly as I can.

“You’re safe,” he whispers against my lips. “You’re never going to be put in that situation again.” His eyes hit mine, and in them, I see that fierce protectiveness shining through. I sigh, relief slipping through my veins. “I’ll protect you.”

I give him a small smile and flutter my eyes, laughing at the thought in my head. “You’re never leaving my side again, are you?”

He smiles, looking down at me and wrapping his leg around mine. “Is that going to be a problem?”

My hand works its way up to his cheek, and my fingers rub over his scruff. The relief pours through me at the thought that I am here right now, that he is here holding me, and I’m not dreaming.

This is real.

“Not at all,” I answer on an exhale, letting myself bask in the sweet, comfortable silence between the two of us. My eyes close on their own, my body relaxing into the bed and his embrace.

After a few moments, I open my eyes to see him staring at me.

When he catches my gaze again, he smiles down at me.

I know he was stressed. I know that the last few months haven’t exactly been pleasant for us, but I am hoping and determined and excited to make the next few years of our lives the best they can be.

“I think I want to move,” I say out of the blue. My thoughts filter through all the things I want in my life.

“I would offer my cabin, but it might take a moment to rebuild,” he says, oddly calm about the situation. “But when that’s done, I was hoping I could convince you to come live with me.”

I let my mouth fall open, surprised by the offer, even though I’ve dreamed about it many times. Looking back up at him again, I say, “Really?”

His brows furrow, and he smiles quizzically at me. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

I shake my head, looking down at his chin and then to his eyes again. “I just know you like your solitude.”

He moves his fingers, tilting my chin up and looking at me again. “Starling, there is nothing I would like more than to have you with me every day for the rest of my life. I would love for you to move in with me.”

I lick my lips, swallowing down the emotion that threatens to bubble up once again. “I don’t think I’ve heard that many words from you before,” I say, laughing lightly.

“Is that a no?”

I shake my head. “That’s a yes. Of course.”

He presses forward, kissing my lips again and again, making me giggle until he pulls my body underneath his. The kisses turn more passionate, and his every movement shows me how much he loves me.

I moan, grasping his face and pulling his lips off my neck and pressing my mouth to his. My eyes open, and I stare up at him, smiling when I see that look of love in his eyes staring back at me.

“Thank you for being patient with me,” he whispers, shaking his head lightly. “I know I never made it easy.”

I move my head, pressing a kiss to his lips again and smiling at him. “Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

Mitch smiles, and with our future not on a precarious edge, with the future laid out in front of us and anything becoming possible again, I let myself lose myself in the man I love and finally let go.